[Rusty Heap]

Add up all the wattage of stuff you want to run, 1200 watt blow dryer takes 10 amps at 120 volts.

Figure on allowing induction motors like refridgerators starting up, or A/C units to double the current draw on motor start up.

Thirsty things in your house, are microwaves (about 1500 watts), fridge/freezers about 700-800 running and 1500 surge on start up, TV is about 700 watts.

The biggest thing is NOISE, most the ~cheap 5KW-8KW generators in the $500-1000 range are damn loud, obnoxious loud. Better to buy a quiet honda and spend $2000-2500 on it. I live on 5 acres and even with my generator 150 away from the house I can hear it inside.

Also you need to figure out how to wire it into your house. Per code, you'll need a gen-tran switch, where you dedicate 10-12 circuits in your house to an A/B selector switch to switch between Line power and your generator. You can "cheat" and back feed into a 220 VAC dryer outlet, or other 220 VAC big plug like my Arc Welder out in my shop. JUST BE SURE to always disconnect your main 200 amp breaker to isolate your house from the street power lines.

Wire it up safe and use common sense. Noise is something that many people don't consider.