How many watts does a Mini-Split Heat Pump (2-ton) use?

A Mini-Split Heat Pump (2-ton) draws 2,000 watts continuously once it's running, but its motor needs a brief surge of up to 4,500 watts to start. A generator has to cover that starting surge, not just the running load, or the motor won't start. Same inverter-compressor caveat as the 1-ton unit: no published LRA exists, a soft starter doesn't apply to these, and this figure likely overstates the real momentary draw.

Running it 8 hours/day costs roughly $81.60/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

• Westinghouse iGen4500
  3,700 W run · 4,500 W start · ~$950
• Champion 3800-Watt Dual Fuel (201393)
  3,800 W run · 4,750 W start · ~$550
• Honda EM5000SX
  4,500 W run · 5,000 W start · ~$2,799

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