What will it run / 3,000 W
What will a 3,000 watt generator run?
Taking the Honda EU3000iS as the example: it is rated 2,800 W running and 3,000 W max. In this site's outage order it carries 3 kinds of load at once — 788.2 W running, with room to start the biggest motor in the list for a total of 2,988.2 W — and it can start 21 of the 30 devices in the tables on their own.
Honda rates the EU3000iS at 2,800 W continuous and 3,000 W maximum, so the name again reflects the maximum. That 3,000 W is just over the 2,900 W a refrigerator needs to start by the Generac and EWEB tables, which makes it the smallest generator here that can start a fridge on its own.
Its 3.4-gallon tank runs 6.9 hours at rated load and 19.6 hours at a quarter load, according to Honda.
An outage list it can carry
| Load | Qty | Running W | Extra to start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator/freezer | 1 | 700 | 2,200 |
| CPAP machine (ResMed AirSense 11) | 1 | 73.2 | — |
| LED light bulb, 15 W | 1 | 15 | — |
| Total | 788.2 | + 2,200 = 2,988.2 |
The list is filled in a fixed order — refrigerator, sump pump, furnace fan, well pump, CPAP, lights and chargers, then television, laptop, microwave, coffee maker, space heater and window air conditioner — skipping anything that would push the running total past 2,800 W or the starting total past 3,000 W. It leaves 2,011.8 W of running capacity and 11.8 W of starting capacity unused. The highlighted row has the biggest starting surge, which is the one added to the running total.
What it can start on its own
Refrigerator/freezer; Sump pump, 1/3 hp; Well pump, 1/3 hp; Furnace fan blower, 1/3 hp; Microwave, 1,000 W; Coffee maker; Toaster; Toaster oven; Air fryer; Slow cooker; Electric range, one 8-inch element; Dishwasher; Space heater; CPAP machine (ResMed AirSense 11); Oxygen concentrator (Philips EverFlo); LED light bulb, 15 W; Television, LED; Laptop; Desktop computer with monitor; Cell phone charger; AM/FM radio.
Too big even alone: Sump pump, 1/2 hp (3,200 W to start); Well pump, 1/2 hp (3,100 W to start); Furnace fan blower, 1/2 hp (3,175 W to start); Garage door opener, 1/2 hp (3,225 W to start); Washing machine (3,450 W to start); Window air conditioner, 12,000 BTU (7,200 W to start); Central air conditioner, 24,000 BTU (2 ton) (8,750 W to start); Heat pump (9,200 W to start); Electric water heater (4,500 W to start).
A refrigerator and a 1/2 hp sump pump together need 1,750 W running and 3,950 W to start — more than this generator's max rating.
Compared with the other sizes
Run time: 19.6 hours at 1/4 load, 6.9 hours at rated load from a 3.4-gallon tank, by the maker's figures. Keep it outdoors at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents (why).
Ratings: Honda Power Equipment, EU3000iS specifications. Appliance figures: Generac GP brochure, EWEB and Champion tables (see methodology). Other sizes: 2,200 W · 5,000 W · 7,000 W · 7,500 W · 9,500 W.