Refrigerator, CPAP, or internet backup power
Calculate runtime from watts and usable battery capacity before shopping.
Calculate backup runtime
Homeowners dealing with storms, medical-device backup needs, remote workers, renters, RV users, and families comparing batteries versus generators.
Home Power Backup
Plain-English backup power guides for refrigerators, CPAP machines, internet routers, sump pumps, and short outage essentials.
Problem route
Start here if this is your home
Plan before buying
What this hub helps you decide
- Which loads are truly essential and what their measured running and starting power require.
- How usable battery capacity, duty cycle, recharge time, fuel, and ventilation affect the plan.
- Where manufacturer limits, medical-device guidance, or electrical work require qualified help.
Guides by decision
Choose the next guide by the condition you are seeing
Backup Power guides
CPAP Battery Backup for Power Outages: What to Check First
Plan CPAP backup with the exact machine manual, compatible adapter, measured settings load, humidifier and heated-tube choices, testing, and provider escalation.
Buying guide
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Generator Transfer Switch vs Extension Cords: Safe Power Paths
Compare a professionally installed generator transfer switch with direct appliance extension cords, and understand why backfeeding is never an acceptable shortcut.
Planning guide
Read guide
How Far Should a Generator Be From the House? Portable vs. Standby
Place a portable generator outdoors at least 20 feet from homes and openings, direct exhaust away, use proper cords, and maintain working CO alarms.
Safety guide
Read guide
Hurricane Power Outage Checklist: Before, During, and After
Use this hurricane power outage checklist to prepare essential loads, generators, food, medical devices, evacuation steps, and safe restoration.
Planning guide
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How to Estimate Portable Power Station Runtime Conservatively
Learn a conservative runtime method using load inventory, surge, usable watt-hours, conversion loss, standby draw, duty cycle, reserve, recharge, and testing.
Planning guide
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Solar Generator for Refrigerator Backup: Size Watts and Runtime
Size refrigerator backup from measured running watts, verified startup surge, duty cycle, usable watt-hours, food-safety goals, and realistic recharge.
Buying guide
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Whole-House Battery vs Generator: Which Backup Fits Your Outages?
Compare home batteries and generators by automatic operation, usable energy, surge power, outage length, fuel, solar charging, noise, and installation scope.
Buying guide
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Decision tools
Use these before buying equipment
How we source this topic
These official guides, standards, and manufacturer documents support the safety limits and equipment checks used across this hub. Individual guides identify the sources behind their specific claims.
- Hurricanes in 2024 Led to the Most Hours Without Power in the United StatesU.S. Energy Information Administration
- CPSC Generator Safety and Carbon Monoxide WarningU.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate DisastersNOAA National Centers for Environmental Information