Jeremy, Julian, and Logan were very professional, on time, courteous, informative and work areas were all cleaned up. We will definitely hire them again. They installed a whole house generator.
Thanks again guys!
What Size Generator Do I Need for My Milwaukee-Area Home?
The right generator size for your Milwaukee-area home depends on whether you want to power essentials like your sump pump and fridge or your entire house, typically ranging from 7–12kW for basic needs to 20–30kW for whole-home coverage. As Southeast Wisconsin’s trusted master electricians, Ideal Electric has helped homeowners stay powered through storms and outages since 1985. View our generator sizing chart below to find the perfect fit for you.
Contact Ideal Electric today for a free Milwaukee generator estimate.
Home Generator Sizing Chart for Milwaukee Homes
Use our home generator sizing chart to find the right generator capacity for your Milwaukee-area home. Whether you need emergency backup or whole-house power, our chart shows recommended wattage ranges based on home size and power needs.
| Home Size (sq. ft.) | Essentials Only (kW) | Essentials + AC (kW) | Whole Home (kW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000–2,000 | 7–10 | 12–16 | 18–22 |
| 2,000–3,000 | 10–12 | 14–18 | 22–26 |
| 3,000+ | 12–14 | 16–20 | 26–30+ |
Pro Tip: Older homes may need a load calculation due to outdated wiring.
What Size Generator Do I Need for Home Emergencies?
For Milwaukee homeowners facing power outages, an emergency backup generator in the range of 7–12 kW can keep critical appliances such as sump pumps, refrigerators and lights running. If you need to power a furnace, well pump or small window AC unit, consider a 7–10 kW generator.
For central AC, opt for 14–16 kW. Ideal Electric’s master electricians can perform a load calculation to ensure your emergency setup meets your needs, especially during lake-effect storms or winter freezes. Get a same-day emergency generator quote in Milwaukee.
Portable vs. Standby Generators: Which Size Is Right for You?
- Portable Generators (3–10 kW): Ideal for short-term emergency use, such as powering a refrigerator, sump pump or lights. Use around 3–5 kW for minimal loads and 7–10 kW for larger loads like a window AC
- Standby Generators: Permanently installed, automatic and ideal for whole-home or essential backup.
Why Milwaukee Homes Need the Right Generator Size
Milwaukee’s weather and infrastructure demand reliable backup power:
Lake-Effect Storms & Winter Freezes: Prioritize sump pumps and HVAC to prevent flooding or frozen pipes.
Home Size & Age: Smaller to medium-sized homes (1,500–2,500 sq. ft.) need 7–12 kW for essentials, 12–18 kW for essentials plus AC or 18–26 kW for whole-home coverage. Larger homes (3,000+ sq. ft.) need 12–14 kW for essentials, 16–20 kW for essentials plus AC or 26–30+ kW for whole-home coverage.
Fuel Type: Standby generators (natural gas/propane) offer automatic backup, while portable units are budget-friendly but manual.
Sizing and Installing a Home Generator FAQs
What size generator do I need for my Milwaukee home?
For essentials like a sump pump and fridge, a 7–12 kW generator is enough. For essentials plus central AC, choose 12–18 kW. For whole-home coverage, opt for 20–30 kW, depending on the size of your home.
How do I size a portable generator for emergencies?
3–5 kW for small appliances, 7–10 kW for larger loads like a window AC or 10–16 kW for central AC or multiple appliances.
Why choose Ideal Electric for Milwaukee generator installation?
Ideal Electric offers 40+ years of experience, 24/7 emergency service and BBB-certified installations. As a Generac authorized dealer, we offer reliable, code-compliant generator installation for Milwaukee homes.
Milwaukee Generator Installation by Ideal Electric
As Southeast Wisconsin’s trusted electricians, Ideal Electric specializes in Generac generator installations for Milwaukee homes. Our master electrician-led team provides code-compliant sizing and seamless setup, backed by 30+ years of experience and 24/7 emergency service. From Wauwatosa to Lake Drive, we’ve installed over 100 standby generators to keep families safe during outages. Have a question? Contact Ideal Electric today.
Don't just take our word for it!
Jeremy and Julian are great. Happy to have a Generac generator! Thanks so much fellas!
DanMarko
I've had two great experiences with Jeremy and Ideal Electric, the most recent was installing a whole house generator. Not only was Jeremy able to do the job substantially cheaper than some of the bigger names, but he did an excellent job, and I can tell that he really cares about the quality of his work and taking care of his customers. I would 100% trust him for all my future electrical needs - I have total confidence that he'll do the job well, and at a fair price.
Ray Kramer
Ideal Electric installed a Generac home generator. The installation was completed in one day with minimal interruption. We were pleased with Jeremy and his crew.
Steve Miscikowski
Jeremy and Julian did an amazing job installing some light fixtures and getting my generator up and running at a reasonable price. Jeremy is very communicative, dependable and always answered my phone calls, which is a rare thing to see nowadays. Would highly recommend Ideal Electric.
Ravi N V
Ideal Electric has been fantastic to work with. Home electrical projects and also repaired our home generator. Very responsive, easy to schedule, very professional and thorough. Highly Recommend!