Learn why AUX and emergency heat are different, how heat pump balance points govern strip staging, and why selecting emergency heat triples your electrical heating cost.
Power outages and essential loads
Cover the loads that matter for the outage you are planning for
A useful backup-power plan starts with measured loads, then accounts for starting demand, runtime, recharge or fuel, a safe operating location, and a fallback when the outage lasts longer.
Is this the right starting point for you?
- Who this is for
- Households deciding how to keep phones, refrigeration, pumps, heating controls, accessibility equipment, or other selected loads available during an outage.
- First decision
- Which loads must run at the same time, and how many hours must they last before the household can recharge, refuel, shed a load, or relocate?
- Essential loads before equipment
- Manual and code checks before use
- Runtime verified against real conditions
Choose what applies
If the broad starting guide is more than you need, choose the question that fits your next decision.
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If a battery must keep measured essential loads running.
Battery Runtime Planning: Watts, Watt-Hours, and a Safer Test -
If you are considering solar charging for the site and season.
How to Size Solar Power for Backup: Loads, Season, and Storage -
If a fuel-burning generator is part of the fallback.
Generator Safety Guide: Carbon Monoxide, Power, and Fuel
42 additional planning guides
More Backup power guides
Check the updated date, sources, assumptions, and safety limits inside each guide before acting.
Build a maintenance schedule from your generator manual using dual-trigger operating hours and elapsed calendar time, with exact fluid capacities and storage steps.
Maintain a LiFePO4 backup system with manual-specific storage, temperature, inspection, firmware, load testing, fault response, and service records.
Prepare backup power for winter outages with critical-load priorities, carbon monoxide safety, heat and water fallbacks, cold-weather limits, and drills.
More guides in this topic
38 more household decisions
- After Power Returns: A Hazard-First Household Checklist
Check current local hazards and household systems in a safe order after a power outage before returning to normal use.
- Compare Home Battery Installation Quotes
Compare written residential battery installation proposals against the same outage loads, site, system boundary, approval path, and ongoing terms.
- How Many Watts Does a Window Air Conditioner Use?
Find the electrical input for an exact window AC model and keep it separate from its cooling capacity rating.
- UPS vs Portable Power Station: Transfer Time Explained
Compare uninterrupted equipment power against longer backup runtime by verifying transfer-time tolerance, UPS topology, AC waveform and safe connection requirements
- Used Portable Power Stations: What Evidence to Ask For
Evaluate a used or refurbished portable power station's identity, recall status, condition history, included accessories, warranty, and return terms before purchase without trying to diagnose its battery.
- Whole-House Generator Quote Checklist: Compare Installed Scope
Compare installed standby-generator proposals for the same property, backed-up loads, and locally required approval and service scope.
- How Many Watts Does a Refrigerator Use? Running Power, Startup, and Daily Energy
Record a refrigerator’s running watts, verified startup watts, and representative daily watt-hours for a backup-power estimate.
- 500Wh vs 1000Wh vs 2000Wh Power Stations: What Changes?
Compare three portable-station capacity bands against a measured household load list, AC surge ratings, usable Wh, safe portability and appropriate recharge support
- How to Recharge a Power Station During an Outage
Find supported recharge methods for an exact power-station model and compare its input limits with the sources available during an outage.
- Power Station Size for a Fridge and Freezer Together
Size a portable backup station for two separately measured compressor appliances by simultaneous starting demand, usable watt-hours and a conservative food-safety fallback
- Two Smaller Power Stations or One Large One?
Decide whether one or two portable power stations better fit the household's separate loads, carrying needs, recharge opportunities and failure dependencies.
- Do Solar Panels Work During a Grid Outage?
Determine from system documents whether an existing rooftop solar installation is designed to island safely and supply backup loads during a utility outage.
- Powered Medical Device Outage Plan: Care Continuity Before Runtime
Build a clinician-, supplier-, manufacturer-, and manual-checked continuity plan for a powered medical device, then test backup power and relocation decisions without assuming a universal runtime
- Sizing Solar for an Off-Grid Cabin: Loads, Seasons, and Autonomy
Size an off-grid cabin solar system from measured seasonal loads, NLR solar data, battery autonomy, pump starting demand, site constraints, and local rules
- What Size Solar Panel Do I Need for Camping?
Size portable camping solar from measured daily watt-hours, battery capacity, charging-input limits, seasonal sun, shade, weather, and a no-solar fallback
- DIY Home Battery Backup: A Safe Planning Guide
Plan a home battery backup without unsafe assembly shortcuts. Define loads, choose listed equipment, involve the local authority and a qualified installer, and document commissioning and shutdown
- What Is a Brownout? Low Voltage, Sags and Outages
Understand how a brownout differs from a brief sag, surge or outage, and check which documented protection function addresses each before following the symptom-reporting guide.
