Home Backup Power Solutions

How many times has your home been without electricity so far this year? Most modern households depend on electric power supplied by utility companies such as Entergy Arkansas and Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative. We have come to rely on a steady supply of electricity to complete everyday tasks and have built our lives around it. Unfortunately, power outages are both unpredictable and inevitable.

When the electric grid goes down, homes can be without power for a few minutes, several hours, or multiple days. Beyond inconvenience, brief power outages can cause damage to sensitive electronics not connected to a surge protector. Prolonged outages can lead to expensive refrigerated or frozen food losses. Extended outages can present a health risk for those dependent on electric-powered home health devices such as chair lifts, sleep apnea devices, nebulizers, and oxygen concentrators. Installing a backup power solution can help mitigate these risks.

There are two primary types of backup power solutions, generated and stored power. Generators use a fuel source such as gasoline, diesel, propane, or natural gas to create or generate electricity. Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower are also used to generate electricity. Some generators can utilize more than one type of fuel. The electricity generators produce can be used immediately or stored in batteries for later use. The most effective backup power solution will include both a means of generating power and storing it for later use.

Generators and batteries come in many types, sizes, and price ranges. To determine the best backup power solution for your home, you’ll first need to decide which items you want to provide power to during an outage and how much energy they require to start and run.

Electricity is measured in units of power called Watts, named to honor James Watt, inventor of the steam engine. For some appliances, the starting watts may be two to three times higher than the running watts. For example, a 700-watt refrigerator may require 2200 watts of surge power at startup.

Check back next week for more information on calculating your home backup power needs.