Why You Might Need a Safe Room

Here are some genuine reasons to build a safe room:

• To protect yourself from severe weather conditions

The USA is no stranger to severe weather conditions. From winter storms and tornadoes to hurricanes, the country experiences weather conditions throughout the year. In 2023, the US experienced 28 climate and weather disasters according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. They caused significant damage amounting to 1 billion dollars.

Having a safe room allows you to protect your belongings from damage. For example, you can store your electronics, kitchen appliances, and other household items in the safe room. Once the weather disaster is gone, rebuilding your life will be easier. Furthermore, you’ll be protecting your loved ones and pets during these disasters.

• To protect yourself from home invasions 

Another reason to build a safe room is to protect yourself from property crimes. As you’d know, property crimes have increased in recent years. More homeowners are susceptible to home invasions and armed robbery. In 2022, there were 269.8 burglary cases per 100,000 of the population. And the rate is only increasing.

To protect yourself and your loved one from risk of property crime, you can build a safe room. It offers a secure space to retreat to. And if it is equipped with an emergency system, you can easily and safely alert the police. 

• Add value to your home

Besides protecting yourself from invasions and weather disasters, you can build a safe room to increase the value of your home. Besides, any home buyer would like a home with a safe room. It provides a sense of safety and security. 

This is especially crucial in areas susceptible to severe weather conditions and armed robberies. Make sure to equip it with the necessary emergency and safety equipment. 

• To protect yourself from toxic substances

As a homeowner, you are always at the risk of hazardous material releasing toxic fumes. For example, some of the chemicals used in farming can lead to bodily injuries if inhaled accidentally. And if you live near an industrial area, you are more susceptible to release of toxic gasses in the event of an accident in the plant. 

With a safe room, you can protect yourself and your loved ones against incapacitation, disorientation, or death should there be a chemical release or blast. 

Can You Build a Safe Room?

Yes, with the right skills and equipment, you can build a well-fortified safe room. While it might seem a daunting task, with the right planning, you can build one within a few months. That said, building a safe room is time and money consuming. Furthermore, you need to get the right permits from your local authority.

Fortunately, there are companies that sell pre-made safe rooms, making the process cheaper and less cumbersome. On the same token, you can renovate an existing room to serve as your safe room. 

Ideally, the safe room should be built away from the main house. Most homeowners tend to build them underground, but you can build yours on the ground. Just make sure to use reinforced concrete for improved protection. 

The exterior should be resistant to weather elements and knocks from flying debris. Otherwise, it will be as weak as your primary house and it will not offer much-needed protection during a weather disaster.

Can You Remodel an Existing Room into a Safe Room?

Yes, you can turn an existing room into a safe room. In fact, it is cheaper than building one from scratch. The best part is you can turn any room into a safe room. Ideally, you should turn rooms in your basement into a safe room.

They are easier to add reinforcement without affecting the structural integrity of your house. While at it, make sure the room meets FEMA requirements and check with your residential building code if it is legal to remodel a room into a safe room. 

When remodeling a room, consider accessibility. You want it to be at a level or area where everyone can access it. This may require installation of flatter stair cases or an elevator. In short, you want your loved ones to access the room as quickly as possible.  We recommend using rooms with less windows and doors as they are cheaper to remodel. 

How To Build a Safe Room

So how do you build a practical safe room? Let’s find out.

• Read the FEMA guideline book

Before building your safe room, you need to determine its structural integrity and what it should have. And the only way to find out is to consult the FEMA manual. It contains information about structural design, design considerations, and others. 

The manual helps you choose the best material for your safe room. For example, the walls, doors, and ceiling should withstand high wind pressure and prevent penetration by falling debris.

• Choose an ideal location

Once you determine how your safe room should look, it is time to choose a location. If you are building a safe room against burglary, consider building it in the basement. This is also an ideal location to build a panic room to protect yourself against weather disasters. 

The garage is also an ideal location as it offers more space to construct spacious and more equipped panic rooms. If you, however, want to build a safe room to safeguard your valuables, you can build it away from the main house. You can disguise the location for improved safety.

• Choose the right materials 

Ideally, you should use reinforced concrete as it offers better protection against penetration by debris or ammunition. Reinforced concrete slabs are also stronger and cost-effective than other construction materials. Avoid installing windows with fragile material. 

Instead, consider using steel-framed windows. If possible, avoid using wood or other flammable materials. And if building one is daunting, consider consulting a professional builder or buying pre-assembled safe rooms.

• Determine possible disasters or dangers 

What dangers or weather disasters can you face in your area? Answering this question will help you determine the extra features your safe room will require. For example, if you live in an area prone to home invasions, you might consider reinforcing the door and windows. If hurricanes and floods are the common disasters, consider installing airtight doors and windows. 

• Install a robust door

The door is the most crucial component of the safe room. It should be sturdy enough to withstand forced entry, knocks from flying debris, and airtight to prevent entry of water. You can use metal or solid wood doors. If possible, reinforce the door with steel plating and install heavy-duty locks. Ensure the door is lockable from the inside to prevent intruders from accessing the inside.

• Stock your safe room

With the safe room constructed, it is time to stock it with the right essentials. 

• Food and water

First, stock it with non-perishable food. This can be nuts, high-calorie snacks, and dried food. You should also bring enough water for drinking and other needs. We recommend storing three gallons of water per person. 

• Emergency kit

You should also have a medical kit equipped with basic supplies such as pain killers, scissors, bandages, and disinfectants. You should also add any special medication that your loved ones might need during the stay.

• Power supply

Consider using a backup power system to keep your devices on in the panic room. You don’t want to cut communication with your friends, family, and law enforcement personnel when sheltering from a disaster. For this, you can use a BLUETTI  power station.

You can use the BLUETTI AC200MAX + 2*B230 + 3*PV200 to ensure your devices are powered throughout the day and night. While it has a 2048Wh base capacity, you can expand it to 6144Wh or 8192Wh by adding two B230 or two B300 batteries respectively. 

The BLUETTI EP500 + 3*PV200 is also another perfect choice for a safe room as it has 5120Wh capacity. This is enough power to keep your phones charged for weeks. The best part is these battery backup systems are portable and lightweight, meaning you don’t need to install a mount in your safe room. 

Final Thoughts

During natural disasters, it is crucial to protect yourself and your family against weather elements and flying debris. Your house can protect you against mild weather conditions but not against severe weather conditions and attacks.

It is for this reason you need a safe room. A safe room protects you from natural disasters, war attacks, and falling or flying debris. A robust panic room should be made of reinforced concrete and have steel doors installed. If building one is daunting, consider consulting a professional builder. 

Related articles: What Are Rolling Blackouts and How Can I Prepare for It?

What Causes Electricity Blackouts?

How Are Blackouts and Climate Change Linked?

What is a Brownout?

A brownout is a partial power outage. During a brownout, the grid’s system capacity is reduced and the voltage drops by about 10 to 25 percent. They can be intentional or unintentional. Intentional brownouts happen during an emergency to prevent total power outage. Ideally, utility companies use brownouts for load reduction. Unintentional brownouts can be caused by severe weather conditions, natural disasters or malfunction affecting the electrical grid. As you’d expect, brownouts last for a short period of time.

What Is a Blackout?

A blackout, also referred to as a power outage is a total loss of power. This happens unexpectedly, outside the control of utility companies. Unlike brownouts, blackouts affect whole towns and regions. Like brownouts, severe weather conditions and natural disasters can cause power outages.  Increased load demand can also cause blackouts, especially during seasons when power-hungry appliances are running at full capacity. And as you’d expect, they can last for hours, weeks, or even months.

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What Is The Difference Between Brownout and Blackout?

How can you tell the difference between a brownout and a blackout? Let’s find out.

As mentioned a brownout is a temporary reduction in the grid’s system capacity. It causes most appliances to shut down or malfunction. Lights tend to dim during a brownout. This happens due to lack of enough electricity to keep the appliances running. 

A blackout, on the other hand, is a total loss of power. Here, appliances and lights shut down completely. Blackouts can last for a long period, depending on its cause. For example, Hurricane Maria caused a power blackout in Puerto Rico that lasted for 100 days, affecting over 100,000 residents. 

A brownout is caused by a high demand in electricity. When the grid cannot sustain the demand, a brownout usually happens. This could be due to an increase in the use of air conditioners or other power-hungry appliances. Utility companies can also cause a brownout to prevent a blackout.

A blackout occurs during severe weather conditions, natural disasters, and war. Wind gusts can knock down electricity poles while severe flooding can damage electrical substations. Bombing electrical stations can also cause widespread power outages. 

As you can see, brownouts are often localized affecting individual residential areas. Blackouts on the other hand, are extensive, affecting regions or states. Whether you are facing a brownout or a blackout, you should take preventive measures to reduce its severity. 

What Should You Do During a Brownout or Blackout?

To keep your family and yourself safe during a brownout or blackout, you should do the following.

• Unplug All Devices 

While you can use some of your family appliances during a brownout, we recommend shutting them down and unplug them from a power source. As mentioned, a brownout causes a decrease in voltage, which can damage sensitive electrical devices. 

Besides, unplugging your devices protects them from a power surge once electricity is restored. You should, however, have one light on so you can know when power is restored.

• Use Portable Power Stations

Avoid plugging your devices in a wall outlet, instead, use a power station. Power stations provide backup power that can last for days or weeks. 

The best part is they are portable and allow you to connect multiple devices simultaneously. BLUETTI offers you some of the best power stations on the market. Here are a few you can buy:

BLUETTI AC200L Portable Power Station | 2,400W 2,048Wh

The BLUETTI AC200L comes with a 2400W pure sine wave inverter providing stable and continuous current for running your critical electrical devices. It also has a 3600W surge capacity ideal for starting large appliances such as refrigerators and heating systems. This means you can still use large appliances during the blackout or brownout. And since it has a 2048Wh capacity, it can keep your devices like smartphones running for extended periods.

But that’s not all, its capacity can be expanded to 8192Wh or 63848Wh, incase of increased power demand. So, if you experience a prolonged power outage, you can connect extra batteries. You’ll love how fast it recharges. It takes only 45 minutes to recharge from 0% to 80% with a 2400W AC input. And the best part is you can use solar panels to recharge it. 

So, if there’s no electricity in your state, just connect the BLUETTI AC200L to your solar panels, and you are sorted. Like other BLUETTI power stations, it comes equipped with an app that allows for remote monitoring and control. With no moving parts, it is quiet when it is running.

BLUETTI AC60 Portable Power Station | 600W 403Wh

This is yet another robust power station you can use during a brownout or blackout. It has a 403Wh capacity, ideal for a brownout or a short blackout. That said, you can use expandable batteries to increase its capacity to 2015Wh or 2,116Wh. 

And thanks to the Turbo Charging feature, it can charge from 0 to 100% in one hour. This ensures you have power throughout the power  outage. Unfortunately, the power station can only charge or run small devices such as rechargeable flashlights, smartphones, and laptops.

Like other premium power stations, it has a LiFePO4 battery, improving its efficiency and power output significantly. And you don’t have to use solar only, you can recharge using AC, lead acid battery, or your car. With the built-in app, you can monitor and control it via Bluetooth. 

BLUETTI AC180 Solar Portable Power Station | 1,800W 1,152Wh

Finally, you can opt for the BLUETTI AC180 model that comes with 1800W pure sine wave inverter. This makes it an ideal option for running devices such as laptops and TVs. It also has a 2700W surge capacity for starting larger appliances. 

If you want to run your refrigerator during the brownout, you can plug it in, and the power station will keep it running for 7 to 14 hours. Luckily, you get 11 ports, allowing you to connect multiple devices. 

Like other BLUETTI power stations, you get four recharging options: solar, AC outlet, a generator, and your car. This means you can keep it charged during prolonged power blackouts. It is eco-friendly, quiet, and efficient, making it the perfect source of electricity during a brownout or blackout.

• Stay Away from Power Lines

Keep away from fallen power lines near your home. The grid is susceptible to power surges when electricity is resorted. This can cause electrocution, if you are near them. If there are fallen power lines, call your utility company immediately. 

• Subscribe for Alerts

Once there’s a brownout or blackout, we recommend subscribing to your utility company’s alert system to keep you abreast of the situation. Alerts let you know what caused the brownout or blackout and when power will be restored. 

Why are Blackouts Dangerous?

Unlike brownouts, blackouts can be difficult to fix, especially if it’s due to severe weather conditions or natural disasters such as earthquakes. Furthermore, they can last for extended periods. Prolonged power outages can cause severe consequences. 

For example, without a running water pumping system, residents can stay for weeks without clean water. Patients who rely on electronic health devices are at a higher risk of losing their lives. But that’s not all, cooling and heating systems cannot run.

This means homes can overheat during hot days or temperatures can drop below zero during cold days. This can put people with existing health problems at a risk. Blackouts are especially dangerous in homes with young children and elders over 65 years.

How To Prepare For A Brownout or Blackout 

To go through a brownout or blackout, you ought to stock your home with essentials. This includes non-perishable food and bottled water. You should also stock flashlights, batteries, emergency kits, and power backup systems. 

Keep your devices (smartphones and laptops) charged for seamless communication with your loved ones. They also help you stay abreast with the situation. You should also allocate responsibilities to each family member to avoid confusion during a brownout or a blackout.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, a brownout is a temporary reduction in voltage while a blackout is a complete loss of electricity. Keep your devices unplugged during either and use a power station as a source of electricity. You should keep away from fallen electric wires and stay updated, through your utility company, on the situation.

Power outages are sudden electrical failures that, if not taken care of properly, could result in infrastructure damages like the disruption of communications and, eventually, the business.

By understanding power outages, their causes, durations, and how to handle them, you can make yourself immune to their collateral damages. This article will discuss all this in detail. Further, you can also rely on BLUETTI's exceptional quality power banks to navigate through the rough water of blackouts.

What Is a Power Outage?

A power outage is a power supply cut due to a fault in power supply lines. This could either be long-term or short-term, depending on their cause. 

A power outage could be of two types. First, blackouts, which are unintentional power cuts. They are sudden in nature and could be very inconvenient to handle. They can affect multiple regions and thousands of people simultaneously. 

Second, brownouts are intentional power cuts to restrict the power supply of any specific area for any specific reason. Brownouts are usually not common and only manifest when any specific motive has to be materialized. For example, if a government cuts the power supply of any specific area at night to make it invisible for an air strike, this will be a brownout. 

What Is the Cause of Power Outages?

In today’s era of climate change, the intensity of weather events is more than ever. The power lines are always prone to be affected by these events. Additionally, mechanical failures, maintenance faults, and accidents are leading causes of power outages. 