- Heat-Pump Water Heater vs. Electric Resistance: Check Space and Recovery
Compare a heat-pump storage water heater with electric resistance storage for the actual location and peak hot-water demand, without treating an efficiency rating as installation approval.
- Do Heat Pumps Work in Cold Weather? Capacity Matters More Than the Label
Compare an exact matched heat-pump system’s heating capacity at the local design temperature with the home’s calculated load, and document the backup plan.
- Why Is My Electric Bill So High? Compare Daily Use First
Separate a change in billing-period length, daily electricity use and charges, then prepare one evidence-based question for the utility or an energy assessor.
- How to Read an Electric Meter: Find the Right kWh Display
Identify the correct register and unit on an electric meter using the serving utility's instructions, record a reading, and compare it with a like-for-like prior reading.
- UPS Battery Replacement: Match the Model Before the Battery
Match a UPS to its maker-approved replacement cartridge and service eligibility, then plan downtime, the documented post-service check and a confirmed recycling route.
- Will Your Water Heater Work During a Power Outage?
Use the exact water-heater model and manual to record outage behavior, power dependencies, and manufacturer-approved instructions for a power restoration or cold-weather interruption.
- Gas vs. Propane Generators: Fuel, Output, and Storage Tradeoffs
Compare the gasoline and propane output and fuel requirements of one exact dual-fuel generator against the household's planned load and available fuel supply.
- How Long Can You Store Gasoline? Follow the Engine Manual
Create an equipment-specific gasoline reserve plan using the exact engine manual and local fire rules instead of a universal storage-life estimate.
- Microwave Wattage for Backup Power: Input Watts vs Cooking Output
Identify the electrical input watts for an exact microwave and compare its running demand and energy estimate with a documented backup source.
- Portable Generator Won't Start? A Safe Observation Checklist
Determine whether a portable generator truly will not start, document safe observations, and find the correct owner-manual or service path without attempting repairs.
- Portable Solar Panel Input Compatibility: Read the Labels First
Use the power station and panel manuals to screen a proposed connection against voltage, current, power, and connector requirements without designing a series or parallel array.
- Well Pump Wattage: Record the Nameplate Before Planning Backup Power
Assemble the pump, motor, control, and well record details a qualified well contractor or electrician needs before estimating backup power.
- Gas Furnace Backup Power: What to Record Before Choosing a Source
Prepare a model-specific furnace power record and contractor questions before selecting backup equipment or a connection method.
- How to Choose a Generator Extension Cord for One Appliance
Record the appliance load, generator outlet, outdoor route, and exact cord markings needed before choosing a temporary extension cord.
- Aquarium Power Outage Plan: What to Protect and Monitor
Prepare a species-aware aquarium outage record covering equipment, monitoring, safe power options, household roles, and expert contacts
- Can an EV Power Your Home? Outlet Power vs. Vehicle-to-Home Backup
Determine whether a specific EV supports selected-load export or a compatible vehicle-to-home backup system, and prepare the right questions for the vehicle maker and installer
- Can a Portable Power Station Replace a UPS? Check Its Transfer Time
Decide whether a specific portable power station's backup mode can support a computer, network device, or NAS by checking its manual and testing the exact setup
- Generator Transfer Switch vs. Interlock: What to Ask Before Installation
Prepare a homeowner's appointment brief to discuss generator transfer equipment, selected circuits, panel fit, generator characteristics, and local approval with a qualified electrician
- What Is an Inverter Generator? How It Differs from a Regular Generator
Compare inverter and conventional portable generators at the same household load using model-specific output, sound, fuel, portability, and connection evidence
- Sump Pump Battery Backup: Options, Runtime, and a Test Plan
Compare sump-pump backup approaches and record a manual-based test, maintenance schedule, alarm response, and fallback for an outage
- Battery Types Explained for Home Backup Power
Compare lead-acid, AGM, lithium-ion, LiFePO4, and emerging battery options by complete-system use, maintenance, temperature, usable energy, and safety
Equipment research
Use these guides after you know the household requirement. Specifications, prices, and availability change, so verify dated details with the manufacturer or seller before buying.
Compare cycle-life claims by their capacity endpoint, test conditions, calendar terms, exclusions, and service process without turning cycles into promised years.
Match a portable power bank to the exact phone or small device by comparing energy, charging profiles, shared ports, recharge needs, and carry weight.
Match a light to the job: hands-free tasks, a shared room, or a quick trip down the hall. Compare power sources and mode-specific runtime before buying.
Choose a portable generator from critical loads, starting demand, a safe outdoor location, connection method, fuel plan, service, and the exact manual.
