How Much Space Do I Need Around My Generator?
Ever parked your generator so close to the shed it felt cosy? Short answer: don’t. generators need breathing room — for safety, cooling, and to avoid nasty surprises. Stick around and we’ll cover exactly how much space you need, plus the Aussie rules that keep everything running smooth.
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How Much Clearance is Needed Around a Generator?
A generator isn’t like the eski you shove under the awning — it needs room to breathe. Without proper spacing, you’re looking at overheating, noise complaints, or worse, a fire risk. This is true for all power generators, regardless of their size.
Generator Clearance from the House
The first thing to check is how far your generator is from the house. Too close and you risk fumes sneaking indoors. Too far and you might be running extension leads everywhere.
The 20-Foot Rule for Generators
A common guideline overseas is to keep at least 20 feet (around six metres) between the generator and your home. It sounds like a lot, but it gives fumes and noise room to dissipate. This is especially important for petrol generators which produce significant exhaust.
Why Proper Generator Placement Matters
Imagine firing up the generator in a tight corner behind the garage. It’s convenient, but the heat builds, the exhaust hangs around, and suddenly you’ve got a dangerous situation. With enough clearance, your Generator stays cool, quiet, and easy to maintain. Many people looking for generators for sale often forget to plan for this space before their purchase arrives.
Understanding Generator Placement in Meters
Australians like things measured in metres, not feet, so let’s make it simple. Whether you’ve got a portable unit or a bigger standby model, spacing is everything.
Generator Distance from House Code
As a rule of thumb:
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Portable Generators need about 0.9 metres (three feet) of space all around.
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Standby Generators need at least 1.5 metres (five feet) from any structure. Large diesel generators often fall into this category for home backup.
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Some councils and building codes may ask for even more, depending on the setup.
Understanding Local Codes for Generator Placement
Australian Standards such as AS/NZS 3010:2005 set the expectations, and local councils can add their own requirements. They’re not suggestions — they’re legal obligations. The safest bet? Have a licensed electrician confirm your placement before installation, particularly when setting up generators for home use.
Using a Generator Clearance Calculator for Your Needs
Still unsure if you’ve left enough space? A clearance calculator, or even the diagrams from your Generator’s manual, can show exactly how much room you need in every direction. If you are using Westinghouse generators, always refer to their specific clearance charts in the manual.
Placing a Portable Generator
Portable units are easy to move, but that doesn’t mean you can plonk them anywhere. They need a flat, stable spot at least a metre away from walls, tents, or vehicles. Never run them in garages or under awnings — good airflow is non-negotiable. This is vital when positioning camping generators at your site.
Understanding the 360-Degree Clearance for Your Generator
Think of your generator as living inside an invisible bubble. It needs clear air on all sides — at least a metre in every direction. This space keeps it cool, lets fumes escape, and gives you room to refuel or service it without hassle. Even silent generators require this 360-degree space to manage internal heat effectively.
Conclusion
Giving your generator proper clearance isn’t just a box to tick. It’s what keeps it safe, reliable, and ready to run when the power cuts out. Measure carefully, stick to the Australian standards, and you’ll avoid the kind of drama no camper, homeowner, or tradie wants. If you find space is too tight for a traditional unit, you might consider portable power stations which have much simpler clearance requirements.
You might also like:
- Can I Shower with a Generator?
- Can You Use a Generator on a Campsite?
- What Are the Hazards of Portable Generators?
- Why Generators Are Rated in KVA?
- Where Can I Find a Generator Manual?
- How Do I Ventilate a Generator Room?
- What Is a Cold-Weather Kit for Generators?
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Question 1 of 5
What will you mainly use it for?
This shapes everything — size, noise, start type.
🏕️ Camping & caravanning
🔧 Worksite / tradie
🏠 Home backup for blackouts
🌾 Remote property / farm
Question 2 of 5
What's the biggest thing you need to run?
Pick the hungriest appliance — that decides your kVA rating.
📱 Devices, lights & small appliances Under 2kW — phones, laptops, camp lights, small TV
❄️ Fridge or caravan aircon basics Around 2kW — 12V fridge, small caravan, basic power tools
⚡ Power tools or high-draw appliances Around 3–5kW — angle grinder, circular saw, kettle, microwave
🔌 Multiple big things running at once Around 5–8kW — tools + fridge + chargers all at the same time
🏗️ Air compressor, welder or full site setup 8kW+ — serious site gear, large shed, home standby
Question 3 of 5
How important is quiet operation?
Inverter generators are significantly quieter. Smart silent units like the Welling & Crossley range run at conversation level.
🤫 Very important — camping, neighbours, CPAP users Inverter or smart silent generator. Quieter, cleaner power
🔊 Not critical — open site, farm, doesn't matter Any generator works. Open frame gives more kVA per dollar
Question 4 of 5
Do you want electric or remote start?
Handy when the generator is hard to reach, tucked in a shed, or if yanking a cord isn't your thing.
🔑 Yes — electric or remote start
💪 No — pull start is fine
Question 5 of 5
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Here's exactly how we size them
Two numbers decide everything — get these right and you'll never buy the wrong generator.
1. kVA = how much it can run at once
Add up the watts of everything you'll run at the same time — that's your minimum. Then multiply by 1.25 to leave headroom for start-up surge. A 2,000W load needs at least a 2.5kVA generator. Always size up, never down.