Let’s discuss these all to get a more comprehensive idea about the causes of power outages.

Power outages due to natural catastrophe 

Natural disasters that can cause power outages usually are hurricanes, typhoons, floods, and earthquakes. During such an event, power cuts are done to prevent the potential damages of these catastrophes. In other cases, power losses occur as a result of malfunctioning of power supply lines.  

Power outages due to natural disasters don't have any specific time frame for when the power supply will be restored. If the supply lines are working, the power is restored as soon as the calamity is over, and the situation becomes normal. Contrarily, if there are damaged supply lines, the time frame could vary from hours to weeks, depending on the damage.  

Heavy rains and lightning

Though heavy rains and lightning are not as calamitous as the above-mentioned natural disasters, they can still be a reason for power outages. This usually happens due to short circuits in the supply lines or trees damaging the wires. 

However, the restoration period is generally short in case of rains and lighting, and the power is stored within hours after the rain. 

Mechanical issues

In areas where overloading on transformers is a norm, mechanical issues are among the top reasons for power outages. 

The mechanism of power transfer consists of 4 basic steps. The electricity is generated and transferred to a grid station, from here it goes to transformers, and lastly, from there, it is supplied to consumers. 

Usually, in hot weather, the use of heavy-duty appliances like ACs and refrigerators boosts. This puts pressure on transformers, and eventually, this overloading makes them malfunction. 

Additionally, failures in power generation and faulted supply lines could also add up to mechanical issues. Solving mechanical issues requires a proper inspection of machinery and takes time to resolve the issue.

Maintenance of powerhouses

Powerhouses often undergo periodic maintenance to ensure a reliable power supply. During this time, power companies cut off the power supply for safety reasons. 

Such power outages are usually short, and the power supply is restored within hours. Additionally, some electric companies also serve notices to users prior to any such reservation. 

Infrastructure damage

With heavy traffic on the road, there are always chances for supply lines to get entangled with them and cause power outages. This usually happens in areas where electrical infrastructure is not well laid. 

Additionally, vehicle accidents with supply line poles also cause blackouts. 

How Long Does a Power Outage Last?

The restoration of the electric supply after a blackout is termed a black start. How long a power outage will last is dependent on the source. EIS Council (Electric Infrastructure Security Council) terms natural disaster outages as Black Sky Hazards. Their damages could be critical and widespread, which require long periods of recovery.

On the other hand, a small issue like a broken supply line or minor maintenance fault only takes 2-3 hours to recover. 

The most prolonged blackout situation is a major power plant malfunction that can lead to weeks-long power outages. 

Ways to Know How Long the Power Outage Lasts

Multiple approaches can be applied to gauge the recovery period of a blackout. Some of them are discussed below.

Scheduled outages

Many areas with less electricity availability have scheduled weekly or monthly power outage routines. If this is the case, it's easy to determine how long the power outage will last. 

Additionally, if you have encountered a power outage in the past due to a transformer change or supply pole issues, you will have an idea of how much time it takes. This understanding can help you assess the restoration time.

Call your power company helpline.

The most simple and effective way to know how long your power outage will last is by calling your power supply company's helpline. They will not only tell you about the exact issue and restoration time. It will also guide you about the nature of the power outage and if you need any precautions in case of calamities. 

Prepare for Short or Long-Term Outages

From big metro cities to the countryside, no place is immune to power outages. They could affect your lifestyle as either winter storms or temporary maintenance glitches. 

This makes it crucial to have a backup power source. BLUETTI home power banks could efficiently serve the purpose. Below discussed are three variables handpicked among top home power backups. 

BLUETTI AC300 + 2*B300 | Home Battery Backup

• 3000W output capacity makes AC300 a small yet powerful home battery backup
• It has a 3072 Wh battery capacity that can be further expanded up to 12288Wh with 4 B300 batteries. This simply means by adding extra batteries, you can boost the battery timing 4 times.
• Further, in case of longer outages, to make its recharging easy, it can be recharged through 7 different charging streams, including car batteries and solar panels.
• To make this unit compatible with all your home appliances, it comes with 10 plus output ports, including 2 wireless charging points. 
• You can control AC300 easily on your mobile through Bluetooth and the BLUETTI smart app.

BLUETTI AC500 + B300S | Home Battery Backup

• AC500 has an output capacity of 5000W with a surge power of 1000W, making it a good choice to run all heavy appliances.
• Its pre-built battery capacity is the same as AC300. However, this can be expanded to a whooping 18432Wh.
• 6 Way recharge makes sure you never run out of power and 16 outlet ports.
• Its LiFePO battery offers 3500 plus charge cycles, giving it a lifespan of 10 plus years.
• This home battery backup could be operated through a built-in smart touch screen, Wifi, and Bluetooth.

BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup

• With a power output of 9000W and support for both 120V and 240V devices, EP900 has a gigantic output capacity to run all your home appliances simultaneously and can be used for commercial purposes, too.
• Its LiFePO4 battery comes with 9920Wh power storing capacity, much more than any of its counterparts. This can further be expanded up to 19840Wh.
• While all the competitors of EP900 come with a warranty of 4-5 years, this unit is leading the industry with 10 years of warranty coverage.
• Due to its IP65 water resistance, it is installed both outdoors and indoors. 
• With its high power storage and transfer capacity, this unit will not only help you through blackouts but also cut your energy bills by relying completely on this or selling power back to the grid.

Multiple brands are available in the market, each with different offerings. BLUETTI’s products are manufactured from LiFePO4 battery, the most eco-friendly and recommended battery type. Its 4-year hassle-free warranty and 24/7 available customer support ensure a smooth experience. The next level thing is its price match guarantee, ensuring that BLUETTI is offering the lowest possible rates.

What if you don’t have a power bank? In that case, to mitigate the risk of a power outage, below are some important points that you should consider.

• Planning is everything. Outages are unwanted guests, and tacking them requires a proactive approach. This includes keeping your emergency kit ready, marking areas for evacuation, keeping all your important documents safe, tackling pets, and ensuring critical medicines' availability.
• The emergency kit should have flashlights, candles, a matchbox, a portable charger, necessary food and drinks, a blanket, warm clothes, and a first aid box.
• Stay informed by getting in touch with authorities and keep taking the updates. The car radio is a good option for news bluettin. 
• When the power is restored, in some cases, its voltage is low. If your voltage-sensitive devices are on, these low voltage can damage them. Ensure their safety by turning them off.

Final Thoughts

Power outages, either short or long, could have severe implications. It’s important to pre-plan yourself by keeping our essentials easily approachable. If such an issue happens, keep your safety first and stay informed with the latest updates.

However, in the long run, it's good to make yourself energy-independent. This one-time investment will not only save you from energy bills, but you can also sell energy back to the grid. BLUETTI home battery backups are ideal choices for this.

How Long Do Power Outages Last?

Power outages can last for several minutes, hours, or even weeks. It depends on the factors affecting the power outage. If it is a natural disaster such as a tornado or hurricane, you can expect a prolonged power outage. Equipment failure can be rectified within hours.

That said, if you know your utility company, you can estimate how long the power outage will last. While not accurate, the following ways can help you predict how long the outage will last.

• Notifications from your utility company

Most utility companies will have a system that sends notifications to their customers in the event of a power outage. The notification may include the cause of the outage, steps they are taking to address the issue, and how long it may take. This gives you a rough idea of how long you may need to run your backup generator. 

• Using historical data

While power outages may be sporadic, you may notice a pattern in how long they last. If you can recall the last time the cause was human error or a natural calamity, you can easily predict how long the present outage will last. 

• Calling your utility company

Another simple and effective way to estimate how long the outage will last is by calling the utility company. Some companies may not have a notification system in place. Fortunately, you can contact the customer service team. They can explain the situation, giving you a rough estimate of how long you might be in the dark.

As you can see, it might be hard to tell exactly how long the outage will last. However, with historical data and notifications from the utility company, you can determine if it will be a short or prolonged power outage.

Common Reasons for a Prolonged Power Outage

So, what causes an electrical blackout to last for weeks or months? Here are some of the common reasons.

• Severe Weather

In 2022, the United States experienced many power outages due to severe weather. On June 13-14, residents of Ohio, West Virginia, and Indiana experienced wind gusts up to 95 m/h. As a result, over 600,000 households experienced a prolonged blackout. 

Worst still, a following heat wave caused an increase in electricity demand, leading to more outages. Tornadoes, hurricanes, and winter storms are some of the leading severe weather conditions that lead to prolonged outages. 

• Natural Disasters

Another cause of prolonged electric blackouts is natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires, and hurricanes. In recent years, wildfires have caused unimaginable prolonged outages on the West Coast, with states such as California bearing the brunt.

Flooding easily damages sunstations and distribution towers leading to prolonged power outages. They also cause massive damage to ungrounded communication and power lines. Droughts on the other hand reduce the water needed to turn turbines in hydroelectric power plants.

• Equipment Failure 

Let’s face it, U.S. power grid runs on aging equipment with some surpassing their 50-year lifespan. Most of the equipment cannot manage the present power demand and severe weather conditions. As such, they lead to prolonged outages and damage easily.

Most electric utility companies in the United States are facing many lawsuits for wildfires, death, and losses. Among them are Xcel Energy and PacifiCorp. These companies are accused of using fragile and aging power infrastructure that has caused many deaths and losses.

• Cyber Attacks

While not a mainstream cause of power outages, most experts warn that it will be in the future. As cyber criminals become more knowledgable, they are more likely to target electric utility companies leading to prolonged power outages. This could be similar to the now infamous Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack.

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How to Prepare for a Prolonged Power Outage?

While prolonged power outages are unpredictable, there are steps you can take to be better prepared. Among them is to have a backup power solution. For this, you can opt for a battery backup system from BLUETTI.

• Get a Power Backup System

For example, the BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup is an excellent option for an average American household. It can power small and large appliances with ease. And since it is expandable to 19,840Wh, you can rest assured it will serve you throughout the blackout.

The best part? It is IP65 rated allowing you to install it outside your house. Whether it is summer or winter, the unit can handle temperature levels ranging from -20 C to 50 C. and with noise levels of less than 50 dB, you can expect silent operation. 

This can be powered by a robust solar panel such as the BLUETTI PV420 Solar Panel. It has a maximum power output of 420W. If you have two or three of this model, you are sure to power your house throughout the outage with ease.

• Stock Up On Safe Drinking Water

Depending on your water source, you might not have ample drinking water to last you the outage. For example, if you use well water that is electrically pumped, you won’t have access. The same case applies to multilevel apartments.

If you won’t have access to tap water, it is crucial to stock up before a prolonged outage. A person requires 1 gallon of water per day, excluding water for cleaning and cooking. Keep this in mind as you prepare for the next outage

• Stock Up On First-Aid Supplies and Medication

Since movement may be impacted during a power outage, it is crucial to stock up on medication and have a ready first-aid kit. While medication is prescribed on a monthly basis, we recommend contacting your insurance about filling the most crucial ones.

If you have medical devices that need electric power, consult your doctor for directions. You should also prepare a first-aid kit with items such as bandages, antibiotics, cold compress, thermometer, and pain relievers.

• Stock Non-Perishable food

When the power outage begins, most people are likely to storm the stores. It is therefore necessary to plan in advance. Buy food that can be prepared during the outage. You may consider buying canned food with a long shelf life. 

The food should be rich in calories to give you much-needed energy. Some of the best options include oatmeal, cereal, powdered milk, beans, rice, instant coffee, pasta, and crackers. 

How to Protect Yourself During a Prolonged Power Outage?

Now that the outage is here, how can you protect yourself and your belongings? Let’s find out.

• Unplug Everything 

Unless your electric system is connected to a backup power unit, you should unplug everything from their power sources. As the electric utility company works on the system, there might be sporadic power surges which can lead to damage to your appliances. 

It is therefore prudent to unplug all of them. You may leave one light turned on so you can know when the power is back.

• Use Generators Correctly

Most households may result into using generators. And if this is your option, you should use it in an outdoor setting, especially if you are using a fuel-powered option. Gasoline and natural gas generators produce toxic gases that can harm your health.

Alternatively, you can use a solar generator such as the BLUETTI AC500 + B300S Home Battery Backup. The unit has a 5000W rated power and 10,000W surge power, meaning it can power appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers. 

The generator has a maximum capacity of 18,432Wh, ensuring you can enjoy uninterrupted power supply throughout the outage. With six ways to recharge it, you’ll never go a single day without power. 

• Avoid Using The Refrigerator and Freezer

Generally, a freezer can keep food fresh for up to three days without power, if you do not open it. If you have a backup power system that can run the freezer, you can open it sporadically.

However, if you don’t have one, we recommend not opening it. Make sure to consume any perishable food within three hours of the blackout. 

What Should Do After a Prolonged Power Outage?

• Turn On Essential Appliances 

Once the power is back, you should give it time to stabilize since there might be surges once during the first few minutes. Wait for at least 15 minutes before reconnecting your appliances. Do not reconnect them at once, instead, reconnect the most essential first and gradually plug in the rest.

• Examine The Circuit Breaker

While a rarity, some of your devices might not turn on after a prolonged power outage. If this is the case, unplug the devices and check the circuit breaker. You might need to reset it after a prolonged power blackout. If this does not solve the issue, consider contacting a qualified electrician. 

• Check Your Refrigerator and Freezer

Make sure the refrigerator and freezer are back on. Also, check the temperature inside your refrigerator and freezer. If they are at the right temperature, the food may be okay to consume. If in doubt, throw all perishable food out. Never taste food to determine if it is safe for consumption.

Keep Safe with Your Family

When you experience a prolonged power outage, you should ensure your family is safe. This is through unplugging electrical appliances, preparing an emergency kit, investing in a backup power source, and storing enough non-perishables. This way, returning to normalcy will be easy.

High and unpredictable weather conditions are putting a strain on electrical grids, making blackouts more widespread and not limited to particular areas like earthquakes, hurricanes, or tornadoes usually are. So you will need to prepare a backup source for power outages, if you are curious how to choose, keep reading!

What is Home Backup Power, And Do You Need It?

Home backup power refers to alternative resources of power that could keep crucial home equipment and gadgets working for a long duration during a power outage. Whether you stay in an area at risk of outages or simply need peace of mind, having a backup strength supply can be beneficial for various motives. 

Doesn’t that sound great? You can have a backup to power your devices and not have to live in the wilderness for a few hours to longer periods. But what exactly are backup sources, and How do they work? 

Let’s find out!

