Use the following table as a guide, or check your owners' manuals. And remember: starting an appliance with a motor inside requires more power. Your generator must be sized to handle not only the running wattages of your appliances but also the starting wattage of any motor(s).

* For motorized equipment, multiply running wattages by 2.5 (for most items, such as furnace fans), or by 7 for pumps (such as well pumps, air compressors and air conditioners).

Other electrically powered equipment such as emergency medical devices, computers and sophisticated electronic equipment may require special backup or power conditioning equipment. Check your manual or with the manufacturer directly for more information.