Use case
Backup power for a tiny home
Tiny homes pack big loads into small spaces. Electric water heating and AC dominate; consider propane for heat/hot water to shrink the generator you need.
Running
6,760W
Peak surge
8,840W
Recommend
11,000W
The window ac (12k btu) drives the peak here, surging when it starts. Sizing for the running total plus that single largest surge — not the sum of every surge — gives a realistic 11,000W (11.0kW) recommendation.
Typical loads for a tiny home
| Load | Running | Starting |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 160W | 480W |
| Household lights (LED) | 200W | 200W |
| Window AC (12k BTU) | 1300W | 3380W |
| Microwave (1000W) | 1000W | 1000W |
| Electric water heater | 4000W | 4000W |
| Phone/laptop charging | 100W | 100W |
Size your exact setup
Common questions
What size generator do I need for a tiny home?
For this typical load set, about a 11,000W (11.0kW) class covers it — that's 6,760W running plus the largest startup surge (from the window ac (12k btu)), with a 20% margin.
Can I run more than this?
Yes — this is a representative set. Add or remove loads in the load sizer to match your exact situation and get an updated number.