Types of Home Backup Power Systems

Backup systems provide an alternative source of electricity during outages, ensuring continuous power supply. There are different types of power backup systems, each with its unique features and advantages. The main types of backup systems include:

Portable Power stations:

Portable power stations, as the name suggests, are power suppliers that can be carried around. You can use these power stations to power your home appliances and carry them along for outdoor activities.

These power stations come with different storage capacities. You can recharge the power stations using your household electricity. After the power station has stored the energy up to its capacity, you can use this energy to supply your home appliances.

Portable power stations come in handy at times of power outages. You can also use solar panels to recharge the power station in areas that are off-grid. Solar panels will convert solar energy to electricity energy and the power station can store this electrical energy for later use.

Solar-Powered Generators

Solar powеr backup systems arе designed to storе solar energy in batteries that can be usеd during outagеs. Thеy are suitablе for usе in arеas with abundant sunlight, and whеrе thеrе is a high demand for еnеrgy. Solar backup systеms arе environmentally friеndly and have low maintеnancе costs. 

Solar backup systеms are suitable for homеs and businesses that rеquirе backup powеr during outagеs. They are also suitable for use in remote areas where the main grid is not available. This makes them ideal for mountains, beaches, and forests. You can switch to Solar Panels to replace your existing power system.

Standby Generators

Standby generators are backup systems that use fossil fuels, such as diesel or gasoline, to generate electricity. They are designed to automatically switch on when the main supply fails. Standby generators are available in different sizes and capacities, and they can power an entire building or just specific appliances.

They are suitable for use in homes, businesses, and industries that require an uninterrupted power supply for an extended period. They can provide power for days or even weeks, depending on the fuel source and the size of the generator.

What Is the Best Backup Source for a Power Outage?

The best backup source depends on your specific needs and preferences. Portable generators like BLUETTI offer a convenient solution to short power outages, and their solar generators offer a more sustainable alternative. Moreover, stand-up generators are ideal for prolonged and frequent power outages, providing an outage for your entire home.

The current backup systems include batteries and generators, which operate on diesel, propane, or gasoline. Although these systems are well-established, the batteries and generators' drawbacks are encouraging users to seek alternative technologies that can provide higher reliability and durability at a rational cost.

Related articles: 5 Best Battery Backup for Refrigerators During Power Outages 

How to Deal with Power Outages Caused by Wildfires and Typhoons?

Guide to Choose Home Battery Backup for TECO Power Outage

How to Choose the Right Backup Power System for Your Needs?

Before diving into the details, let’s establish a common understanding of what home power backup systems are. Home power backup refers to the use of energy storage solutions to provide electricity in the event of a power outage. 

These systems store excess energy generated during times of low demand, such as during the night, and release it when needed, ensuring uninterrupted power supply to your home.

1. Evaluate Your Power Needs:

Distinguish the fundamental apparatuses and gadgets you need to utilize during a blackout. Think about their wattage and absolute power utilization.

2. Decide The Duration of Use:

Evaluate how long you really want the strengthening capacity to endure. A few generators are intended for momentary blackouts, while others can give broadened power.

3. Recurrence of Blackouts:

Consider how frequently blackouts happen in your space. On the off chance that they are regular, you could require a more strong and long-lasting arrangement.

4. Transportability versus Long-lasting Establishment:

If you prioritize the ability to move and use the backup power source in different locations, especially for occasional or temporary needs, then a portable solution like a generator like BLUETTI would be suitable.

BLUETTI for Your Backup Power Solutions

Are you looking for the best solutions? BLUETTI has everything for you. Check out the following:

• BLUETTI AC200MAX + 1*B230

The BLUETTI AC200MAX + 1*B230 promises your energy with its eco-friendly element. You can plug any appliances into it without worrying about overloading it. And it will save your monthly bill. Cool, isn’t it? 

Key features:

• 2,200W power output allows it to run many appliances (kitchen and others) simultaneously. It can provide a power surge of 4800 watts,
• The LiFePO4 battery ensures durability. 
• The power station comes with a B230 battery. You can expand the power supply up to 6,144 Watts-hour with 2 B230. 
• It can be charged in seven ways: AC, solar, car, generator, lead battery, dual AC, and AC+Solar.

• BLUETTI EP500 Solar Power Station

This BLUETTI EP500 Solar Power Station is a robust and sustainable energy solution that capitalizes on solar power, storing it efficiently for future use.

Key Features:

• 5100Wh LiFePO4, which reduces capacity to 80% after 3500+ Cycles 
• A Movable Power Station means power sources can be accommodated easily.
• The EP500's recharging flexibility allows you to keep it always on, ensuring that you have a continuous power supply, and the great news is that you can recharge via multiple resources like car batteries, solar panels, etc.
• The app remote control provides convenience and peace of mind, as you can check the status of the power station, adjust settings, and even control connected devices from a distance.

Find out more on BLUETTI EP500 Full Review.

• BLUETTI AC300 + B300 Home Battery Backup

When looking for a powerful and modular power station with expandable battery capacity, BLUETTI AC300 + B300 Home Battery is the best choice.

Key Features:

• The 3,000W AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter (6,000W Surge) provides clean and stable power, with a surge capacity of 6,000W for handling peak loads.
• 7 Ways to Recharge facilitates  - AC power, solar panels, car charging, generator input, lead-acid battery compatibility, dual AC input, and a combination of AC and solar.
• 2400W Max supports a maximum solar input of 2400W and rapid dual charging up to 5400W.

Explore the reason why BLUETTI AC300 is also great for backup power for refrigerators. 

Find the Best Backup Power Source for Your Home

Although the choice depends on your need and situation, investigate the elements and details of various reinforcement power frameworks to track down the one that best addresses your issues. 

Whether you focus on movability, manageability, or entire home inclusion, putting resources into a solid reinforcement power source guarantees that you are ready for unforeseen blackouts.

If you're considering buying a battery-powered generator for your home just for this reason, there are plenty of factors that need to be considered.

FAQs

Considering the importance of having a backup power solution for your home, here are some key questions addressed:

Q1. For what reason do I really want a reinforcement power hotspot for my home?

Backup power sources guarantee continuous power during blackouts, forestalling burdens, safeguarding well-being and security, and offering you a feeling of harmony. They are fundamental in regions inclined to blackouts or flighty climate occasions.

Q2. What are the benefits of sun based fueled reinforcement frameworks?

Sun-oriented controlled generators, like the BLUETTI EP500, are harmless to the ecosystem, have low support costs, and are reasonable for regions with abundant daylight. They give an economical and solid wellspring of reinforcement power.

Q3. Can I control BLUETTI backup power generators from a distance?

Indeed, certain BLUETTI models, like the BLUETTI EP500,  offer the convenience of remote control through the dedicated BLUETTI App. Using this application controller, you can effortlessly manage and monitor your generator from a distance.

This disrupts electricity generation and its distribution in areas like Texas. And, to control it a new word, “rolling blackouts,” comes into the picture. Let’s find out more about this term and how to prepare for rolling blackouts in Texas!

What Is a Rolling Blackout?

They are planned blackouts by the grid operator to balance the electricity supply in specific areas to avoid serious power outages. By turning off power periodically in parts of the city, grid operators can avoid overloading the power grid. But, they make sure that not a single neighborhood is out of power for long hours.

The Reasons for Rolling Blackouts in Texas

Here are two main reasons behind rolling blackouts in Texas:

High power demand:The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) stated that the power demand in the state has increased many times than in previous years. With the limited supply to Texas, fulfilling such high power demand is difficult, and to reduce the load from the grid, the decision of rolling blackouts is implemented in the state.

Hot weather and drought: Due to global warming, temperature is rising globally, and Texas is no exception. The summers are very hot here, and the state has also dealt with a drought-like situation. So, in warm weather the demand for power increases which causes extra load to the grid. Texas has to deal with power outages if there are extended drought conditions.

The state has broken its power demand record 10 times this summer because of population growth and punishing heat. So, this is also one of the reasons behind the rolling blackout in Texas.

Are Rolling Blackouts More Common in Winter or Summer?

Most people often think that rolling blackouts happen in summer, but this is not the case. They can happen anytime when there is a higher power demand than supply.

Snow, storms, heat waves, and cold snaps are some of the reasons that put a load on the power grid. That’s because of the increase in usage of air conditioners and heaters. As the energy usage spikes, the grid operator has to choose the option of rolling blackouts to balance the demand and supply.

That is what is happening in Texas, when hot summer or severe weather causes a spike in energy demand, and regional power plants can’t keep up with the demand. The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) turns off power in many parts of the state to avoid overload on the grid.

How Do I Prepare for Rolling Blackouts in Texas?

Texas in the United States has become notorious for rolling blackouts due to high power demand in summer and winter.

No matter in which corner of the state you live, here are some tips for you to prepare for rolling blackouts in Texas. 

Focus on a Power Backup

If you live in Texas and face regular rolling blackouts, you may plan to invest in an alternative energy source, such as an inverter, generator, or solar power. This can help you run appliances like AC, heater, fan, lights, refrigerator, etc.

Invest in Solar Energy

As a record-breaking hot summer causes rolling blackouts in Texas, renewable power sources like solar energy can protect you from power outages. It is a reliable and sustainable solution to all your energy needs. Also, it can reduce your utility bill to zero.

On hot, sunny days, home solar panels perform exceptionally well and are best for generating electricity in Texas. The best part is that you can store the excess electricity to use in winter or during cloudy days.

Use Heavy Load Appliances Efficiently

Run heavy-load appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, and ovens at night when the electricity demand is lower than during the day. Also, unplug the unused devices to prevent idle appliances from using electricity. Moreover, buying energy-efficient appliances can help reduce energy demand.

Stock Up on Supplies

Keep yourself updated about the rolling blackout schedule in your area and stock up on emergency supplies. Make sure you have a good stock of groceries and prescribed medicines to avoid paying high on the day of the blackout. In addition to food and medicine, make sure you have flashlights, extra batteries, and warm clothes.

Is It Necessary to Have a Backup Power?

Having backup power saves you from unwanted power outages by providing an electricity supply to your appliances at home. There are different types of power backup that you can use for your building.

One of the best and most sustainable options is solar power backup, which uses high-quality batteries to provide power during blackouts without any interruption. Having a power backup prepares you for rolling blackouts and provides you peace of mind of not spending the day without a fan or AC on hot summer days. Here are some options to consider:

BLUETTI EP800+B500 Home Battery Backup

The all-new BLUETTI EP800 + B500 is a beast that can revolutionize your home requirements. It has an output power of 7,600W, which can handle 120V/240V appliances. Also, according to your needs, you can expand its battery capacity from 9900 Wh to 9800Wh. 

With premium LiFePO4, App control, and ten years of warranty, it boasts durability and reliability. This system focuses more on the off-grid system, which means you can harness and use the stored energy for a significant time. The great power outage, ability to scale it, and flexibility make it one of the most valuable home additions.

By utilizing AC coupling, the EP800 can operate with your existing solar systems, eliminating the need for additional labor costs. You can also directly connect it to your solar panels via DC coupling.

Also, EP800 kicks in within 20 ms as soon as the power goes out, delivering seamless power to your appliances, such as refrigerators and HVAC systems.

BLUETTI AC500 + B300S | Home Battery Backup 

Are you looking for a system to expand the power of your solar system? If yes, then BLUETTI AC500 + B300S is a great option for you. This inverter delivers quality pure sine wave output and takes up to 10kW surge. The best part is that you can charge the AC500 system at any time.

With the wall outlet and solar panels plugged in, the AC500 system supports up to 8,000W - an impressive input rate. Also, its battery can be expanded from 3,072Wh to 18,432Wh.

 Get the system recharged before rolling blackout and enjoy the expandable power to run heavy-load appliances in summer and winter.

BLUETTI EP500 Solar Power Station

When you want a powerful power backup for your home, the BLUETTI EP500 is the best choice. It comes with a 5100Wh LiFePO4 battery pack and a 2000W-rated pure sine wave AC inverter. You can use it to run your entire house during blackouts or every day to save utility bills. Its’ 15 outlet sources allow you to power anything from laptops and air conditioners to your electric vehicles.

You can pair it with 1200W MPPT solar input for recharging and to keep the appliances running without any issues. It is one of the best solar power stations for all your utility needs in Texas and other areas. Buy it now!

What Family Activities You Can Do During a Rolling Blackout?

Keeping yourself and the kids occupied during the rolling blackout is very important until the electricity is back. Here are some fun activities you can do to keep yourself and other family members busy in a blackout:

Play board games – Enjoy board games with your kids, husband, neighbors, or parents. You can either play cards or chess or can buy any new board game that everyone loves to play in your family.

Read a book or novel- If you enjoy reading a book and have no time for it, then rolling blackout is the best time to occupy yourself with reading. So, grab your favorite read or kids' storybook and start reading in candlelight to enjoy the time. You can tell stories to your kids from the book as well.

Communicate - Embrace the opportunity for precious family time and communicate with kids, parents, or neighbors. Talk to them about their life, likes, and other stuff. Communicate. You can talk about your memories and crack jokes to laugh together.

Enjoy arts and crafts: Sit with kids or use your artistic skills to make paintings, jewelry, drawings, and other crafts. It is really a fun activity that you can do alone or with others at home.

Entertain kids with shadow images -  You can entertain your kids by making shadows of animals on the wall during a rolling blackout. You can use your body and fingers to create different shadows like butterflies, dogs, etc.

Keep Your Family Safe in Every Rolling Blackout

Ensuring the safety of your family during rolling blackouts is paramount. Regular power outages can disrupt everyday life and pose various risks to kids. So, to keep everyone safe and to protect them from the effects of rolling blackouts, invest in power backup to run the fan, lights, AC, and heater. This prepares you for rolling blackouts and ensures your family is safe even in challenging circumstances.

What is a Rolling Blackout?

A rolling blackout, rotating outage, or load shedding is an emergency process performed by power grid operators. It is done to balance the power supply in any specific area. 

Generally performed by utility companies or grid operators, this is done to stabilize the power demand. For example, there can be high power demand from specific areas. To decrease the load, a temporary rolling blackout is initiated so it neutralizes and there is no major blackout. 

Sometimes, they come with a warning, but it can be unexpected at certain times. 

What are the Reasons for Rolling Blackouts？

Here are some of the common reasons for rolling blackouts:

High Demand for Electricity

During very hot or cold days, the pressure on the temperature regulating device can be high, which causes overload on the grid. This load coming from specific areas can lead to rolling blackouts. It's done to stabilize and maintain the grid.

