Whether you’re planning a wedding, a corporate gathering, or a festive celebration, choosing the right generator rental is crucial. This guide will walk you through calculating the size of the generator you’ll need, provide typical wattages for commonly used items, and offer a free downloadable guide to help you manage your event’s power requirements like a pro. Get ready to light up your event without a hitch!
Generator Size Calculator
Use the calculator below to determine the generator size you will need to power your rentals. We’ll tell you what size you need and the average daily rental price for the generator.
Generator Size Calculator
Select the items you plan to power. We’ll add the total running watts plus the single highest surge watts to recommend a generator size.
Total running watts: 0 W
Highest surge watts: 0 W
Estimated watts needed: 0 W
How to Calculate What Size Generator Rental You’ll Need
To find out what size generator you will need for your event, do the following:
- Compile a list of all of the items that require power during your event.
- Add the total watts required for the items that will be running simultaneously.
- Add the maximum surge watts you will need. Surge watts are typically what is needed to start the product. For example, once a small bounce house is blown up, it only needs 800 watts to run. But, while it is blowing up, it needs 1955 watts. Note: you do NOT add the total surge watts across all your items. Just add the highest surge watts to the total running watts (not all of your items will surge at once).
Below is a list of average watts needed for commonly rented items. Please note: these are averages only. To be safe, find out the watts needed for the specific item you are renting. Download Generator Worksheet.
| Powered Item | Average Running Watts Needed | Surge Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Small String Lights (50-string) | 20 | 0 |
| TV / Large Screen | 500 | 0 |
| Computer | 800 | 0 |
| Arcade Game | 200 | 0 |
| Small Appliances | 350 | 500 |
| Box Fan | 300 | 600 |
| AC /Heating (13,500 BTU) | 1600 | 2300 |
| Small Power Tools | 440 | 600 |
| Small Bounce House (1 HP Blower) | 805 | 1955 |
| Bounce House / Slide Combo (1.5 HP Blower) | 1035 | 2000 |
| Large Inflatable Slides or Obstacle Course (2 HP Blower) | 1610 | 2000 |
| Popcorn, Cotton Candy or Snow Cone Machine | 2100 | 0 |
| Margarita Machine | 650 | 0 |
Once you have the total running watts, add the highest surge value in the surge column to determine the generator rental size you need. For example, if you are renting a small bounce house and a cotton candy machine, you need a total of 1455 running watts. The bounce house will need a power surge to inflate, so add 1955. The total watts needed is 3410. I’d recommend the 3500-watt generator.
If you’d like to have this list handy as a printable, fill out the form below to get this beautiful printable sheet with a summary of the info above:
Common Generator Rental Sizes + Price
Below are common generator rental sizes and their average rental costs.
| Generator | Avg. Cost to Rent Generator Per Day |
|---|---|
| 2000 watt | $70 |
| 3000 watt | $90 |
| 3500 watt | $100 |
| 7000 watt | $180 |
| 7500 watt | $150 |
Annoying Caveat: Most generators only have 2 – 20 amp breakers, which will limit the number of items you can plug into it. Bounce house vendors, for example, typically only allow one bounce house per breaker. Need help figuring it out? Email us info@reventals.com.
Pro tip: Generators can be VERY loud. If you are concerned about noise levels, it is definitely worth paying a little more for a generator designed to be quiet.
Safety Rules for Generator Rentals
Generators are incredibly useful for powering events, but they must be used correctly to ensure the safety of all attendees. Here are essential safety rules to follow when using generators:
- Operate Outdoors Only: Generators should always be placed outdoors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Ensure they are away from windows, doors, and vents to avoid fumes entering enclosed spaces.
- Use on Stable, Dry Surfaces: Position the generator on a flat, dry surface to prevent accidental tipping or exposure to moisture. This reduces the risk of electric shock and enhances operational safety.
- Maintain Adequate Ventilation: Keep the area around the generator well-ventilated. Good airflow helps prevent overheating and reduces the risk of fire.
- Fuel Safety: Never refuel a generator while it is running or hot. Allow it to cool down first. Store fuel in an approved container, away from any source of heat or flame.
- Emergency Shut-off: Be familiar with how to quickly shut down the generator in case of emergency. Ensure all users know the location of the off switch.
Other blogs you might find helpful while you are in party planning mode:
Table Sizes and Seating: How Many People Will Fit?!?
What Size Tablecloth Do I Need
Calculating Dance Floor Size + Average prices in Austin
