How many watts does a Air Compressor (1/3 HP) use?

A Air Compressor (1/3 HP) draws 900 watts continuously once it's running, but its motor needs a brief surge of up to 2,000 watts to start. A generator has to cover that starting surge, not just the running load, or the motor won't start.

Running it 0.5 hours/day costs roughly $2.30/month at the U.S. average residential rate (~$0.17/kWh, early 2026, per the EIA) — real rates vary a lot by state and utility. Use your own rate in the House calculator →

Generators that can run this

• Generac GP2200i
  1,700 W run · 2,200 W start · ~$550
• Champion 2000-Watt Inverter (100692)
  1,700 W run · 2,000 W start · ~$450
• Honda EU2200i
  1,800 W run · 2,200 W start · ~$1,150

Prices as of July 2026 — check the current listing before buying.