Compare portable power stations by usable energy, output, charging inputs, temperature, safety evidence, service, and model-specific manufacturer data.
Plan first. Buy what is missing.
From your power plan to a model shortlist
Start with your loads and required runtime. Compare compact DC backup, 1 kWh household stations, and 2–4 kWh extended outage upgrades before checking a seller.
288 Wh Nominal capacity
Check first: Any AC-only appliance, including household plug-in devices, because this model has no AC output.
More specifications & fit
The C300 DC (A1726) is a 288Wh DC-only power station with a 300W combined DC-output ceiling and no AC outlets. It fits direct USB/DC charging for selected devices; it cannot run appliances that require a 120V AC receptacle.
- Nominal capacity
- 288 Wh Manufacturer source for Nominal capacity (checked 2026-10-24; opens in a new tab)
Any AC-only appliance, including household plug-in devices, because this model has no AC output.
Read the fit and limitations → 1,024 Wh Nominal capacity
Check first: Loads requiring 240 V or more than the continuous output rating.
More specifications & fit
The base DELTA 3 is a 1,024 Wh, 1,800 W portable station for selected 120 V essentials. Start with the exact model: DELTA 3, DELTA 3 Plus, and other variants do not share every charging specification.
- Nominal capacity
- 1,024 Wh Manufacturer source for Nominal capacity (checked 2026-10-04; opens in a new tab)
Loads requiring 240 V or more than the continuous output rating.
Read the fit and limitations → 1,024 Wh Nominal capacity
Check first: 240 V loads or a whole-home installation requirement.
More specifications & fit
The Elite 100 V2 combines a 1,024 Wh battery and 1,800 W AC output with a documented 1,000 W solar-input ceiling. Its lower listed weight makes it worth comparing with the older AC180 when carrying and solar charging matter.
- Nominal capacity
- 1,024 Wh Manufacturer source for Nominal capacity (checked 2026-10-22; opens in a new tab)
240 V loads or a whole-home installation requirement.
Read the fit and limitations → 2,042 Wh Nominal capacity
Check first: 240V loads or loads requiring more than 2,200W continuous output.
More specifications & fit
Explorer 2000 v2 (JE-2000D) provides 2,042Wh nominal capacity and 2,200W total 120V AC output in a 17.9kg unit. It suits selected household loads with a recharge plan, but has no verified expansion path and its 20ms EPS is not a 0ms UPS.
- Nominal capacity
- 2,042 Wh Manufacturer source for Nominal capacity (checked 2026-10-24; opens in a new tab)
240V loads or loads requiring more than 2,200W continuous output.
Read the fit and limitations → 4,096 Wh Nominal capacity
Check first: Frequent lifting or carrying by one person; the unit weighs about 51.5kg before accessories.
More specifications & fit
DELTA Pro 3 is a 4,096Wh LFP U.S. station rated for 4,000W output. It supports 120V and 240V modes, but EcoFlow says the 120V and high-voltage outlet groups cannot be used simultaneously. At 51.5kg, it is a large backup system that needs a deliberate placement, recharge and electrical-connection plan.
- Nominal capacity
- 4,096 Wh Manufacturer source for Nominal capacity (checked 2026-08-20; opens in a new tab)
Frequent lifting or carrying by one person; the unit weighs about 51.5kg before accessories.
Read the fit and limitations →Before you begin
What size backup power system do I need?
Add the running energy of essential loads, account for startup demand, choose a realistic outage duration, and include conversion losses. Verify the result against equipment manuals and a qualified installer's site assessment.
How many watts does a sump pump need during a power outage?
Pump requirements vary by model and installation. Check the exact pump's running and starting demand, then compare them with the backup system's continuous and surge ratings; use a qualified electrician for connection questions. Read battery runtime planning guide.
How long will a 1,000Wh battery run a refrigerator during a blackout?
Capacity alone cannot predict runtime. Use measured appliance energy and the exact battery system's usable capacity, conversion limits, and startup rating; assess food safety separately with current temperature guidance. Read battery runtime planning guide.
Can a battery power station run indoors?
Battery power stations do not create combustion exhaust while discharging, but they still require manufacturer-approved placement, ventilation, temperature, charging, and fire-safety precautions. Fuel-burning generators must stay outdoors.
Can you safely run a portable generator in an apartment?
Never run a portable generator indoors or in a garage. CDC guidance calls for outdoor placement more than 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents; if your property cannot provide an approved location, do not assume a balcony is safe. Check building and local rules before use. Read generator safety guide.
Does a solar estimate replace professional design?
No. Shade, orientation, structure, weather, code, transfer equipment, surge loads, and electrical protection require site-specific verification and qualified work.
Keep your plan current
Small updates. A more prepared home.
Get occasional guide updates, practical worksheets, and seasonal household checks.