Supply Shortages

Sometimes, there can be supply shortages for many reasons, such as power plant failures, fuel shortages, extreme weather, natural disasters, etc. All these reasons can lead to short-supply shortages, which may lead to rolling blackouts. 

Maintenance and Repairs

There are regular sessions of maintenance and repairs of the electrical facilities, transformers, poles, and lines. These may lead to temporarily reducing the capacity of the electrical system. To deal with this, rolling blackouts are initiated.  

Policies

There can be government or internal policies to conduct short rolling blackouts occasionally. These are done to maintain the stability of the grid. These blackouts are notified beforehand so you can be prepared for them.

The Problem With Backup Generation

Some electric facilities may have more demand due to more connections than they can fulfill. Also, it may be incapable of handling too many power needs and may have less to back up to. In this case, there can be rolling blackouts. After assessing these situations, the electricity facility takes adequate steps to meet all the needs.

Rolling Blackout, Brownout, Power Outage: What's the Difference?

Rolling blackouts, brownouts, and power outages are similar in that there is disruption in the normal electricity supply. According to their nature, they have different names. To understand them better, here's everything about it:

Rolling blackout

It's a controlled and temporary power cut to stabilize the grid due to high demand. It further prevents larger blackouts. Also, they last for a couple of hours. There may be mandatory protocol reasons, too, for performing rolling blackouts.

Brownouts

It's a special voltage reduction or under-voltage condition where the voltage supplied is reduced below the normal levels. It can be due to when the electric system receives low voltage or initiates slow voltage to an area. 

Generally, the brownouts are done when there is too much pressure on the grid or some problem at the grid. For example, the common hours for brownouts can be winter mornings when everyone relies on water-heating equipment, temperature-regulating devices, etc. 

This may cause light dimming and slow working of appliances. Overall, the appliances may not work to their full potential. It resolves in short durations when everything is back to normal.

Power Outages

Power outages are complete loss of electricity, which can also have small or larger impacts. They can be planned for maintenance drills, which may last a few hours.

However, sometimes, they are unpredictable due to calamities, accidents, technical failures, and other reasons. The technicians try to restore the power as soon as the unplanned outage is notified. Also, the predicted restoration time depends on the severity of the situation.

Which Areas of the U.S. Are at Risk of Rolling Blackouts?

Rolling and other types of power disruption can happen anywhere due to maintenance, load on the grid, or other unforeseen circumstances. However, The North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC) found that many areas are at elevated risk for rolling blackouts. For example, the western United States, most of Texas, and the Carolinas face a high risk of rolling power blackouts, NERC said. The reasons can be extreme temperatures and natural calamities, too. However, all the electric facilities try to restore the power as soon as possible in case of blackouts.

How Long Do Power Outages Last?

If the power outage is caused due to a rolling blackout, it may return in one to two hours. Also, in case of a planned power outage, it will be restored in a couple of hours.

But, if the power outage is due to natural disasters, heavy rains, storms, accidents, or technical failure, it may take time. Once the outage is notified, the technicians prioritize the tasks and work accordingly.

It is best to contact electricity websites to set alerts for the latest information. However, you can bring home battery solutions to ensure you have a reliable backup source in case of any power outage.

They store power from the grid or solar solutions so that you can withstand any short or long blackouts. They are a valuable addition with an extensive range of power outputs, battery capacity, and flexible options. 

10 Tips to Survive a Rolling Blackout

Here are the best tips to survive a rolling blackout:

1. You can invest in home energy solutions that offer great backup. They are compatible with solar panels, grid, and hybrid systems as you like. Moreover, it's budget and environmentally friendly. For example, BLUETTI has many modern, flexible, and scalable options.
2. Stay in touch with the electricity company's websites, alerts, and news.
3. Always keep an emergency kit handy, having a torch, lights, batteries, etc.
4. You can go for rechargeable lights, which are great for rolling blackouts.
5. Keep all your rechargeable appliances powered, like battery banks, laptops, phones, etc.
6. Always have a medical kit ready in case of emergencies.
7. You can also bring fuel-based things like stoves, heating supplies, etc.
8. If you have any problem, you can seek help from emergency services.
9. Also, stay in touch with neighbors to help one another.
10. You consider long-term preparedness and always stock food, water, medication, and other supplies.

BLUETTI Home Backup Power for Rolling Blackout

BLUETTI home backup power features a range of battery backup solutions that suit all needs. It is perfect for powering the whole home, outdoor events, and commercial tasks.

You can expand the energy solutions according to your unique requirements. Moreover, a bonus is its great warranties, user experience, and customer service. Some of the top picks for you are:

BLUETTI AC300 + B300 | Home Battery Backup

BLUETTI AC300+B300 Home Battery Backup is a 3,000W AC pure sine wave inverter. It can handle the initial surge of appliances up to 6,000W. Moreover, AC300 features a 3,072Wh battery capacity, which can be scaled with the help of 4 × B300 to get 12,288Wh. 

Using a premium and safe LiFePO4 battery with 3,500+ life cycles to 80% means durability for years. You can recharge it in seven ways(AC/Solar/Car/Generator/Lead-acid Battery/Dual AC/AC+Solar). Also, it has 16 output ports for direct and simultaneous charging.  

BLUETTI EP800+B500 Home Battery Backup

BLUETTI EP800 + B500 has a great 7,600W power output, excellent for all light to heavy appliances. With additional battery packs, you can boost its energy capacity according to your need from 9900 Wh to 19800Wh. Also, It can power all 120V/240V devices. 

The battery grade is top-notch as it features a LiFePO₄ battery. You can install it with a grid or solar system, which can be new or existing. It has an intelligent storage attribute that stores energy during off-peak demand to provide electricity during high demand. This ensures lower bills.

You can also install it outdoors as it's IP65 water-resistant. It's a practical addition to any home with a 10-year warranty, smart control, and other easygoing features.

BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup

The  BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup is a true off-and-on-grid system that can be paired with both. It has a 9,000W power output, which can power all 120V/240V devices. 

It features a battery storage capacity of 9,920Wh~19,840W, which can be expanded according to your unique requirements. 

It features a LiFePO₄ battery, a 10-year warranty, and monitoring with BLUETTI APP via WiFi or Bluetooth control, etc. Also, it's IP65 water-resistant, which means you can install it indoors or outdoors. Also, with the help of this system, you can sell surplus electricity back to the grid, which makes it more economical.

Final Word

Rolling blackouts are normal and can occur occasionally, so no major blackouts exist. However, you can contact your electricity company to know better. Moreover, you should bring reliable home beauty solutions to prevent any blackouts. They smartly store energy to power your home during outages. Plus, they save bills, are environmentally friendly, and are straightforward. So, go through all the points mentioned above and bring 

As a homeowner who needs a reliable power supply, you should explore their characteristics before selecting the one. That's why, to assist you better, here is everything about battery backup systems and generators, their pros, cons, factors to consider, and more.

Let's have a look!

Battery Backup Systems

Let's take a deep dive into battery backup systems:

What is a Battery Backup System?

As the name indicates, battery backup systems store energy and provide it to run most household or commercial appliances. They don't generate electricity but recharge with AC units, solar energy, or other power sources.

How Does It Work?

The working of the battery backup system depends on the type of product. Here's an overall idea of how it works:

• The mains power, the power grid, or solar energy solution recharges the battery backup system's battery.

• According to the setup, the battery backup system powers the appliances and lighting solutions when the traditional power source is out.

• Also, it may have direct output ports for powering the devices.

It comprises a battery, an inverter, and a charge controller. The battery stores energy from the power source, and the inverter converts the stored DC electricity to AC, which is needed for running household appliances. The charge controller regulates the electricity between the inverter and the battery.

The home battery backup system, or UPS battery backup, has become popular for homes due to its large energy storage capacity, flexible pairings, modular designs, and straightforward operations. For example, the BLUETTI home battery backup range has exceptional power solutions for small and large houses, outdoor needs, and commercial spaces.

Advantages of Battery Backup Systems

Here are some amazing advantages of battery backup systems:

Instant power anytime: The home battery systems don't require any setup or manual operation when the power is out. Connecting it with a transfer switch to integrate with the home wiring system will automatically power the home when power is out. Also, it has stored energy for powering any appliance.

Expandable: According to your home requirements, family members, types of appliances, etc., you can choose the power output and number of batteries accordingly.

Environmentally friendly: One of the biggest advantages of the home battery system is that it stores energy from grid or solar solutions. They help you harness this energy without causing any emissions and sounds. This process has a lower carbon footprint, making your home more sustainable.

Less maintenance and running costs: It doesn't require regular refills. Also, they undergo less maintenance over the years, which is budget-friendly.

Limitations of Battery Backup Systems

Here are some limitations of battery backup systems:

Runtime can vary: A battery backup system can only power if it has stored energy in the battery. So, the battery may be exhausted if the outage is longer than its potential. To deal with this, you should go for a battery with great capacity to improve its runtime.

You need to access the power needs: As a homeowner, you may have light and heavy-duty appliances. Evaluating the power needs of appliances, running time, and family members, you should go for the most compatible one. If you have a low-output battery system, it may not power all the appliances. 

High upfront costs:  The upfront cost of setting up the home battery system is high. However, it's justified throughout the years with low bills and access to power 24/7.

Generators

Let's know more about generators:

What is a Generator?

A generator is a robust machine that converts mechanical energy to electricity. Various types of generators use fuels like propane, diesel, natural gas, etc., to rotate the turbines which produce electricity.

How does it work?

To be more precise, here is a simple working of the generator:

• You have to fill the fuel tank with compatible fuel.

• The internal combustion will start the engine. 

• The engine will turn the shaft of the generator.

• This rotation will spin a coil of wire in a magnetic field.

• This process produces electricity, which is used to run household appliances.

Pros of Generators

Here are some pros:

High load capacity: The various sizes and types of generators can power all appliances of home and commercial spaces. It includes all heavy-duty or low-duty machines.

Better runtime: As long as you fill the fuel, the generator will produce electricity. This means you can harness electricity for a long time with ample fuel.

Automatic operation: They automatically switch on when the power is out.

Lower upfront costs: The upfront costs of the generators are lower than those of home battery systems.

Cons of Generators

Here are some cons:

Lots of emissions and noise: The generators use various types of fuels, which may cause emissions that are not healthy for the environment. Also, they are noisy, which makes it disturbing.

Regulate maintenance and refilling: They require regular inspections, including oil changes, filter replacements, etc. Also, you have to refill fuel to keep it running.

Higher maintenance costs: The upfront cost may be low, but you have to invest in maintenance and fuel. 

Choosing the Right Choice Between Battery Backup and Generator

Here are some considerations which will help you make the smartest purchase:

Factors for Decision-making

Here are some factors to consider:

Power requirements: The generators can be a good choice if you have very high power needs or have a commercial space. However, if you have light to heavy-duty appliances at home or in a commercial space, you can choose a home battery backup with high power output.

The runtime needs: The power outages are generally short except in some special scenarios. Therefore, a battery system with good backups serves the needs. But if your area experiences long outages, generators can be good.

Budget: Generators can be light on the pocket if you have budget constraints. But, remember they have high running costs. In comparison, battery systems may have high upfront costs, but it's covered with low bills and negligible maintenance.

Portability: In this case, a backup system is the clear winner. They are very portable and perfect for both home & outdoor needs.

Noise levels: The home battery backup systems have negligible sounds compared to generators with high noise levels.

Installation: The installation of a home battery system is quite effortless as it can be mounted on walls and placed on any surface. However, generators may require outside installation, which may take time.

Maintenance costs: The battery system is the obvious conqueror in this section. They have very little maintenance and running costs. However, generators require regular inspections and fuel refills. 

Scenarios and Recommendations

Here are some recommendations for various scenarios:

Residential use: If you experience short outages, home battery systems can be a powerful and reliable energy source. It's environment and budget-friendly, and you can scale its battery according to your needs.

Small business: You can use a home battery system with additional batteries for companies that rely on electricity. However, if you experience long outages in your area, generators can be great, too.

Outdoor activities: For outdoor activities like camping, RV, events, parties, etc., portable battery backup systems are amazing. They have output ports to directly power all the devices.

BLUETTI UPS Battery Backup Power Your Home and Business

After evaluating all the factors of the power systems, the battery backup system, with its capability, flexibility, reliability, and modular design, seems a great option. The range of energy solutions BLUETTI provides is the one-stop solution for all your power needs.

It has all the solutions perfect for powering light to heavy appliances, outdoor activities, and commercial spaces. You can power them from the grid or solar energy solutions.

One such amazing solution is BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup with an incredible 9,000W power output, which can power all 120V/240V devices. You can scale its storage capacity from 9,920Wh~19,840Wh.

It features a modular design that can be installed inside and outside as it is IP65 water-resistant. With a premium LiFePO₄ battery, 10-year coverage, BLUETTI App via WiFi or Bluetooth control, etc., make it an all-rounder.

It also sells extra electricity back to the grid, which makes it more budget-friendly. Moreover, it can be paired with AC units and new and existing solar energy solutions.

Another amazing one in this range is BLUETTI AC500 + B300S | Home Battery Backup. It has 5,000W rated power, which can handle the initial surge of 10,000W. According to your requirement, you can expand its battery capacity from 3,072Wh to 18,432Wh with additional battery packs.

You can recharge this system in 6 ways (AC/Solar/Car/Generator/Lead-acid Battery/Dual Charing (AC/AC+Solar). Also, it comes with 16 well-regulated versatile outlets for powering 99% of devices.

With a year warranty, Smart APP Control, and LiFePO4 battery with 3,500+ life cycles to 80%, it is a power solution for various home needs.

Final Thoughts

The generators and battery backup system have their unique pros and cons. However, their main goal is to provide an uninterrupted supply of power. The choice depends on environmental and noise concerns, budget, and power needs. So, the tip is first to assess your present and future electricity needs. Consider factors like appliance power needs, running time, outages in your areas, portability, etc. After that, you can make the best choice that fits well for you. So, consider all the factors discussed in the article and bring access to power 24*7 to your home.

Luckily, to lessen the impact of the outage, you can bring home battery backups. It not only provides electricity during outages but smartly revolutionizes your energy needs. Here's everything about choosing a home battery backup for a TECO power outage to assist you further.

Check the Latest TECO Power Outage map Online

To know the latest update about the outage in your area, you can check the "https://outage.tecoenergy.com/". 

You can see here a detailed map of the region. Moreover, you can navigate the map to see the outage in your area, its reasons, and other important information. You can also sign up on this website to get text updates about all the outages in your area.

This most recent and exact information will help you know anything about TECO power outages. Moreover, you can also report an outage and convey other helpful information to the company.

