You need a minimum of 2,000 watts (starting) to run a standard refrigerator and freezer simultaneously. A 2,200W inverter generator like the Honda EU2200i handles both comfortably, while a 3,500W generator gives you enough headroom to add lights, a phone charger, and a fan on top of the fridge and freezer.
The key is understanding that your fridge and freezer need far more power to start their compressors (800–1,500W surge for each) than they do to keep running (100–400W each). Sizing for starting watts, not running watts, is what prevents your generator from tripping its overload breaker at 2 AM when the compressor kicks on.
Interactive Generator Sizing Calculator
Use our calculator to determine the right generator size for your specific appliances:
Refrigerator and Freezer Wattage Data
How to find your exact wattage: Look for the nameplate sticker on your fridge or freezer — usually inside the door, on the back, or behind the kick plate. It lists the amps and volts. Multiply amps × volts for running watts. For starting watts, multiply the running watts by 3 (a safe estimate for compressor surge).
Recommended Generator Size
How Sizing Works
When calculating your generator size, you do not simply add all starting watts together. Compressors do not all start at the same time. Here is the method:
Add all running watts for everything you want to power simultaneously. Then add the single largest starting surge from any one appliance. That total is your minimum generator size. Finally, add a 20% safety margin for reliable operation.
Example — Fridge + Chest Freezer + 5 LED Lights + Phone Charger:
- Fridge running: 150W
- Chest freezer running: 100W
- 5 LED lights: 50W
- Phone charger: 15W
- Total running: 315W
- Largest starting surge: fridge compressor at 1,200W (adds 1,050W over running)
- Peak need: 1,365W
- With 20% margin: 1,638W → A 2,000W inverter generator handles this easily.
Example — Fridge + Upright Freezer + Sump Pump + Furnace Blower:
- Fridge running: 200W
- Upright freezer running: 200W
- Sump pump (½ HP) running: 1,050W
- Furnace blower running: 700W
- Total running: 2,150W
- Largest starting surge: sump pump at 2,150W (adds 1,100W)
- Peak need: 3,250W
- With 20% margin: 3,900W → A 4,000–5,000W generator is recommended.
Example — Two Refrigerators + Chest Freezer (Second Home/Garage):
- Main fridge running: 200W
- Garage fridge running: 200W
- Chest freezer running: 100W
- Total running: 500W
- Largest starting surge: either fridge at 1,200W (adds 1,000W)
- Peak need: 1,500W
- With 20% margin: 1,800W → A 2,200W inverter handles three cold appliances.
How Long Does Food Last Without Power?
Understanding food safety timelines helps you decide whether you even need to run the generator continuously or if you can cycle it.
The cycling strategy: You do not need to run the fridge and freezer 24/7 on a generator. Run the generator for 1–2 hours to cool the fridge below 35°F and the freezer below -5°F, then turn it off. A well-sealed fridge stays safe for 4–6 hours; a full freezer stays frozen for 48+ hours. This can cut your fuel consumption by 50–75%.
ENERGY STAR Refrigerators Use Less Generator Power
Older refrigerators (pre-2010) can use 2–3x more electricity than modern ENERGY STAR models. If your fridge is over 15 years old, it may be pulling 400–600W running — pushing you into larger generator territory.
Special Considerations
Refrigerators with Ice Makers and Water Dispensers
Models with ice makers and through-door water/ice dispensers use 15–25% more electricity than basic models. The water valve, dispenser motor, and ice maker heater add intermittent loads. Budget an extra 30–50W of running watts for these features.
Garage or Outdoor Refrigerators
Fridges in hot garages or outdoors work harder to maintain temperature, especially in summer. A fridge in a 100°F garage may draw 30–50% more power than the same fridge in a climate-controlled kitchen. Size your generator accordingly.
Deep Freezers with Large Quantities of Meat
A chest freezer packed full of frozen meat acts as a thermal battery — it stays frozen much longer than a half-empty freezer. If your freezer is full, you may only need to run the generator for 2–3 hours per day to keep everything frozen.
Using a Soft-Start Device
If your generator is borderline on starting watts, a compressor soft-start device (also called a hard-start kit) can reduce the compressor's starting surge by 50–70%. A $30–$80 device installed on your fridge or freezer can make the difference between a successful start and a tripped breaker. The Micro-Air EasyStart is a popular option for RV and generator use.
Key Takeaways:
- A standard fridge needs 100–200W running and 800–1,200W starting.
- A chest freezer needs 50–200W running and 500–1,100W starting.
- A 2,200W inverter generator (like Honda EU2200i) handles a fridge + freezer + lights.
- For fridge + freezer + sump pump or well pump, you need 3,500–5,000W.
- Always size for the largest starting surge, not total running watts.
- You can cycle the fridge/freezer 1–2 hours on, 4–6 hours off, to save 50–75% on fuel.
- A full freezer stays frozen 48–72 hours without power (door closed).
- Modern ENERGY STAR fridges use half the power of models from 15+ years ago.
- A soft-start device ($30–$80) can reduce compressor surge by 50–70%.
Frequently Asked Questions
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