I bought my first generator, 5500 watts, years ago in FL to run an air compressor for a roofing nailer to put a new roof on my wife's rental house. It came in very handy when Ivan, and the next one, rolled through. Ran the basics, fridge, freezer, washer, stove, and water heater but not all at once. Funny thing is I have four generators now living in BFE New Mexico and in the eleven years we've lived here the power's never been off long enough to need to use one.