Causes and Frequency of TECO Power Outages

The cause of the TECO power outages can be due to both planned and unplanned scenarios. Some of the top reasons for this are:

• Natural calamities can disrupt power lines and poles.
• Heavy rains can lead to trees falling on poles and lines.
• Road accidents can lead to damage to poles.
• Sometimes, wildlife also messes with poles and lines.
• There is regular time-to-time maintenance to minimize technical failures. These outages are planned and notified beforehand.
• There can be technical failures in the grid, transformers, poles, lines, etc.

The frequency of the TECO power outages depends on bad weather, accidents, or other scenarios. However, the maintenance outage can occur once a month.

Impact of TECO Power Outages on Homeowners

Here's how TECO power outages can impact homeowners:

Disrupting the normal flow of work: A lot of regular tasks are going on at home. For example, professional virtual meetings, getting ready for events, using appliances for cooking, and many other things. All these activities depend on power in one way or another, which may delay tasks.

Food issues: The stocked food can go stale during an outage, which creates lots of food wastage.

Temperature regulation: An outage during too-hot or too-cold weather can be bothersome. You can use alternatives to minimize these challenges.

Water issues: Some homeowners depend on water pumps for water supply. Therefore, storing drinking water and water for other purposes during or before predicted outages is best.

The outage can be a hassle in this digital era where all personal and professional tasks depend on electricity. You can lessen its impact with a powerful and reliable home battery backup. Refer to the section below for more information.

Benefits of Home Battery Backup Systems

Here are some benefits of adding a home battery backup system to your home:

Uninterrupted Power Supply(UPS) for Essential Appliances

A reliable and compatible battery backup system stores energy from the grid or off-grid to provide it during outages. It's helpful to give power to all essential appliances. 

For example, some powerful battery backups can run ACs, microwaves, hair styling tools, blenders, and, ofcourse, all lighting solutions. You can go for one which matches your power needs. Also, you can enhance its battery capacity with expansion battery packs.

Cost Savings and Energy Efficiency

One of the biggest advantages of the home battery system is that it is energy-efficient and cost-efficient. For example, it may store energy smartly at off-peak hours and discharge at high-demand hours, which leads to lower bills.

Also, when paired with solar panels, they give you clean and free energy. It stores energy, puts less environmental pressure, and has no bills. 

Reduced Dependence on the Grid

One of the other major benefits of home battery solutions is that it reduces dependence on the grid. If you pair a home battery solution with solar panels you can live off the grid. For example, solar panels provide electricity using sunlight during the day. 

At night or during bad weather, the battery solution will offer the stored energy from solar panels to power your home. This means you are harnessing clean energy, which is sustainable and very affordable.

Environmentally Friendly

The Home battery solutions are a stepping stone towards environmentally friendly energy needs. They are designed to be energy efficient, with less carbon footprint. Also, they are compatible with the grid as well as solar panels. 

To go completely off-grid, you can use solar panels during the day. The surplus energy created by solar panels is stored by the home battery solution, which can be used at night. This whole process means making a great environmental step.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Home Battery Backup

Here are factors to consider when choosing a home battery backup:

Battery Capacity and Power Output

Battery capacity is the amount of energy a battery can store. So, it's more the better. You can choose this according to the duration of the outage you face. If you have long outages, you can go with a higher one. Also, access the power needs of all the appliances to get the most compatible battery system with the right power output.

Compatibility with Existing Solar Panels (if applicable)

You can explore some options if you have existing solar panels and want a battery solution that can be paired with them. Some battery solutions can be paired with new and existing solar panels like BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup. It will help you be economical and store surplus energy created by solar panels to power your home at night. This means no bills and a negligible carbon footprint.

Battery Type: Lithium-ion vs. Lead-acid

Lithium-ion batteries are the most popular ones as they have high energy density. It means they store more energy in a small space. That's why they're efficient, compact, and widely used. However, they are a bit costly. In comparison, Lead-acid batteries are cheap. However, they are not energy efficient and require regular maintenance. 

Warranty and Lifespan

The lifespan of a battery is around ten years, but it depends on several other factors. But you can enhance it with proper care, too. So, always check its lifespan and warranty for the best home battery solutions. 

Cost and Return on Investment

You should outline your budget and explore the best in the range. However, the Return on Investment is great in-home battery solutions. Firstly, you will have access to power 24/7. Secondly, they smartly store energy so that you have lower bills. Finally, it can be more environmentally friendly and incredibly affordable when paired with solar panels.

Assessing Your Home Power Needs When to Meet TECO Power Outage

Here are some things to consider before choosing the right backup:

Determining Essential Appliances and Power Consumption

You don't want all your appliances to run during the outage, and that too simultaneously. You should check the important appliances and their power needs to find the power consumption. For example, if the critical load is 2200 Watts, you may need an output power of 2200 or more.

Calculating Required Battery Capacity

You can check your utility bills or use a power meter to calculate the required battery capacity. For example, if your critical load is 2200 and you need backup for 24 hours.

Then, (2,000 watts x 24 hours) = 48,000 watt-hours. You can use a battery offering 48,000 watt-hours or 48 kWh or more.

Best BLUETTI Home Battery Backup of 2023

BLUETTI offers reliable, durable, advanced, and best home battery backup. Also, great warranties, user experience, and quality are other perks. Some of the best in the range are:

BLUETTI EP900 + B500

BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup has a scalable storage capacity from 9,920Wh~19,840Wh. It has a whooping 9,000W power output, which can power all 120V/240V devices. It is the best with a premium LiFePO₄ battery, IP65 resistance, 10-year coverage, BLUETTI App via WiFi or Bluetooth control, etc.

It also sells extra electricity back to the grid, which makes it more budget-friendly. Moreover, it can be paired with AC units and new and existing solar energy solutions.

BLUETTI AC300 + B300

BLUETTI AC300+B300 Home Battery Backup is an amazing home battery backup system that is a reliable partner to store energy from the grid or solar panels. It's a 3,000W AC pure sine wave inverter with a 6,000W surge. AC300 has a scalable 3,072Wh capacity that can be boosted with 4 × B300 to get 12,288Wh.

Additionally, You can charge it in seven ways(AC/Solar/Car/Generator/Lead-acid Battery/Dual AC/AC+Solar). It features a LiFePO4 battery with 3,500+ life cycles to 80%, a great warranty, and a monitoring system.

Final Thoughts 

TECO power outages can occur due to unavoidable circumstances. But you can stay alert with the updates and online maps. Luckily, you can still enjoy access to power with home battery solutions. So, consider all the above-mentioned factors and choose the most compatible one that will last years. It will help you welcome power, low bills, and sustainable practices in your home. 

Luckily, you can access their friendly website to know about all the outages and be prepared. So, keep reading to dig deeper into outages, battery backups, and other aspects.

Check the latest NIPSCO Power Outage Map

You can visit the website "www.nipsco.com/outages/power-outages" for all the information about planned or unplanned power outages in your area. 

Follow these steps to find the NIPSCO power outage map:

• Open and Scroll down the website mentioned above.
• There will be a map. Now, navigate it to find the outages.
• Also, you can enter the area in the Search Bar to find information about your area.
• Moreover, this map is updated every 10 minutes so that the users can find the most up-to-date information.
• Below the map, there is a Sign Up For Alerts option. You can sign up and receive the latest updates about all the planned and unplanned outages.

Impacts of the NIPSCO Power Outage

Here are some impacts NIPSCO power outage can cause:

The Inability of Temperature Control Devices to Work

Performing regular activity in very hot or cold temperatures is tough. But, it becomes more tough during the outages when heat regulating devices don't work. It may cause lots of issues which may disrupt your day-to-day life. For example, freezing temperatures can lead to pipe bursts, affecting water supply.

Food Loss

Generally, everyone stocks their food essentials in the refrigerator. During outages, the food only remains fresh for a short time. This may cause food wastage. So, if you are aware of the outage, you should turn the fridge to maximum cooling so that food remains fresh.

Water Issues

Water issues are uncommon, but some homeowners depend on water pumps. In this case, there can be a bit of a problem. It's advised to keep some bottles and store water in emergencies.

Emergency Issues

During outages, the failure of laptops, devices, and other equipment may be a hassle. You may have to delay events, virtual calls, etc. It's best to schedule everything once the power is back.

Electronic Damage

During the repair, the electronics at your home may experience a surge, which can cause damage to the devices. It's best to unplug all the devices to keep your appliances safe.

Along with household impacts, long power outages also affect the working, products, and services of businesses, education institutes, hospitals, data centers, and industrial bodies. Therefore, there's a need to be prepared with a battery backup. Please keep reading to know more about it.

Measures to Ensure Household Power Continuity

Here are some measures to ensure household power continuity:

Household Power Needs Assessment

The very first step is to assess the household power needs. For this, you can check all your appliances and their power needs. Then, consider their running time, family members, etc. This will help you know how much energy and power a day or month needs.

This calculation will help you get backup solutions that align with your needs. For example, heavy gear like washing machines, microwaves, ACs etc demand high power. You may not run them simultaneously during an outage, but they are important. So, assess your present and future power needs.

Installation of Solar Power System

Solar panels are becoming more and more noticeable on rooftops. The reasons are incentives, the use of clean energy, and convenience. Contact an authorized dealer who knows all the laws, incentives, and processes to initiate it.

 If you know your power and energy ends, you can use a compatible number of solar panels. The solar cells in the panels absorb sunlight during the day to create electricity. It has an inverter that converts stored DC to AC, usable electricity. 

Maintenance and Testing of Solar Powered Generator

You must know that solar panels can generate electricity during sunlight hours. During the night or in bad weather, a solar power generator can help a lot. You can bring home a battery solution that can store extra energy produced by panels so that you can access power anytime. 

Also, these battery solutions are compatible with the grid and off-grid for recharging itself. However, to be prepared for the outage, you should regularly maintain solar power generators. It's best to initiate periodic inspections. Also, test them for how long they can sustain your needs.

Other Recommendations for Safeguarding Household Power Continuity

Here are some other recommendations for safeguarding household power continuity:

• Investing in a complete home battery solution is important. They are compatible with many sources, are flexible, expandable, and available in addition to home. For example, BLUETTI offers a great range of energy solutions for all home sizes, outdoor events, and more.
• You can go with rechargeable lighting to provide lighting solutions for some time.
• Try to get UPS, which is best for powering power banks, laptops, phones, etc, for a short duration.
• Invest in energy-efficient appliances that use less energy.
• It is better to have a stove, heating solutions etc which run on fuels.
• Always keep emergency lighting solutions handy.

BLUETTI Home Battery Backup Prepare NIPSCO Power Outage

NIPSCO power outages can occur due to unavoidable circumstances. The tip is to stay in touch with the website and alerts. The technicians try their best to restore the power. Meanwhile, you can use a reliable backup source to continue our day-to-day tasks.

One such range of products that can help you have access to power 24*7 is BLUETTI. They feature energy solutions for homes, commercial spaces, solar solutions, portable stations, etc, which are expandable, flexible, and reliable.

Some of them are:

BLUETTI EP900 + B500

BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup has a whooping 9,000W power output, which can power all 120V/240V devices. You can expand its storage capacity from 9,920Wh to 19,840Wh.

It features a modular design that can be installed inside and outside as it is IP65 water-resistant. With a premium LiFePO₄ battery, 10-year coverage, BLUETTI APP via WiFi or Bluetooth control, etc., make it an all-rounder.

It also sells extra electricity back to the grid, which makes it more budget-friendly. Moreover, it can be paired with AC units and new and existing solar energy solutions.

BLUETTI AC300 + B300

BLUETTI AC300+B300 Home Battery Backup is a kit and AC300 has 3,000W AC pure sine wave inverter with a 3,072Wh capacity (expandable). You can scale it with B300 up to 12,288Wh. Moreover, it can handle a surge of 6,000W.

You can charge it in seven ways (AC/Solar/Car/Generator/Lead-acid Battery/Dual AC/AC+Solar). Plus, it has 16 different types of output ports for charging devices. The LiFePO4 battery with 3,500+ life cycles to 80%, a four-year warranty, and App control makes it the best in class. Also, it has a dual charging mode to enhance the recharging. All these flexible options and user experience make it a great addition to home energy needs.

BLUETTI AC200MAX + PV200

BLUETTI AC200MAX+PV200 Solar Generator Kit  is a 2,200W AC pure sine wave inverter with a 4,800W surge. AC200MAX has a capacity of 2,048Wh, which can be expanded with 2×B230 to 6,144Wh or 2×B300 to 8,192Wh.

You can charge it in seven ways (AC/Solar/Car/Generator/Lead Battery/Dual AC/AC+Solar).

It has 16 different types of output ports for charging devices. Moreover, dual charging of Solar and AC can give an output of 1400W. Using a LiFePO4 battery with 3,500+ life cycles to 80%, smart monitoring control, and a great four-year warranty makes it another amazing solution.

Tips for Surviving in NIPSCO Power Outage

Here are a few tips to stay safe in the NIPSCO power outage:

• If you receive any bad weather alert, you should fill your cars, bring food, stock up on essentials, and stay safe.
• Check the website for planned outages.
• Create an emergency kit with batteries, flashlights, and other lighting solutions.
• Power all your rechargeable devices.
• Turn your refrigerator's power to maximum so the food stays fresh for a long time.
• It would be best if you charged your power stations full.
• Only perform the most important electricity-related task during the outage from an external power source.
• You can take out fuel-based stoves, grills, heating solutions, etc.
• Unplug all your devices from the sockets.
• Place an emergency medical kit handy.
• Don't visit the basement area if it's flooded.
• It would be best to keep some cash handy in an emergency.
• Stay in touch with the alerts and the official website for all the updates. 

Final Thoughts

NIPSCO power outages can occur due to inevitable circumstances. To lessen the effects, you can bring home a backup supply. These valuable additions work on and off the grid and store ample energy during outages. Moreover, they are environmentally friendly, smart, flexible, expandable, and beneficial. 

Here are all the tips to choose home backup power for DTE power outages to dwell into this better. 

Let's have a look!

Where Can you Find the Latest DTE Power Outage Info？

You can find the latest DTE power outage information on the official website of the DTE - https://www.dteenergy.com/. You can use this website to get all the latest updates about planned or unplanned, report outages, and get all the solutions related to energy needs.

Here are a few ways to find the latest DTE power outage info:

Check DTE Power Outage Online

Open the official website, then follow these steps:

• Please Scroll Down the website to find Outage Centre and click on it.
• In the Outage Reporting Section, select Check Outage Status.
• Enter the information like address or phone number.
• You will get detailed information about the outages.

