Generators normally have specific wattage and the wattage determines the kind of freezer that the generator can power. In the same vein, freezers also have their starting and running wattage. To this end, for a generator, especially a solar generator, to power a freezer, such a generator must have wattage that is equal to or greater than the starting wattage of the freezer.
This means that if you want to buy a generator to power your freezer, you should know the wattage of your freezer so that you will be able to buy a generator that has enough wattage to run your freezer. If the generator that you buy has lower wattage than your freezer, it won’t be able to power it, hence leading to wastage of resources. As a sequel to that, we are going to show the starting and running wattage of freezers so that it will be a guide for you when buying a generator.
However, before we proceed with our discussion, it is important for us to note that there are different sizes of freezers—big and small; each has its wattage. The smaller freezers often have a small wattage, while the bigger freezers usually have a bigger wattage. In order to power these freezers, you must buy a bigger generator with higher wattage, especially for a deep freezer that has an electric motor.
Factors that Determine the Wattage Consumption of a Freezer
The freezer wattage is not fixed because there are many factors that contribute to the amount of watts that a freezer can consume. If you want to know your exact freezer wattage, you must take these factors into consideration. They include but are not limited to
- Size of the freezer: the higher the size, the higher the wattage it consumes
- Model of the Freezer: the older model consumes more wattage than these new models
- The temperature of the freezer, etc.
These and other factors play an important role in determining the wattage consumption of a freezer.
What Is Watt?
Before we continue our discussion on freezer wattage for generators, let’s look at what watt is all about.
According to wikipedia.org, a watt is the measure of the rate of energy transferred over a period of time. It is a unit of power and one watt is equal to one joule per second. Meanwhile, we have different wattages, like watt-hour (Wh), which measures the exact amount of energy for one hour. In relation to our topic of discussion, freezers have both starting and running wattages; let’s look at them briefly in the next section.
Freezer Starting and Running Wattage

Each freezer has both starting and running wattage; the starting wattage is usually higher. The reason why the freezer starting wattage is usually higher is that they contain electric motors that require greater wattage before they can start working.
In the simplest terms, starting wattage is the exact amount of energy that is needed to start an appliance–in this case, a freezer. On the other hand, running wattage is the amount of energy that an appliance (freezer) needs to run for an hour. Now that you know the difference between the starting and running wattage of the freezer, let’s proceed with our discussion where we will be hitting the nail on the head.
Freezer Wattage for Generator
As we stated earlier, freezer wattage consumption is not fixed; it varies depending on several factors. However, the average starting wattage of a freezer is between 1000 and 2000 watts, while the average running wattage is between 100 and 1000 watts. The starting wattage of freezers is usually 3 to 4 times higher than the running wattage.
This means that if you want to buy a generator for your freezer, you should go for the ones with a good wattage that would be suitable for it. If your freezer is small, you can buy a generator with lower wattage, but if it is bigger, you should opt for ones with higher wattage. In all, ensure that you get a generator whose wattage is a little above your freezer’s wattage.
How Many Watts to run a Fridge and Freezer
The amount of watts you need to run a fridge and freezer is not fixed; it varies depending on the size and models of the fridge and freezer. If the freezer is of small size and it is an energy-efficient model, it won’t consume lots of wattage, but if the fridge and freezer are of big size and old models, too, they will consume lots of energy. However, the average starting wattage for a freezer and fridge is 1000 and 2000 watts but the average running wattage ranges from 100 to 1000 watts.
FAQs
How many watts does a freezer use on a generator?
The amount of watts that a freezer uses on a generator is not fixed; it varies. But it ranges from 100 to 2000 watts depending on the size and model of the freezer.
Will a 2000-watt generator run a freezer?
Yes, a 2000-watt generator can run a freezer. In fact, it can run a freezer with other household appliances smoothly.
Will a 1000-watt generator run a freezer?
Yes, a 1000-watt generator can run a freezer without glitches. If the freezer is a new model, a 1000-watt generator will run it no matter its size.