How many watts does a Mini-Split Heat Pump (1-ton) use?

A Mini-Split Heat Pump (1-ton) draws 1,200 watts continuously once it's running, but its motor needs a brief surge of up to 3,000 watts to start. A generator has to cover that starting surge, not just the running load, or the motor won't start. Modern mini-splits use inverter-driven compressors with electronic soft-ramp starts, not the hard locked-rotor surge a fixed-speed compressor has — no manufacturer publishes LRA for these, and a soft-start device (built for fixed-speed motors) doesn't apply here. This multiplier-based figure likely overstates the real momentary draw.

Running it 8 hours/day costs roughly $48.96/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

• Champion 3500-Watt Inverter (100571)
  2,300 W run · 3,500 W start · ~$699
• Honda EU3200i
  2,600 W run · 3,200 W start · ~$2,799
• Champion 4000W Dual Fuel Inverter (201050)
  3,000 W run · 4,000 W start · ~$749

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