Home backup power blog

Plain English buying guides and how to articles. Pick the right power station, keep it ready, and get through the next outage without stress.

Portable power station running a refrigerator during a power outage
Buying guide

What size power station runs a refrigerator, and for how long?

How much power a fridge really uses, how long a 500, 1,000 or 2,000 Wh power station runs it, and simple ways to keep food cold for longer.

Quiet portable power station beside a bed powering a CPAP machine
Buying guide

Best power station for CPAP: how to choose backup power for sleep therapy

How much battery a CPAP needs for a night, why the humidifier matters so much, and the features to look for in a power station for sleep therapy.

LiFePO4 and lithium ion battery cells compared for power stations
Explainer

LiFePO4 vs lithium ion: which power station battery lasts longer?

What LiFePO4 (LFP) and lithium ion (NMC) batteries mean for a power station's lifespan, safety, weight and price, explained in plain English.

Solar panels charging a portable power station for home backup
Buying guide

Solar generator for home backup: how it works and how many panels you need

A solar generator is a power station charged by solar panels. Learn how much power panels really make and how to match panels to your station.

Portable power station stored and ready for the next power outage
How to

How to store a portable power station so it is ready when the power goes out

Simple habits that keep a power station ready for the next outage: the right charge level, safe temperatures, a 3 month check and storm season prep.

Portable power station sizing guide showing watt hours and output
Buying guide

What size portable power station do I need? A simple sizing guide for outages

Work out the watt hours and output you need from a portable power station in three steps, with real examples for a fridge, CPAP, router and lights.

Battery power station compared with a gas generator for home backup
Comparison

Portable power station vs generator: which is better for home backup?

Compare a battery power station and a gas generator on safety, run time, noise, cost and upkeep, and find out which one suits your home.

Power outage checklist for before, during and after an outage
Outage prep

Power outage checklist: how to prepare, what to do, and what to check after

A practical power outage checklist for your home: what to prepare before a storm, how to keep food and devices safe, and how to restart safely.

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