Check the DTE Power Outage With Map

Open the official website, then follow these steps:

• Please Scroll Down to find Outage Centre and click on it.
• In the Outage Reporting Section, select View Outage Map.
• You will find the Map with all the outages and other important information.

Subscribe to DTE Alerts

Open the official website, then follow these steps:

• Please scroll down to find Outage Centre and click on it.
• Now Scroll Down to find the Sign Up for the Outage Alerts and open it
• You can sign in or sign up to subscribe to get all the latest updates.
• Also, you will receive text or email notifications about all the outages in your area.

What Causes DTE Power Outages？

Here are the top reasons for DTE power outages:

Weather

The weather conditions can play a great role in impacting the electricity. Sometimes heavy rainfall, storms, etc, can disrupt the lines and power poles. Not only this, but very extreme temperatures can also lead to power outages. 

For example, on an extremely hot day, everyone turns on the ACs, which puts pressure on the grid, leading to an outage. Also, freezing temperatures lead to trees falling on power lines due to ice accumulation.

Disasters

Natural or manmade disasters can lead to long outages. During these times, the technicians prioritize the most important work. Also, there's lots of havoc, which may delay the restoration.

Trees

Trees can fall on power lines due to rains, storms, ice accumulations, accidents, etc., which may lead to temporary outages that are fixed in a short time.

Accidents

Sometimes, road accidents lead to the striking of vehicles on power poles. This may lead to blackouts in the area. However, after addressing the commotion, it is repaired.

Maintenance

Like all the world's systems, the electrical system also demands time-to-time repairs. It may be a maintenance drill at a facility, transformers, poles, and lines. This ensures that there are no technical failures and no chances of outages. Also, these are planned outages that are notified beforehand.

Technical Failures

Sometimes, there can be unexpected technical failures in the units or outdoor components of electric systems. In this case, the technicians take time to assess the faults. This may lead to a blackout, which is tried to solve in the minimum time possible.

All these unforeseen reasons can cause power outages. Whatever the reason, the DTE personnel try to restore power as soon as possible. But, to mitigate the impact of the outage, it's best to bring a home battery backup so that you can do your important tasks without any hindrance. Please keep reading to know more about it.

Types of Home Backup Power Solutions

Here are popular types of home backup power solutions:

Portable Solar Generators

Portable solar generators are the most modular, innovative, and flexible backup power generators. They are idle for home as well as for outdoor events.

How do they work?

You can pair the portable solar generator with portable solar panels. You can install it at your home or any outdoor place. The generator recharges itself from the solar energy and stores it. Then, you can directly charge the appliance with various output ports available on the portable generators.

For example, the BLUETTI AC200MAX Expandable Power Station. It's a 2,200W AC pure sine wave inverter (4,800W surge). It has 2,048Wh capacity, but you can boost it to 6,144Wh with 2×B230 or 8,192Wh with 2×B300 with additional battery packs.

It can be charged via(AC/Solar/Car/Generator/Lead Battery/Dual AC/AC+Solar) and has over 16 output ports for multiple and simultaneous charging. It's the best fit with 61.9 lbs (28.1kg), modular designs, dual charging, and a great warranty.

Factors to consider before going for portable solar generators:

• You should assess the home power needs. If you face long outages or go on long outdoor trips, add additional battery packs to maximize energy storage.
• If you want to power heavy appliances, use a high-wattage power station.

Pros:

• It's budget-friendly.
• It comes with multiple output ports to charge all the devices.
• It can be recharged in several ways.
• They are more environmentally friendly.

Cons:

• If you have a heavy-duty home appliance, you should go for a high-rated power one.

Standby Generators

Standby generators are robust machines that are used to provide electricity during outages. They are best for powering all light to heavy appliances for a considerable time. Plus, they work on fuel and are connected to the electricity supply, so they start working as soon as the power is out. They are commonly used for events, commercial spaces, etc.

How do they work?

They use fuel like diesel, propane, natural gas, etc., to run the engine. It moves the shaft, which converts mechanical energy to electricity. As soon as the power is out, the generator generates electricity.

Factors to consider when going for standby generators:

• They have a heavy installation, which may require outdoor space.
• They are suitable for commercial spaces as they are large.

Pros:

• It can power all light to heavy appliances.
• Its run time is better.

Cons:

• The fuel-powered standby generators can cause emissions that are harmful to the environment.
• It requires fuel refilling, which means it has high running costs.

Solar Power Systems

The solar power system is a complete solution for all your electricity needs at home. They consist of solar panels and a battery backup system, which provides energy during the night or in outages. Also, the systems are quite flexible as they pair well with solar panels and grids.

For example, the BLUETTI AC300 + 1*B300 | Home Battery Backup. It's a 3,000W AC pure sine wave inverter (6,000W Surge). AC300 capacity is 3,072Wh and can be expanded with 4 × B300 to reach 12,288Wh.

 Moreover, it can be recharged in seven ways (AC/Solar/Car/Generator/Lead-acid Battery/Dual AC/AC+Solar). It has 16 various output ports to initiate direct device powering.

Another example is the BLUETTI EP500Pro Solar Power Station. It has 5100Wh capacity with 3000W of output. It has around 12 output ports to initiate direct charging. 

Moreover, all the BLUETTI energy solutions feature LiFePO4, which performs well even after many cycles. It's one to trust with smart control through the App, monitoring panel, great warranty, and experience.

How do they work?

Solar power systems have solar panels that produce electricity when the sun is out. They have an inverter that converts the store's electricity from a Direct Current ( DC) to an Alternating Current ( AC).

The extra energy is directed towards the home battery backup, which stores it to provide it at night or if there is a technical failure. The battery solution is also recharged with a grid or off-grid according to your needs.

Factors to consider before buying solar power solutions:

• If you completely go off-grid ( only rely on solar energy), you should consider home battery backup with compatible output and battery capacity.
• If you have a hybrid system, you can connect it to solar or grid.
• Always assess the power needs of the appliances and running time to get the most compatible home battery system.

Pros:

• It's environmentally friendly.
• It stores and discharges energy smartly to offer lower bills.
• You expand them according to your needs.
• They generally have less maintenance.

Cons:

• They may have high upfront costs. But, it is covered through the years with lower bills.

Choosing Home Backup Power to Prepare DTE Power Outage

Here are some tips to consider:

Budget: You should outline your budget and choose the best one in your range. While buying UPS home battery solutions, remember that it will pay you back, and you will receive lower bills and have cleaner energy for years.

Home power needs: You should read all the power needs of the appliances at home and their running time. Then, opt for the most compatible output power home backup power. Also, go for good battery capacity according to needs.

Noise levels: The noise level of UPS home battery solutions is gently low. In comparison, standby generators have very high noise.

Installation and maintenance cost: A home battery solution's installation and maintenance cost is very low and convenient. In comparison, the standby generators need regular maintenance fuel refilling, which means high running costs.

Brand: Always go for a brand with a good online presence, reviews, and name. It will help you choose reliable products, claim warranties, and call them anytime for assistance.

Final Thoughts

Home backup power for DTE power outages can help mitigate the challenges during blackouts. Imagine attending that important meeting over a laptop or getting ready for a huge event. You can do it all if you have reliable backup power. So, stay updated with the DTE website for all the updates and bring home reliable battery solutions.

While there are several options available on the market today when it comes to power during electricity outages, solar generators are the top ones. You can set them up in just a few minutes and only have to press a single button to start generating usable energy to juice up your devices and appliances. Here’s everything you need to know about preparing for power outages with portable solar generators. 

What Are Solar Generators?

Generally speaking, the term solar generator refers to any device that can get powered by the sun’s energy. However, when people use this term, they are mostly referring to a portable power station setup such as the ones available at BLUETTI. 

These special systems can capture the sun’s energy through integrated solar panels that then supply the energy to an internal storage system (typically consisting of lithium-ion batteries). 

While solar generators might not be the right choice to power large homes and offices, they can be extremely handy for camping, off-grid living, boats, campervans, or as an emergency backup if your area undergoes a blackout. 

How Do Solar Generators Work?

A solar generator works by combining solar panels, a battery, a charge controller, and an inverter into a compact system that can convert solar energy into usable electric current. 

To better understand how solar generators work, let’s take a look at all the components separately. 

• Solar Panels: Solar panels are the most essential part of a solar generator. Silicon solar panels are available in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. However, they all work the same way. That is, they convert sunlight into electricity, more specifically, direct current. Every cell within an array can produce small watts and voltage. However, when these cells are wired together, they can produce significantly more.
• Battery: Solar generators need to have a high-quality battery backup system to store excess energy for later use. The best solar generators today have lithium-ion batteries which have higher efficiency and are lightweight compared to lead-acid batteries.
• Charge Controller: A charge controller is an essential component of every high-quality charge controller. It regulates the current and voltage coming from the solar panels and prevents the batteries from getting overcharged.
• Inverter: The inverter converts the direct current flowing in from the battery into an alternating current that is used by your household devices and appliances. If your house or workplace runs on DC power, you might not need an inverter. 

Solar Generator vs. Gas Generator

Solar generators and gas generators are the two most widely used power solutions. Both these options have their advantages; however, solar-powered generators are more resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective than conventional, gas-fired generators. 

In this section, we take a look at the differences between solar generators and gas generators. 

1.     Dependability

While both kinds of generators can power your appliances in an outage, gas generators require more supervision for optimal performance over the long term compared to solar generators. 

Moreover, gas generators require yearly maintenance to keep the warranties valid and must be run frequently (a process known as “exercising”) between uses. This ensures that the mechanical systems are tuned up and safe to use when you actually require backup electricity. On the other hand, solar generators require minimal maintenance to run optimally. All you have to do is dust the system, remove cobwebs, check the connections, and apply an anti-corrosive paste once in a while. 

Another disadvantage of a gas-powered generator is that you are dependent on external fuel sources. Thus, there’s a chance of you running out of fuel during a natural disaster when there’s none available. Plus, purchasing fuel continually over time can become very costly. 

2.     Air and Noise Pollution

Gas generators create noise and air pollution. They emit carbon monoxide along with other dangerous pollutants, which makes them more eco-unfriendly and dangerous. As gas generators have to be placed outdoors for safety, they can really reduce the aesthetic appeal of your property, and the noise they produce can disturb the peace of your house. In fact, several homeowners’ associations might not allow you to use it in the first place as they can disrupt the landscape of an area and create disturbance for neighbors. 

Conversely, a solar generator reduces your carbon footprint by eliminating air pollution. Our new range of BLUETTI solar generators is available in modern and sleek designs and offers more placement options. They aren’t too noisy and won’t impact the visual appeal of your property. 

3.     Interaction with Grid Supply

Backup generators are only designed to be used in case of a power outage. Thus, when the grid is stable, the generator is switched off and accumulates dust. However, if you use solar, you can charge your battery-powered solar generator using the excess solar energy generated during the day and utilize the stored energy at night. As a matter of fact, your solar generator can even charge from the grid when there’s low demand and discharge when the demand and cost of electricity are high. Consequently, this can significantly reduce your energy bill. 

4.     Cost

The key advantage of using a solar generator is that the power source is entirely free! As long as the sun shines and the system is free of damage, you will have constant access to electricity. Keep in mind that the upfront cost of a solar generator might be higher than a conventional generator. However, the total cost over the lifetime of a gas generator will be equal to or higher than that of a solar generator. This is because of some important factors: 

• Service and Maintenance: Solar generators require minimal maintenance, whereas gas generators require annual service to ensure they operate efficiently and safely.
• Cost of Fuel: Your solar generator can produce electricity using free energy from the sun. However, if you have a gas generator, you will have to purchase costly fuel to juice up the machine.
• Government Incentives: The US government offers several incentives for investing in energy-efficient upgrades, which include using solar energy to power your home. On the other hand, gas generators are typically not financially incentivized. 

How to Purchase a Solar Generator for Power Outages?

Once you have made up your mind to purchase a solar generator to prepare for power outages, you need to ensure that your system provides you with the power you need. There are various measurements that are going to help. Making your decision while keeping these factors in mind will help you pick the right system for your needs. 

1.     The Capacity of the Generator

The capacity – or watt-hours – of the solar generator help ensure it can power appliances for the period of time you require. The measurement indicates how much continuous energy the generator can provide for an hour when its battery is fully charged. It even allows you to estimate how much power the generator can provide before requiring a recharge. For instance, under ideal conditions, a 600-watt-hour solar generator can run a 50-watt bulb for approximately 12 hours or two 100-watt devices for almost three hours before the battery dies. 

Note that the calculations given above are mere estimates, and you might not be able to use the full capacity. For instance, the temperature can impact the battery’s capacity. 

2.     Your Power Requirements

Apart from the capacity, you also have to consider your power requirements. For instance, in case of a power outage, do you only need to charge your laptop or phone? In that case, you can choose a portable solar system with a lower capacity of around 300 – 400 watt-hours. 

On the other hand, if you wish to keep your refrigerator and heaters running during an outage, you will surely have to choose a portable solar generator with a higher battery capacity of approximately 1400 – 1500 watt-hours. 

To find out the battery capacity that matches your requirements, multiply the total wattage of the devices you have to power by the time you will power them. Get a generator that has a watt-hours capacity higher than the result. 

3.     Charging Speed

The charging method and battery size impact the amount of time it takes the battery to charge fully. Moreover, a bigger battery will take longer to charge compared to a smaller battery. 

The guide provided by the manufacturer will have an estimate of charging time depending on the generator’s charging speed and the specific power input from solar panels. This mostly depends on the maximum solar power input that you cannot always expect. For instance, cloudy weather conditions can slow down the charging. 

Thus, a solar generator with a 200-watt solar panel that charges for ten hours might need a few days to charge completely. Factor this in with the power requirements and battery capacity. For instance, if you need a portable solar generator to power a TV, lights, and mobile devices for multiple days, ensure the charge rate and the capacity will give you the energy you require during that period. 

4.     Starting Watts Measurement

The starting watts measurement, also known as the peak power output of a solar generator, indicates the power the generator can briefly provide before it settles into the running output. This measurement is going to be higher than the running watts. This short surge of additional power is required to start an electric motor on devices such as a fan or a mini fridge. If you need to power a device with a motor, check its starting watts measurements and ensure the generator’s peak power output is able to accommodate it. 

5.     Charging Outlets and Ports

Various solar generator models have different ports and outlets to power appliances and devices simultaneously. Some common plugs include AC outlets, USB ports, etc. Your portable solar generator should have multiple charging ports and outlets so that you can easily charge your devices. 

