How to Choose the Right Whole Home Generator for Your East Tennessee Home
- Luke Dalton
- Jul 21
- 2 min read
When it comes to protecting your home in Knoxville, Cleveland, or Chattanooga from unexpected power outages, a Generac whole home generator is one of the best investments you can make. But here’s the catch — not all generators are created equal, and size really matters.
Choosing a generator that’s too small means it might not power your entire home when you need it most. Choose one that’s too big, and you could overspend on equipment and fuel. That’s why homeowners across East Tennessee turn to McCay Southern Generators for expert guidance.
Why Generator Size Matters
A properly sized home standby generator ensures:
Reliable Power Supply – Enough capacity to handle your essential appliances, HVAC, lighting, and devices.
Efficiency – Optimized fuel consumption without wasted output.
Longevity – Reduced strain on the system, extending its life and reducing repair costs.
Factors to Consider When Sizing a Generator
Your Home’s Square FootageLarger homes with more electrical systems require more generator capacity.
Essential vs. Whole-Home CoverageDo you want to power just your essentials (fridge, heat, lights) or your entire home — including HVAC, water heater, and more?
Appliance Start-Up PowerMany appliances require more wattage to start than to run. An HVAC system, for example, may have a surge demand 2–3 times its running wattage.
Future-ProofingPlanning on adding a pool, workshop, or electric vehicle charger? Factor in potential future power needs now.
How McCay Southern Makes It Simple
When you schedule a Free Home Power Assessment with us, we:
Evaluate Your Power Needs – We calculate the starting and running watts of all critical systems.
Recommend the Right Generac Model – No guesswork — just data-backed recommendations.
Handle All Installation Logistics – From permits to testing, we do it all.
Provide Ongoing Maintenance – Our generator service in East Tennessee keeps your system ready year-round.
Real Example: Sizing It Right in Chattanooga
Tom and Linda from Chattanooga wanted their generator to handle everything from the AC to their deep freezer. After a full assessment, we recommended and installed a 22kW Generac whole home generator, ensuring their home stays fully powered even during extended outages.
“It’s perfect — we can run everything without worrying about overloading the system. The team made it so easy.” — Linda S.
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Ready to Find Your Perfect Generator Fit?
Choosing the right generator size isn’t guesswork — it’s planning for peace of mind. Let McCay Southern Generators help you make the right call before the next storm rolls through.
Call 423-455-5336 or schedule your Free Home Power Assessment today.
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