What Size Generator Does Your CT Home Need?
Six quick questions — home size, well pump, heat type, central AC, EV charger — and you get a real recommendation: 14 kW, 22 kW, 24 kW, or 32 kW+ liquid-cooled, with the same installed price ranges we publish in our CT generator cost guide. Built by Tyler Faye, CT-licensed master electrician (E1-0209943) and authorized Generac & Kohler installer serving Tolland County and Eastern Connecticut.
1. How big is your home?
2. Are you on a private well?
3. Do you have a septic pump?
4. How do you heat the house?
5. Back up central AC?
6. EV charger to back up?
Recommended standby generator size
14 kW
Essentials / smaller home — $8,000–$11,000 installed
Covers the essentials — well pump, fridge, furnace, sump, and lights — in a smaller home with a light heating load. Generac or Kohler.
Typical installed range — generator, transfer switch, labor, permit & inspection included; confirmed with a free load calculation on site.
Generator Sizing FAQ
What size generator do I need for my CT home?+
For most Connecticut homes: a 14 kW unit covers the essentials in a smaller home, a 22 kW backs up a whole home without central AC, a 24 kW backs up everything including central air, and large homes over 4,000 sq ft or homes with electric heat usually need a 32 kW+ liquid-cooled unit. The deciding factor is a load calculation — home size, well pump, heat type, AC, and EV charging all move the number — which is why we confirm every recommendation with a free on-site load calculation.
What is the difference between a 14 kW, 22 kW, and 24 kW generator?+
A 14 kW runs the essentials — well pump, fridge, furnace, sump pump, and lights — in a smaller home ($8,000–$11,000 installed). A 22 kW backs up the whole house except central air, and a 24 kW adds central AC on top; both run $11,500–$16,500 installed in Connecticut. Every range includes the generator, automatic transfer switch, labor, permit, and inspection.
Does a well pump change what size generator I need?+
Yes. A well pump is a hard-start load — it draws a big surge of power every time it kicks on — and it has to be on the backed-up panel, because without it you have no water in an outage. We size the generator for the pump’s startup surge, not just its running watts, which can push a borderline home up a tier.
Do you install generators in my part of Connecticut?+
TJF Electric installs Generac and Kohler standby generators across Tolland County and Eastern Connecticut. Tyler Faye, CT-licensed master electrician (E1-0209943), runs every job, estimates are free and same-day, and all work carries a 10-year written workmanship guarantee.
Want the money side? See the complete CT generator cost guide, run the generator cost calculator, or go straight to our generator installation service.
Get the exact size, free
The free on-site load calculation pins down your real number — well pump surge, heat load, AC, EV — and the quote you get is the price you pay. Available 24/7, free same-day estimates, 10-year written workmanship guarantee.
(860) 847-8047