6.     Type of Battery

Solar generators either use lithium-ion or lead-acid batteries for energy storage. Generators with lead batteries will usually be cheaper than those with lithium-ion batteries. However, lithium-ion batteries are going to last longer. Moreover, lithium-ion batteries are lighter, which can be quite a useful feature if you need your system to be portable.  

Wrapping Up

Portable solar generators are an excellent way to keep yourself powered during a power outage. At BLUETTI, we have a variety of solar generators that you can choose according to your needs. For instance, the BLUETTI EP500 + 6*PV200 | Solar Generator Kit with a capacity of 5,100 watt-hours can run your entire house for 3 to 5 hours. To learn more, click the link below. 

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At the time of writing this article, there is currently 16,282 homeowners without electricity in the state of California alone. 

Just take a look at this report by EIA which reveals how much time the average American goes without electricity per year. 

The purpose of us revealing this information is not to create panic.

Instead, we'd like to shed some light on just how long we all go without electricity every year, and what we can do to fill in the dark hours. 

If you live in the of Louisiana or Oklahoma, we'd recommend you pay particular attention to this article, as you are likely to experience over 45 hours without power each year. 

What Is A Power Outage?

A power outage can be a short or long term state of electric power loss to certain given area. It can affect a single house, building, or an entire city.

Other common names for power outage include power failure, blackout, outage, brownout, power disruption or electrical failure.

Types of power outages

1. Transient Fault

• A transient fault is a loss of power most commonly caused by a fault somewhere along a power line. Power to your home will be automatically restored once the fault is found and repaired.

2. Brownout

• A brownout is a sudden drop in voltage in a nearby electrical power supply. The term brownout was coined due to the fact that lights will dim when the power supply experiences a voltage sage. Brownouts cause equipment to perform poorly and sometimes even incorrectly.

3. Blackout

• A blackout equates to a total loss of all power supply to an area and is regarded as the most severe form of power outage that can occur. Blackouts which are caused by a power station tripping are known to be fairly difficult to recover from quickly. These types of power outages can last for a few minutes or potentially up to a few weeks, depending on the nature of the blackout and the configuration of the electrical network

What To Do During A Power Outage?

In this section of our article we aim to reveal various different things you can do during a power outage. 

1. Create Your Own Electricity

What seems more applicable than creating your own electricity during a power outage? Very few things, that's the answer. 

The question is how do you create your own electricity? Quite simple, with solar panels. You can use portable solar panels to generate your own electricity. 

All you have to do is place them in the sun and the photovoltaic effect will begin take place. You can learn more about this process in one of our other dedicated articles. 

2. Store Your Own Electricity 

Generating your own electricity is an amazing feat, but you might be wondering where you will put all that energy. As you may be aware it is rare that we use electricity 24/7. Therefore generating your own electricity does come at a cost. What if you only need electricity when the sun has gone down? 

This would mean all that generated electricity went to waste throughout the day. 

Well it would, if you couldn't store that generated electricity. Enter, the BLUETTI solar generator. 

With a solar generator you can store all your generated electricity for later use. So even if you need power at night, you can use the energy your solar panels collected during the day, from your solar generator at night. 

3. Create Your Own Candles

This one also almost feels like a slap in the face to power outages. We recommended creating candles during the day. 

Then at night, you can simply light those candles to produce energy in the form of fire, this will do two things. Release heat energy, but also limited amounts light. 

Just make sure you take precaution when using candles, as an open flame inside the house can be a risky combination. 

4. Make a bonfire 

Similar to point number 3, except on a much more grander scale. Creating a bonfire will produce tons of heat and light (and kids love them). 

Of course, you will need space (ideally outdoors) to make this idea a reality.

You could look in creating a DIY fire pit with your kids which could be a fun activity for the whole family to partake in together. 

Here, check out this video on how to do so. 

There is just something special about the age old idea of fire. Our ancestors have been making fires since the beginning of time (more or less) but interestingly, sitting by a fire even has health benefits. 

Additionally, according to research carried out by the University of Alabama sitting by a fire can decrease your blood pressure. 

Top 5 States That Experience The Most Power Outages

• Top 1: California takes the first spot with 438 outages that were caused mostly by accidents, animals, faulty equipment and weather.
• Top 2: Texas is next on top of the list with 192 outages.
• Top 3: New York was next on the list with 165 outages that lasted on average about an hour.
• Top 4: Ohio was next with less outages than New York,158 power outages, mostly caused due to weather
• Top 5: In 2017, Michigan was in the top 5 states in the US with the most power outages, 155 outages caused by different reasons with 36% from weather problems and 23% from faulty equipment.

In Conclusion

Knowing what to do during a power outage can prove useful for the entire family (especially the kids). 

If you live in an area that experiences very frequent power outages, it may be worth taking a look to see if there are any local power outage apps which predict or know the schedule of the outages. 

With this information you will be able to prepare for any blackouts before they hit you. 

As global warming continues to wreak havoc on our planet resulting in extreme weather conditions, melting glaciers, increased temperatures, and more, we need to look for sustainable alternatives to more parts of our daily lives. This involves the move to using solar power stations to generate and store renewable, green energy for our backup power requirements.

A solar power station doesn't just create dependable and renewable electricity from the sun but also minimizes the emissions of dangerous greenhouse gases associated with conventional energy backup systems. Consequently, manufacturers are aiming to improve solar backup generators and make them more dependable than their fuel-powered counterparts.

In this article, we will take a closer look at solar power stations, including their benefits, how long they can last, what you can run on them, and much more.

Benefits of a Solar Power Station

Here are some incredible benefits of a solar power station.

1.     Portable and Lightweight

One major problem with other kinds of solar power generators is that they're too bulky and large to carry around. This makes them difficult to move around and use at any location where you require power other than your workplace or home. The best thing about a portable power station is its compact size – you can easily carry them around for road trips, camping trips, or to events where you need power.

2.     High Utility

You can use solar power stations for a number of different purposes. Whether you have to charge your laptop, phone, or power appliances in an emergency, these systems have got you covered! Some solar power stations come with built-in lights and fans, which makes them highly useful and versatile in a vast number of situations.

3.     Sustainable Source of Energy

A huge problem with conventional power sources is that they aren't eco-friendly. Fortunately, solar power stations don't use any harmful chemicals or burn any fossil fuels to function. This means you won't be negatively impacting the environment as you use the system.

4.     Low Noise

Solar power stations make very little noise as they work. Perhaps the only noise you will hear is the humming of the fan. Moreover, certain models are entirely silent – making them ideal for both outdoors and indoors.

Having a quiet solar power system on standby is important for emergency situations if you wish to keep your peace of mind without getting disturbed by the noise around you.

5.     Low Maintenance Requirements

Solar power stations don't require a lot of maintenance. This makes them one of the most low-maintenance energy sources on the market today. You don't have to undertake any maintenance activities other than keeping your equipment clean. This means you don't have to worry about or spend money on expensive replacement parts or costly repairs.

6.     Numerous Available Options

Solar power stations are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. Thus, you can easily find the right one that suits your particular needs. Whether you need a small generator for charging your devices on camping trips or a large one to power appliances during a power outage, there will surely be an option that will be right for you!

Things to Keep in Mind When Using Solar Power Stations

Even though there are several benefits of using solar power stations, there are a few things you need to be mindful of.

1.     Sensitivity to Temperatures

Some solar generators are unable to withstand prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Thus, you need to make sure that you keep the power station in a cooler place while you keep the solar panels exposed to the maximum amount of sunlight.

2.     Unreliable Source of Energy

The sun's energy is unreliable and inconsistent. There are several areas in the world that have limited sun hours and other weather conditions that impact the effectiveness of solar panels. Solar power stations can only work optimally in subtropical and tropical climates because sunlight is reliable there.

3.     High Initial Costs

The initial investment in a solar power station is quite high and could be a turn-off for a lot of people. Fortunately, the maintenance and running costs are quite low (almost zero), so you don't have to worry too much about incurring regular costs.

4.     Low Energy Storage

Solar power stations are not a good option if your energy requirements are too high. For example, in the event of a power outage, your solar power station might not be adequate to run all appliances and devices in your house. In a lot of cases, they are running a couple of devices at a single time, such as a television, refrigerator, or light.

What Can You Run on a Power Station?

Even though a solar power station can provide electricity without the presence of active sunlight, there are limitations to what it can achieve. For instance, it won't be able to power an entire house, but it can offer comfort during power outages. Appliances such as small refrigerators, televisions, lights, laptop chargers, and phone chargers can easily be operated with a 300-watt solar power station. Additionally, a portable solar power station might be more appropriate for activities such as boondocking or camping.

Certain solar power stations can power more than their watt capacity. They do this by using high-tech charge controllers that enable the device to provide an output higher than 1,000 watts. While your solar power station might die out sooner, it can be helpful in circumstances when you have to charge or use appliances in an emergency.

If you look at the specifics, a regular space heater consumes 1,300 to 1,500 watts of electricity and approximately 700 watts when turned to its lowest setting. This indicates that a lot of solar power stations cannot power a space heater. However, even these more power-consuming appliances can be run if you have the right equipment.

There are solar power stations that can handle it; some can produce energy up to 2,000 watts. Thus, being able to run a space heater is all about owning a power station that's big enough to do so.

If you find this impressive, you can even go a step further. Solar generators can also power a good pump, making them excellent choices for people who live in remote areas where municipal services can be undependable.

How Long Will Power Stations Last?

Generally speaking, a solar power station can last between 25 to 35 years, depending on the quality and brand. While the initial investment is high, it's one that's going to last for a long while. Moreover, several solar power stations come with warranties. Thus, if there is a problem or issue, you can get it repaired.

The Best Solar Power Station

There are several options in the market when it comes to choosing a solar power station. All you need to do is narrow down your options and compare the different features of the systems and then pick one that meets your needs.

Here are our top picks for the best solar power station.

1.     BLUETTI EP500Pro Solar Power Station                             

The BLUETTI EP500Pro Solar Power Station is a portable power station that produces a 3000W sine wave output. It comes with two different modes, including in-grid UPS mode and flexible UPS mode, along with off-grid power storage. Apart from that, this solar power station provides a flexible recharging method so that you can keep your EP500 on continuously. It also features a smart touchscreen and app remote control.

2.     BLUETTI EP500 Solar Power Station

The BLUETTI EP500 Solar Power Station is another portable power station producing a 2000W sine wave output. It allows you to load multiple devices simultaneously and offers a smart touchscreen, app remote control, flexible charging methods, and off-grid power storage.

3.     BLUETTI EB55 Portable Power Station

The BLUETTI EB55 Portable Power Station has a 537Wh capacity and produces a 700W AC sine wave. It has 12 outputs for multiple devices and six options for recharging (solar, generator, dual AC, Solar + AC, AC, car). Priced at $399, this is a fairly cost-effective power station. Moreover, it's gas-free, quiet, and eco-friendly.

This solar power station is perfect for individuals who are looking for a small source of energy and don't wish to spend large sums of money. It is especially great for outdoor use and can power most small residential appliances. Additionally, the battery is quite efficient, allowing it to store more energy than models with comparable batteries.

Can the BLUETTI Power A Refrigerator?

If you are wondering whether the BLUETTI solar power station can power a refrigerator, you're in for some good news because the answer is yes! The BLUETTI EP500Pro and the BLUETTI EP500 are large enough to power a fridge for a considerable period of time.

What's more, is that there are plenty of benefits of using a solar power station to run a fridge. For instance, if the kWh of electricity costs $0.12, it means you can save $122 by investing in a solar power station. An average solar generator can last for up to 25 years if maintained properly. This means you can save $3050 over the lifetime of the solar power station by making the switch to solar.

And that's not even including the increasing electricity prices and tax credits you get by investing in renewable solar energy. Thus, if you are looking for an off-grid solution to power your refrigerator, solar is surely the way to go!

Last Few Words

Solar power stations are a smart alternative to conventional gas-powered generators – they are quiet and don't produce any fumes. In addition, they don't generate any harmful emissions, can cut down your carbon footprint, and allow flexible indoor and outdoor operations.

At BLUETTI, we have a vast range of solar power stations and solar generators so you can power your appliances in the most sustainable way possible.

Shop Bluetti for all your solar needs!

Reasons to Get a Power Generator

Getting an emergency power generator in summer to serve as a backup for your homes is crucial. It reduces cost of living and ensures uninterrupted power especially after an unexpected power outage.

A power generator provides electricity to your home during an blackout and it is an ideal unit that should be added to your emergency kit.

Here are some reasons why having a home generator is important:

1.  Keeps Your Important Appliances Running

When you have an emergency generator, it will assist in your homes by keeping your appliances and equipment running.like overhead lights, refrigerators, and even medical equipment. It serves as a backup source after a power outage.

2.  Prevents Food Spoilage

Power Outage can happen, especially when you stock up your refrigerator. So having an emergency generator can help keep your food from spoiling and save money.

3. Offers You Peace of Mind

No one likes feeling helpless during an emergency.Thanks to the emergency generator. you don’t have to rely too much on the local electricity when the grid goes down, and it keeps your home calm and ready for power to be restored.

Should you buy a Power Generator?

A power generator is excellent to get because when there is a power outage, it serves as a backup to your home, thereby keeping it more comfortable and safe. It is an ideal item to add to your emergency and weather preparedness checklist. So it's a very crucial emergency device, especially in areas where power outages are frequent.

Another importance you need to purchase an emergency generator is because you need it to power some appliances of your home to avoid financial losses when the power goes off for days.

We Picked for You

BLUETTI EB55 537wh/700w portable power station

If you’re looking for a budget power generator for house, the BLUETTI EB55 537 WH/700W portable power Station is second to none.

This power generator consists of ultra-stable LiFeP04 battery with a built-in Battery Management System(BMS).

It is highly recommended for homes because it creates multiple protection while offering BLUETTI EB55 solar generator 2500+ charge cycles before reaching 80% capacity.

It supports 400 watts of input, making it fully charged in just two hours. You can also charge it with BLUETTI PV200 SOLAR PANEL to save your electricity bill.

Another highlight is that it can charge 13 devices simultaneously. At the top of it, there is a 15w wireless charging pad where you can put your smartphone on to charge.

BLUETTI AC 200MAX- POWER STATION +3* PV-200

Highly recommended for high-budget homes.

AC200MAX silent power generator has about 2048 Wh battery capacity and features a LiFePO4 battery.

It also has a 100w PD 3.0 USB –C port, an Upgraded MPPT Controller, which can handle up to 900W of solar power with an inbuilt -30A NEMA TT-30 Outlet designed specifically for RV Crowds.

