In snow storms scenario a generator is a very good idea. Per my understanding 15KW to 17KW would be enough for a home of 1600 sq foot. A generation with the above specifications can easily serve the desired purpose.
A=lw A=20*80 A=1600 feet2
ranch style home - 1500 square foot with partial basement. What size generator would be needed?
Impossible to say without knowing how many rooms and what size they are.
by foot
Yes, an 8kVA generator can run a small house. A generator this size should be able to adequately power a one ton air conditioner, 18 cubic foot refrigerator, and other small appliances normally found in a small house.
Carriages, horses, and by foot.
A foot is a unit of length. A square foot is a unit of area. The two units are therefore incompatible.
1600 sq ft = 1600/9 sq yd = 177 7/9 sq yd. Almost 178 square yards are needed if all floors are to be carpeted. If it is a two floor house, additional carpeting may be needed for the stair risers, but usually the kitchen and bathroom(s) are not carpeted so their areas may be subtracted.
A 25 foot cord will not cause enough voltage drop to worry about.
There are 304.8 millimetres in one foot. Therefore, rounded to two decimal places, 1600 millimetres is equal to 1600/304.8 = 5.25 feet.
a 4 ton unit
There are 3 feet in one yard. Therefore, 1600 feet is equal to 1600/3 = 533.3 recurring (that is, 533.3333..) yards or 533 yards 1 foot.