Name the essentials.
List communication, lights, refrigeration and any approved medical-device backup. Add the model, running power, startup requirements and hours needed. Leave optional high-draw appliances out of the first plan.
Grid Getaway · Preparedness guide
Power outage preparedness starts with a plan.
Know what needs power, how long your backup can last and how you will recharge. Build a practical plan for short interruptions and extended outages, one essential at a time.
Start with your household
01 / PRIORITIZE
02 / SET A WINDOW
03 / TEST THE SETUP
What would you need if the power stopped today?
Make an outage plan around the equipment and people in your home. Check your utility’s outage map and alerts for local information. A national headline cannot tell you when service will return to your address.
Choose time without charging.
Plan the hours your battery must cover before you can recharge. An overnight interruption and several days without grid access call for different storage, charging and contingency plans.
Try it before you need it.
Charge the station, connect the intended devices and check operation under normal supervision. Confirm the right cables, outlet limits and any transfer behavior in the exact product manuals.
Understand the two numbers
Watts run the devices. Watt-hours keep them running.
Output in watts (W) must cover the loads used together and their startup needs. Capacity in watt-hours (Wh) is stored energy. A higher output rating does not automatically mean longer backup time.
| Average combined load | Time without recharging | Starting storage target |
|---|---|---|
| 50W | 8 hours | 550Wh|
| 100W | 12 hours | 1,650Wh|
| 150W | 24 hours | 4,950Wh
Calculation: average watts × hours × 1.10 ÷ 0.80. These examples include a 10% allowance and assume 80% usable battery capacity. Include standby consumption in the load. Actual losses, temperature, reserve and battery condition vary. For a refrigerator, use measured average energy or compressor runtime rather than assuming its label wattage runs continuously.
For longer outages
Plan how energy gets back into the battery.
A bigger battery gives you more time between charges. Sustained backup also needs enough incoming energy to replace what you use, plus losses. Work out a daily energy budget and a second option for days when charging is unavailable.
Wall charging
Charge before forecast severe weather and maintain the battery as directed by its manufacturer. During an outage, another working electrical supply is needed to recharge from AC.
Solar charging
Match panel voltage, current and connectors to the station. Shade, cloud, season and placement reduce output. Deploy panels only when conditions are safe; keep the station within its operating limits.
A second charging path
Check supported vehicle charging or another suitable supply before relying on it. Charging speed and accessories vary. Fuel generators must operate outdoors, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents, per CDC guidance.
Keep a plan for reduced loads, an alternative charging source and relocation when needed. For a larger installed system, use a qualified professional to check the design, connections and transfer equipment. Explore home backup planning.
Make it practical
Your power outage checklist.
Work through this before severe weather or a planned utility interruption. Checkmarks are for this visit; print the page if you want a copy.
Keep equipment dry and ventilated. Never energize home wiring by plugging a generator or power station into a wall outlet. Follow device manuals and use compatible, professionally installed transfer equipment when connecting home circuits.
Find the right starting point
Build around the backup you actually need.
Choose the closest situation to narrow your planning. Start with the devices and runtime first, then compare the equipment that fits.
Apartment essentials
Compact plug-in power for communication, lighting and selected devices, with storage space and building rules in mind.
Plan apartment backup →Refrigerator & freezer
Check compressor startup, daily energy use and the time you need to protect cold storage.
Plan refrigerator backup →Home office
Account for your modem, router, laptop and desk equipment, plus any interruption your devices can tolerate.
Plan workday backup →Hurricane preparation
Compare specific backup systems and organize essential loads, storm preparation and safe recharging.
Compare hurricane backup →Medical-device planning
Begin with device-manufacturer approval and a healthcare-provider outage plan for essential equipment.
Review medical-device planning →Larger home loads
Plan selected circuits, voltage requirements, storage, transfer equipment and installation.
Explore home backup →
Common questions
Power outage planning, explained.
How long should I plan to be without power?
Use your local hazards, past interruptions, utility information and household needs to choose a planning window. No single duration fits everyone. Cover essential needs and plan where to go if service or charging remains unavailable longer than your backup can support.
Can one portable power station run my whole house?
Some systems support selected devices; others can support larger loads with compatible installed equipment. Check simultaneous output, voltage, startup surge, battery energy and connection method. A product’s maximum watt rating is not a promise to run every household appliance or provide a particular number of days.
Will battery backup keep my Wi-Fi working?
It can power compatible network equipment while its battery lasts. Your modem, router and any required optical network equipment also need power, and your service provider’s network must remain operational. Keep an alternative communication plan.
Do I need solar panels for backup power?
Not necessarily for a short interruption if a charged battery covers your needs. For longer outages, compare daily consumption with realistic recharge opportunities. Solar requires compatible equipment and safe, useful sunlight; it cannot guarantee uninterrupted power in every weather condition.
How do I keep refrigerated food safe?
Keep doors closed, monitor temperature and follow current public-health guidance. The CDC says an unopened refrigerator can keep food safe for up to four hours without power; a full unopened freezer for about 48 hours, or 24 hours if half-full. Follow its disposal guidance if limits are exceeded or food temperature is uncertain. Read the CDC power outage guidance.
Can a battery system also reduce my electricity bill?
That depends on your utility tariff, when energy is used and recharged, equipment efficiency and installation. A battery charged from the grid uses electricity and has losses. Treat backup resilience and bill savings as separate calculations; check your actual rate plan before expecting savings.