If you want to go camping, it will help you to charge your iPad, Macbook, smartphone or other devices you need when camping.

Thanks to it can use BLUETT PV200 solar panels to charge it, so you don't have to worry about running out of electricity when you're in the campground.

AC200 MAX supports two additional battery packs, using either the BLUETTI B230 or B300. You can also expand it from about 2048Wh to a massive 6144Wh (2*B230) or 8192WH (2*B300) that can run over the capacity for hours, days, or weeks.

BLUETT AC300+2*B300 COMBO

If the capacity of the above two power generator for houses cannot satisfy you, then there’s BLUETTI AC300 for you.

It should be noted that AC300 has no internal battery pack, so it needs to connect with BLUETTI B300 battery. Each B300 holds 3072Wh. AC300 accepts up to 4 B300 batteries to achieve 12,288Wh.

What can you do with one B300?

You can use the microwave to heat up the meal 45 times, or power the refrigerator for 10 hours, or run the air conditioner for 3 hours.

Waiting for charging is never a pleasure. When plugged into a wall socket and solar panel, AC300 can support a total input rate of up to 5400W*.

It uses top-tier lithium iron phosphate cells that can handle over 3500+ life cycles while maintaining about 80% of its original capacity.

Pros of power generator for house

There are some pros of getting a power generator which are :

• In fact, investing in powergenerators can minimize costs. The initial investment cost of a solar power generator may be very high, but since it does not require natural gas or other fuels in the later period, its overall cost is very low and almost does not require maintenance.
• The other main benefit of owning a home generator is in winter. You can use it to power your air conditioner to keep the room warm. Or use it to cook, so that you have hot food to eat incold
• The importance of having a power generatorwill help keep the power to your home running in the event of a storm or natural disaster. Power outages caused by natural disasters are always frightening, because you can't get real-time information from the outside world. But the power generator can keep your smart phone powered at all times, so you can get the latest information in time, or ask for help from the outside world.
• Power generator for houses can power whatever your family needs, so when there is a power outage, you will get guaranteed power for all your major appliances, including your air- conditioning and heating system, water heater system, refrigerator, sump –pump, garage door opener. Also, it ensures the home security system is armed and your gadgets and phones, and laptops charged.

Frequently asked questions:

Q: What size of generator do you need to power up your house?

A: You can often sketch the size of generator you need to before buying it, so I recommend first calculating the number of appliances in your home and getting a 500 to 7500 watts size generator.

Another key point when considering the size when you want to purchase a house generator is to check the exact wattage of your home appliances.

Q: Is it worth getting a housegenerator?

A: Yes, it is surely worth buying a power generator for house.

When you buy it, you consider the significant comfort of your home, and you only need to do your simple calculation and cost estimate when choosing the right size you need.

Q: Is the power generatorvery expensive?

A: Yes, its price is expensive. The prices of solar generators on the market range from $300 to $5,000. But it costs almost nothing after you buy it. You can charge it with solar panels or mains supply.

Q: Can I use the power generator when camping?

A: YES, you can. 

Conclusion

Power generators for home are very efficient and provide assurance to your homes when there is a power outage. It keeps your home at peace during the winter period. It is very quiet and can run for hours or even days. So instead of losing money, it is very affordable and relatively better than its alternatives.

Once the power is out, many areas of the house or building become unusable–with no light, heating, or proper cooling.

This blog post will detail how a power station for power outage ensures hot water and other essential services are still available. We'll also make recommendations on how you can prepare your home or building for a power outage before it happens so that you're ready for the worst.

Worst power outages in US history

In September of 2003, the southwest experienced three days of power outages. This was due to a malfunction in the failing Palo Verde nuclear plant in Arizona. Additionally, 17 states experienced power loss due to rolling blackouts or heat waves.

The heat caused many electric systems to melt, so technicians were forced to cut power for safety reasons. The heat and power outages caused about $28 billion in damages. Many thought the power problems were due to terrorists making use of the power grid. 

Another major power outage that lasted many days occurred in December of 2003. In July 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast and blocked the flow of natural gas to many states. However, both power outages were due to normal faults in the power grid, which was not designed to withstand the stresses of hurricane damage.

The most recent power outage in the United States happened in 2016. In August 2016, there was a massive squirrel attack on distribution lines in western Pennsylvania. The blackout caused power to be out for about 100,000 people and nearly 9 million customers. This was caused by a system operator who failed to redirect power and other services over fiber lines to those cut-offs. This caused a massive multi-state failure.

Power station for a power outage

Portable power stations are often used for emergencies when the electricity disappears. Some of our power station products that can recharge batteries during an outage are:

BLUETTI AC50S 500WH/300W PORTABLE POWER STATION

This portable power station provides charging power for notebooks, digital cameras, and camcorders.

The AC50S may be small and light, but it packs a powerful punch when it comes to powering up your gadgets. Its weight is 13.6 pounds, with dimensions of 11.6 x 7.5 x 7.7 inches.

In addition to charging your smartphone 36 times, it can also power various other gadgets for several hours. The battery can charge various devices, including a 60W CPAP machine, for over six hours via various charging modes.

A solar panel array, such as the BLUETTI SP120 Solar Panel, may be used to charge the BLUETTI AC50S or use mains electricity.

You can even charge it while driving by plugging it into the car's cigarette lighter socket.

BLUETTI AC200P 2000WH/2000W PORTABLE POWER STATION

The BLUETTI AC200P 2000 Wh Portable Power Station is one of many products that provide backup power.

The BLUETTI AC200P 2000WH/2000W PORTABLE POWER STATION provides 2000 watts of power from a pair of 5,600mAh rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Combined with the BLUETTI PV200 solar panel array alone, the BLUETTI AC200P powers your equipment better and more affordably with less clutter!

It has 17 output ports and can charge multiple devices at the same time, such as smartphone, iPad, Macbook.

BLUETTI AC300+2*B300 COMBO PORTABLE POWER STATION

A single BLUETTI AC300 may take up to four B300 battery modules, resulting in 12.288 kWh of storage capacity. What can you do with per B300?

AC300 power station integrates a solar charge controller, AC charge controller, AC inverter, lithium battery and battery management system into one. It converts
clean and environmentally friendly solar energy and grid electricity into clean
electricity and sends it to all of your connected loads.

Pros of power stations

There are many benefits of a power bank for power outages.

Firstly, it is very versatile, which means it will suit almost all of our outdoor recreational activities.

Secondly, it is a robust and rugged product that offers many years of maintenance-free use.

Thirdly, it is very affordable as compared to traditional energy stations during the lifetime of the customers.

Another benefit is that they can power almost all electrical appliances such as laptops, TVs, DVD players, and lights. Suitable for front-of-house and rear-of-house applications. Suitable for multiple zones within the customer's property, each unit can power up to six appliances or devices.

1. Portable Size

An advantage of having multipurpose solar energy systems is compact, collapsible, and ready for shipping. This reduces costs, storage requirements, and shelf space requirements that are very manageable and very convenient.

2. Last Long

Battery banks for power outages are beneficial because they generally last many years and can be charged with solar electricity. Their efficiency levels are also excellent, and their exterior will not degrade in quality by weather, poor handling, and so on.

3. Quiet

Battery-powered stations are rather quiet, allowing for casual conversation around the campfire. There's no need to yell. Because these portable power stations are so quiet, you may use them during the day without bothering anyone else. They also have a low-battery indicator, so you won't be left in the dark if your power station dies.

 4. Low maintenance

The newer portable power station requires little to no maintenance. Portable power stations are intended to be low-maintenance, and don't require much upkeep, and are simple to clean.

How to prepare for power outages?

Whether you know when a power outage will happen or not, you need to be prepared for it in case of emergency. You need to get a portable power station and the type of outages it covers so you can prepare accordingly. Get ready for your portable power station to supply emergency power and keep your family safe and warm. Also, ensure you have your emergency kit prepared. Having a battery bank for power outages is the first thing you need to do.

FAQ

Q1: How long will a portable power station last?

A standard portable power station may last anywhere from 10-24 hours on a fully charged battery. The longevity of a battery is determined by its age, kind of battery, size, and the number of gadgets utilized with the power station.

Q2: Is a portable power station worth it?

A portable power station is an ideal solution if you need to charge common personal devices and small appliances while away from household AC outlets for extended periods or if you want to have backup power ready to go in case of an emergency.

Q3: How safe are portable power stations?

Portable power stations are quite safe as they are silent, do not provide a substantial fire risk, and require little to no maintenance. Portable power stations, unlike portable generators, emit no CO, allowing them to be used securely indoors. They have been used to power everything from residences and hospitals to airports and whole countries.

Q4: What should I look for when buying a power station for power outages?

It would be best to ask yourself a few questions, such as the unit's amperage, storage capacity, and of course, power usage capability. In addition, you should ensure it has multi charging points where you can plug your iPhone, iPad, or any other device. Size also matters; battery type and cost are other things you should look out for before buying a portable power station

During a home power outage, you can easily power some of the vital appliances and electronic devices you use in your everyday routine.

The best generator for home power outages can power lights, television, and computers, enabling you to conduct your activities without disruptions conveniently.

Generators are also incredible for offering emergency power in homes, businesses, and hospitals.

They are an excellent investment and will enable you to stay comfortable and relaxed during a home power outage. 

Top 5 U.S. states for power outages

There are several leading causes of power outages in the United States. Some of the common causes of power outages in the U.S. include blown transformers, wind, storms, ice, overloaded power stations, and downed power lines. Animal damage and vehicle accidents can also result in power outages.

There are different causes for power outages in the various states of the United States. Some of the states prone to power outages include Michigan, Ohio, Texas, New York, and California.

The relevant authorities in the U.S. have put various measures to ensure that they are prepared to handle and resolve any power outages in the states.  

If you live in these states, it is a wise choice to prepare the best generator for home power outages

Different types of generators

1. Home standby generators

A standby generator is a permanent unit generator that you can connect straight to your electrical panel.

A home standby generator offers a dependable energy solution in the unfortunate event of a power outage. The generator will allow you to power various appliances and other electronics in the house.

Home standby generators are efficient since they automatically turn on immediately when the power goes out, thus offering electricity for essential appliances, including water heaters, air conditioners, washing machines, and freezers.

2. Portable generators 

Portable generators offer electricity by operating a gas-powered engine which turns an on-board alternator to produce electrical power.

The unit’s power outlets allow you to plug electric-powered tools, extension cords, appliances, and electronic devices into it. The number of outlet combinations in the generator will depend on the amount of power in the generator.

Some of the main components assembled into one metal frame single unit in a typical portal generator include the alternator, fuel tank, outlets, starter, and internal combustion engine.

3. Inverter Generators

Inverter generators are an advanced version of a portable generator with an electronic upgrade.

An inverter generator adjusts its engine speed automatically to the required electrical demand, rather than operating at a constant speed no matter the load size. This considerably reduces the noise levels and fuel consumption.

Inverter generators require little maintenance compared to fuel-powered or conventional counterpart generators. The inverter generators are also portable, and they are designed with wheels and carrying handles to enhance easier mobility.

4. Portable power stations

The power station is battery-powered equipment, charged by being inserted into an electrical outlet. It’s a device that can store or reserve electrical power in an internal battery for later use.

Portable power stations provide electricity of up to 1000 W, although there are devices and exceptions on the market with much higher capacity. Portable power stations provide power through control panels that feature different outlets.

Power stations function by converting the battery’s direct current into alternating current, making it suitable for powering electronic devices, including laptops and mobile phones.

Pros of the best generator for home power outages

It’s quiet: The battery-powered radio station is quite quiet, and you can talk freely around the campfire. No need to yell. Since these portable power stations are very quiet, you can use them during the day without disturbing others. They also have a low battery indicator, so if your power station is dead, you will not be fooled.

It’s portable: One advantage of a multi-purpose solar system is that it is compact, foldable and ready to be transported. This reduces costs, storage requirements and shelf space requirements that are very easy to manage and very convenient.

It’s low maintenance: Newer portable power stations require almost no maintenance. The portable power station is designed for low maintenance, does not require much maintenance, and is easy to clean.

The top 3 best generators for home power outage

For low-budget people: 

BLUETTI EB70S 716wh/800w portable power station

The BLUETTI EB70 is a new creation of portable power stations that are smart, intelligent, and powerful. It makes a good and top-best backup with the highest known security level.

The BLUETTI EB70 has a battery that offers it more than 2500 cycles and is built to improve battery utilization and protect it from overheating. It charges fast, takes about 4 to 5 and a half hours, and is designed for devices that go up to 700Watts.

It comes with an adapter, a charging cable, a user manual, and a warranty card, among others.

For high-budget people: 

BLUETTI AC300 power stations 

This is one of the BLUETTI new arrivals, and it’s developed in a classic design.

It features a rectangular box with two well-fitted lifting handles on top of each side.

The AC300’s modular design enables you to pick the B300 battery module and equip your power station in it.

The AC300 module can accommodate up to four battery packs for a whopping total of 12.3kWH capacity. 

BLUETTI AC200p 2000wh/2000w portable power station

The ac 200 max is an incredible portable power station that allows up to 900W solar input of charge.

You can also charge it through the solar panels and wall outlet simultaneously, boost a stunning 1400W charging rate, and top up your power station in less than 2 hours.

This power station has 16 outlets, which can help you operate all your needs simultaneously and conveniently without breaking any sweat.

Frequent Asked Questions

Q1: Can a battery-powered generator run a house?

A battery-powered generator will run essential operations inside the house only for a limited number of days. This is because there are limits to how a battery-powered generator can offer power to a home during an outage. Some home batteries serve the needs of a home efficiently, while others run into issues or problems due to the limited electrical output.

Q2: How many watts do I need to power my house?

To power your house efficiently, you need a generator with more wattage to run the multiple appliances in your home. You can run essential household appliances and equipment with a generator rated at 5000 to 7500 watts. Some of the appliances you can run and operate include lighting circuits, a freezer, a pump, and a refrigerator.

Q3: Is it safe to use a power station indoors?

Portable power stations do not produce any fuel or carbon monoxide; thus, you can safely use them indoors. They are not noisy, require little to no maintenance, and can be recharged using solar panels.

Conclusion

There are various types of generators available in the market. It's vital to ensure that you select a generator that will suit and meet your needs adequately. It's crucial to choose the best generator for home power outages, power your business during a blackout and serve your purposes during outdoor trips or activities. Most of the generators designed are user-friendly, easy to operate, and will power the various electrical appliances in your home.