Will a 2000-Watt Generator Run an Air Conditioner?
Many people wonder what is the required size of the power generator in order to run an air conditioner without any power issues.
2000-watt inverter generators are popular, compact, and affordable portable units that are used in many situations, leading to the question, will a 2000 watt generator run an air conditioner in the case of a power outage?
Published: July 23, 2022.
Air Conditioner Power Requirements
Air conditioners are coming in various sizes, cooling/heating technologies, efficiency classes, etc.
Most popular units that are often powered by power generators, inverters, and even sometimes with power stations are window air conditioners and RC air conditioners.
The following charts list the power requirements of various home appliances, tools, gadgets, and other devices that are often powered by portable generators:
Home
|
Job Site
Office
Recreation/Outdoor
|
As one can see, most common AC units require:
- RV Air Conditioner 7.000 BTU: 900 Running Watts, 1700 Starting Watts,
- RV Air Conditioner 10.000 BTU: 1200 Running Watts, 2000 Starting Watts,
- RV Air Conditioner 13.500 BTU: 1600 Running Watts, 2500 Starting Watts,
- RV Air Conditioner 15.000 BTU: 1700 Running Watts, 2700 Starting Watts,
- Window Air Conditioner 5.000 BTU: 600 Running Watts, 900 Starting Watts,
- Window Air Conditioner 10.000 BTU: 1200 Running Watts, 1800 Starting Watts,
- Window Air Conditioner 12.000 BTU: 1500 Running Watts, 2300 Starting Watts,
- Window Air Conditioner 15.000 BTU: 1900 Running Watts, 2900 Starting Watts.
Few notes:
- these are just wattage general values. As the AC units are improved, so is their efficiency - for example, there are many 10.000 BTU window air conditioners that require less than 900 running watts (value of 1200 Watts is listed in the table). To be absolutely sure about the wattage of your AC unit, the best thing to do is to check its label/documentation - if such information is not present (it should be!), contact the manufacturer directly.
- Running Watts vs. Starting Watts: when AC units start, they require more power in the first few moments (Starting Watts), after which power requirement decreases to the normal value (Running Watts).
Most Popular 2000-Watt Portable Generators
The following chart lists some of the most popular 2000-Watt portable inverter generators and their most important features, including Running Watts, Starting Watts, and Runtime on the single full gas tank:
| Model |
Running Watts Starting Watts |
Runtime | Noise |
Receptacle Review |
| A-iPower SC2400iP |
1900W 2400W |
10h @25% | 52 dB @25% |
AC: L5-30R 120V (includes L5-30P to TT-30R adaptor), 5-20R (Duplex) 120V; DC: 2x USB 2.4A 5V DC, 12V 8.3A |
| A-iPower SUA2000iV |
1600W 2000W |
4h @100% 7h @50% |
58 dB @50% 68 dB @75% |
AC: 120V 20A 5-20R, 120V 30A L5-30R; DC: 12V - |
| A-iPower SUA2300iV |
1800W 2300W |
6.5h @50% |
52 dB @25% 58 dB @50% |
AC: 120V 20A 5-20R, 120V 30A L5-30R; DC: 12V 8.3A, USB 5V - |
| Briggs & Stratton P2200 |
1700W 2200W |
8h @25% | 59 dB @25% |
AC: 20A 120V Duplex; DC: 12V, USB Adapter |
| Briggs & Stratton P3000 |
2600W 3000W |
10h @25% | 58 dB @25% |
AC: 20A 120V Quad, 120V 30A L5-30R; DC: 12V, 1x USB - |
| Champion 2000W Model 73536i |
1700W 2000W |
9.5h @25% | 53 dB @25% |
AC: 20A 120V Duplex; DC: 12V |
| Champion 2000W Model #100692 |
1700W 2000W |
11.5h @25% | 53 dB @25% |
AC: 20A 120V Duplex; DC: 12V - |
| Generac 7117 GP2200i |
1700W 2200W |
10.75h @25% 7h @50% |
? |
AC: 20A 120V Duplex; DC: 12V, USB 5V/1.5A - |
| Generac GP3000i |
2300W 3000W |
4.5h @50% 5.8h @25% |
? |
AC: 120V 20A Duplex, 120V 30A L5-30R; DC: two USB ports (5V/2.1A, 5V/1A) - |
| Honda EU2000i |
1600W 2000W |
8h @25% | 50 dB @25% |
AC: 20A 120V Duplex; DC: 12V - |
| Honda EU2200i |
1800W 2200W |
3.2h @100% 8.1h @25% |
48 dB @25% 57 dB @100% |
AC: 20A 120V Duplex; DC: 12V 100W (8.3 Amps) - |
| Honda EU3000IS |
2800W 3000W |
20h @25% | 50 dB @25% |
AC: 120V 20A Duplex, 120V 30A L5-30R - |
| WEN 56200i |
1600W 2000W |
9.4h @25% | 51 dB @25% |
AC: 20A 120V Duplex; DC: 12V (8.3 Amps), USB 5V - |
| WEN 56203i |
1700W 200W |
10.8h @25% 7h @50% |
51 dB @25% |
AC: 20A 120V Duplex; DC: 12V (8.3 A), 2x USB 5V (1A, 2.1A) |
| WEN 56225i |
1800W 2250W |
6h @50% | 53 dB @25% |
AC: 20A 120V Duplex; DC: 2x USB 5V |
| WEN 56235i |
1900W 2350W |
10.5h @25% | 51 dB @25% |
AC: 15A 120V NEMA 5-20R Duplex; DC: 12V, USB 5V (2.1A, 1A) - |
| Westinghouse iGen2200 |
1800W 2200W |
12h @25% | 52 dB @25% |
AC: 20A 120V Duplex; DC: 2x USB 5V - |
| Westinghouse iGen2600 |
2200W 2600W |
10h @25% | 52 dB @25% |
AC: 20A 120V Duplex; DC: 12V, 2x USB 5V |
| Westinghouse WH2200iXLT |
1800W 2200W |
13h @25% | 52 dB @25% |
AC: 20A 120V Duplex; DC: 12V - |
| Yamaha EF2000iSv2 |
1600W 2000W |
10.5h @25% | 51.5 dB @25% |
AC: 120V Duplex; DC: 12V 8A - |
| Yamaha EF2400iSHC |
2000W 2400W |
8.6h @25% | 53 dB @25% |
AC: 120V Duplex: DC: 12V 8A - |
Note: Amazon affiliate links (the 'Model' column) open in the new windows, feel free to check them for the most up-to-date offers and prices.
As one can see, most of these power generators are strong enough to comfortably provide power to the 10.000 BTU RV Air Conditioner and to the 12.000 BTU Window Air Conditioner, with some generators being able to support even larger AC units.
Again, check the actual power rating of the AC unit you have - there are many AC models, AC efficiency classes, features, etc. leading to different power requirements.
For short: Will a 2000 watt generator run an air conditioner? Generally, YES, just be sure to check the actual power requirements of your AC unit and only then choose strong enough power generator.
Note: just in case, 'Parallel Ready' is a great feature of most modern power generators, allowing two units to be connected in parallel for doubling the output power - can be of great help. Or, if You need even more power, consider stronger portable generators.