2. Surge watts = the hidden catch
Motors (fridges, air conditioners, compressors) spike hard on start-up — often 2–3x their running watts. A caravan aircon that runs at 1,000W can pull 2,500W+ for the first second. Check the surge rating, not just continuous output.
Inverter vs open frame — which do you need? ▾
Inverter generators produce clean, stable power — safe for laptops, CPAPs, TVs and any modern electronics. They're also significantly quieter. Open-frame generators are louder and produce slightly less stable power, but they're cheaper per kVA and perfectly fine for power tools, lights, and anything that isn't electronics-sensitive. The Welling & Crossley Smart Silent range sits in between — enclosed inverter design, very quiet, high kVA output, and priced well.
Do you actually need a generator, or would a power station do? ▾
If you're camping for a few nights and mainly running a fridge, CPAP and charging gear, a portable power station is often the better pick — no fuel, no fumes, near-silent, and you can top it up with solar panels. Generators shine when you need continuous high-output power for tools, aircon over multiple days, or remote properties where mains power isn't available. Not sure? Call us and we'll help you work it out. Or try our Power Station Finder here.
What does the runtime figure actually mean? ▾
Runtime is quoted at a specific load — usually 25% or 50% of rated output. Running at full capacity burns significantly more fuel and cuts runtime. The Welling & Crossley 6000W quotes 7 hours at 50% load — at full tilt, expect closer to 4. Always check the tank size and carry spare fuel if you're heading remote.
What your gear actually draws
Rough figures. Add up everything running at once to get your minimum kVA — then size up for surge headroom.
| What you're running | Running watts | Surge / start-up |
|---|---|---|
| Phone & laptop charging | ~100W | Minimal |
| Camp lights / LED strip | ~50W | Minimal |
| 12V fridge / freezer | 60–150W | Up to 600W |
| Caravan reverse-cycle aircon | 1,000–1,500W | 2,000–3,000W |
| Circular saw / angle grinder | 1,200–2,000W | 2,500–4,000W |
| Drill / impact driver | 600–900W | 1,200–1,800W |
| Microwave | 1,000–1,200W | Minimal |
| Kettle | 1,500–2,400W | Minimal |
| Air compressor (small) | 1,500–2,000W | 3,000–5,000W |
| Welder (MIG/stick) | 3,000–6,000W | Varies |
| Full home (non-AC essentials) | 3,000–5,000W | 5,000–8,000W |
Or skip the quiz and shop by size
2–3kVA
Compact
- Camping & caravanning
- Devices, fridge & lights
- Portable & lightweight
From $999
Shop compact7–9kVA
Serious power
- Full worksite setup
- Multiple tools at once
- Home backup
From $2,399
Shop serious10–20kVA
Heavy-duty
- Welder & compressor
- Large shed or farm
- Full home standby
From $5,749
Shop heavy-dutyWhat other Aussies say
From our 120+ verified Google reviews, rated 4.98 out of 5.
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"Tim was super helpful and answered all my questions about which generator I needed. Without doubt the cheapest prices in Australia on the same quality products as the bigger companies."
Greg Hunt
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"Tim returned my first call in 90 seconds and talked me through exactly what size generator to get. We ended up buying 2 units and we're super happy. Good price, good service = good company."
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★★★★★
"Got my generator at a lesser price than the local Aussie dealer. Delivery was fast and communication was top notch. Planning to get more gear for my van build."
Shane Fish
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★★★★★
"Ordered the Gentech Sunday night and it was at my door by Thursday. Outstanding service, and the generator is better than I expected. Will be back."
Lawrie Thorne
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Common questions
What size generator do I need for camping? ▾
For camping with a 12V fridge, lights and charging, a 2.5–3.2kVA inverter generator does the job. If you're running caravan reverse-cycle aircon, step up to at least 4.5kVA — aircon units surge hard on start-up. An inverter generator keeps things quiet around the campsite.
What's the difference between kVA and kW? ▾
kVA (kilovolt-amperes) is the total apparent power the generator can produce. kW (kilowatts) is the real usable power after accounting for the power factor (typically 0.8). A 2.5kVA generator delivers around 2kW of usable power. For most home and camping use, kVA is the number to focus on — just make sure your total load stays comfortably under it.
Can I run a generator indoors or in an enclosed space? ▾
No. Generators produce carbon monoxide and must only be run outdoors or in well-ventilated areas, away from doors and windows. Never run one inside a caravan, shed, or garage — CO poisoning is odourless and can be fatal. Keep at least 3 metres from any opening.
How long will it run on a tank of fuel? ▾
It depends on tank size and load. The Welling & Crossley 6000W has an 18L tank and runs around 7 hours at 50% load. The Gentech 8kVA has a 25L tank. Always carry spare fuel jerry cans if you're heading remote.
Are inverter generators safe for sensitive electronics? ▾
Yes. Inverter generators produce clean sine wave power — same as your wall socket — which is safe for laptops, TVs, CPAPs and modern electronics. Open-frame generators produce slightly less stable power, which is fine for tools and lighting but we'd recommend an inverter if you're running anything sensitive.
What's the warranty on True Gear generators? ▾
Warranty varies by brand. Welling & Crossley and Westinghouse come with a 2-year warranty. Gentech units with Honda engines carry up to a 5-year warranty option. Champion units carry a 3-year limited warranty. All are backed by Australian-based support. Call us if you have warranty questions on a specific model.
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