How many watts does a Electric Water Heater use?

A Electric Water Heater draws a steady 4,000 watts with no meaningful startup surge, since it has no motor to spin up. Large resistive load — no motor surge, but draws heavily whenever the element is on.

Generators that can run this

• Briggs & Stratton Q6500 QuietPower
  5,000 W run · 6,500 W start · ~$1,000
• Champion 7500-Watt Dual Fuel (100813)
  7,500 W run · 9,375 W start · ~$1,150
• Generac GP8000E
  8,000 W run · 10,000 W start · ~$1,150