What Is a Load Calculation?

The process a licensed electrician uses to determine how much electrical capacity (measured in kW) your home actually needs from a generator, based on the specific circuits and appliances you want backed up during an outage — not a square-footage estimate. A proper load calculation reviews your electrical panel's circuit list and accounts for both continuous loads (refrigerator, lighting) and high-draw starting loads (AC compressors, well pumps) to recommend an appropriately sized system.