Clothes Iron Wattage for Generator Sizing
About the Clothes Iron
A standard clothes iron with a resistive heating element and steam function. Irons draw significant power for their size but have no starting surge. The heating element cycles on and off to maintain the set temperature, so actual average power draw may be lower than the rated wattage. While not essential during short outages, an iron may be needed for professional clothing preparation or for home-based businesses.
Generator Sizing for a Clothes Iron
Running a clothes iron by itself requires a generator with at least 1,500 W of capacity (2 kW), which includes a 25% safety margin. However, you rarely run a single appliance on a generator. When combined with other appliances, the clothes iron contributes 1,200 W to the continuous running load.
The clothes iron is a resistive load, meaning it uses a heating element or simple electronic circuit rather than a motor. Resistive loads draw the same wattage from the moment they turn on until they turn off, with no starting surge. This makes them the easiest type of appliance to run on a generator. When calculating your total generator load, the clothes iron adds a flat 1,200 W to your running total with no impact on peak surge calculations. Resistive loads also produce a power factor of 1.0, meaning they use electricity very efficiently with no wasted reactive power.
To determine the total generator size you need, use our interactive calculator to combine the clothes iron with your other appliances. The calculator automatically handles the starting surge calculation and applies the 25% safety margin to give you an accurate recommendation. Alternatively, browse the scenarios below to see common generator setups that include the clothes iron.
Tips for Running a Clothes Iron on a Generator
Running a clothes iron on a generator is straightforward since it is a purely resistive load. There are no special starting procedures or surge considerations. Simply ensure your generator's continuous (rated) wattage exceeds 1,200 W plus the wattage of all other appliances running simultaneously.
Since the clothes iron draws a constant 1,200 W whenever it is operating, you can accurately predict generator fuel consumption. At typical generator fuel efficiencies, running the clothes iron continuously adds approximately 0.1 gallons of gasoline per hour to your fuel consumption. If the clothes iron operates intermittently (like a thermostat-controlled heater), the actual fuel impact will be lower.
For sensitive electronic components within the clothes iron, an inverter generator provides the cleanest power output. However, most resistive appliances work fine on conventional generators as well. If you are running the clothes iron along with sensitive electronics like computers, the inverter generator protects all connected devices.
Clothes Iron Wattage Compared to Similar Appliances
The following table compares the clothes iron to other appliances in the other category. Understanding relative power requirements helps you make informed decisions about which appliances to prioritize on your generator and where you might find opportunities to reduce your total load.
| Appliance | Running Watts | Starting Watts |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes Iron (this appliance) | 1,200 W | — |
| Phone / Tablet Charger | 25 W | — |
| Sewing Machine | 100 W | — |
| Hair Dryer | 1,500 W | — |
| Electric Blanket | 200 W | — |
| Pool Pump (1 HP) | 1,500 W | 2,500 W |
| Hot Tub / Spa | 6,000 W | 7,500 W |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many watts does a clothes iron use?
A clothes iron uses approximately 1200 watts of continuous (running) power during normal operation. As a resistive load with no motor, it has no starting surge above its running wattage.
What size generator do I need to run a clothes iron?
To run a clothes iron by itself, you need a generator rated for at least 1,500 W (2 kW), which includes a 25% safety margin above the running wattage of 1200W. However, most people run additional appliances alongside the clothes iron, so your actual generator needs will be higher. Use our calculator to add your other appliances and get a comprehensive recommendation.
Can I run a clothes iron on an inverter generator?
Yes, a clothes iron runs perfectly well on an inverter generator. As a resistive load with no motor starting surge, it is one of the easiest appliances to power with any generator type. The clean sine wave output of an inverter generator is a bonus for any electronic components.