The Power Went Out. Now What? A Practical Guide to Backup Power for Your Home or Business After a long power outage, the natural reaction is: “I need a generator.” Maybe you do. But before spending thousands—or potentially tens of thousands—of dollars, start with a different question: What problem are you actually trying to solve? The goal isn't necessarily to own a generator. The goal is to have a plan for when the power goes out. Start With the Problem How often does your power actually go out? How long does it stay off? And most importantly, what happens to you when it does? There's a big difference between losing power for a few hours every couple of years and experiencing a multi-day outage. What really needs to keep running? Maybe it's just refrigerators, a freezer, some lights and your internet. Maybe you have a well, medical equipment, security systems or other equipment that absolutely needs power. For a business, the calculation changes even more. An outage can mean employees who can't work, lost production, spoiled inventory, interrupted computer systems or lost customers. Before talking about generators, batteries or kilowatts, understand what an outage actually costs you. How Much Work Are You Willing to Do? This is the next question people sometimes overlook. At one end of the spectrum is a portable generator safely operated outside with properly rated extension cords supplying a few individual loads. It's relatively inexpensive, but every time the power goes out, somebody has to get the generator out, fuel it, start it and run the cords. Another option is a portable generator connected through properly designed transfer equipment. That can eliminate cords running throughout the house, but somebody still has to set up and operate the generator. At the other end is a permanently installed standby generator with an automatic transfer switch. Utility power goes out, the generator starts and the system automatically transfers the appropriate loads. That's incredibly convenient. It's also considerably more expensive. There isn't a right or wrong answer. You're not just buying backup power. You're buying a level of convenience. I'm an electrician. I'm comfortable operating a manual backup system. But what happens if I'm not home? Do I want my wife or kids setting everything up? For me, that changes the equation. Think about who will actually be using the system—not just who is buying it. What Actually Needs Power? Once you know how much convenience you want, figure out what really needs to stay on. You may not need to back up your entire house or business. Maybe during an outage you're perfectly willing to live without the air conditioner, electric oven or other large loads as long as the refrigerator, water, lights and internet work. Reducing the amount of equipment you need to operate can dramatically change the size and cost of the backup system. This is where a qualified electrical contractor can help determine your actual loads rather than simply guessing at a generator size. Don't Forget About Fuel and Maintenance If you're considering a generator, remember: A generator is an engine. It needs fuel. It needs maintenance. And it needs to be ready when the outage actually happens. Gasoline, propane, natural gas and diesel all have different considerations. Permanently installed systems can also require additional work involving fuel supply, gas piping, electrical equipment, transfer equipment, permits and location. A generator sitting outside without adequate fuel—or one that hasn't been maintained—isn't much of a backup plan. What About Batteries? This is where the conversation gets more interesting. A Battery Energy Storage System, or BESS, can potentially provide backup power without an engine, fuel or the same type of generator maintenance. And unlike a generator that primarily sits waiting for an outage, a properly designed battery system may also be able to provide value during normal utility operation by storing energy when it makes sense and using that energy later. Batteries have limitations too. They only store so much energy. The more equipment you're running, the faster that stored energy is used. A long outage presents a very different challenge than a short one. That means the question isn't simply: “Generator or battery?” It's still: “What problem am I trying to solve?” We're going to cover solar versus battery storage—and whether you even need solar to benefit from a battery—in a separate guide because that deserves its own discussion. Before You Buy Anything Before spending thousands of dollars on backup power, consider having a qualified electrical contractor look at the system you already have. Understand your loads. Understand the condition of your electrical equipment. Look at surge protection and other appropriate electrical-system maintenance. Understand what would actually be involved in adding a generator or battery. We've covered surge protection separately, so we won't dive into it here. The point is simply that backup power should be part of an overall electrical plan—not an isolated purchase made because the power went out last weekend. And if you don't already have an electrical contractor you trust, this is a good opportunity to establish that relationship. A good electrical partner should be willing to help determine what makes sense—even if the answer is: “You don't need a generator.” The Bottom Line Before buying backup power, answer three questions: 1. What problem am I trying to solve? 2. What absolutely needs to keep running? 3. How much inconvenience am I willing to deal with when the power goes out? Then start looking at equipment. Maybe the answer is a small portable generator. Maybe it's a manual system. Maybe it's a fully automatic standby generator. Maybe it's a battery. Maybe it's a combination. And maybe your power goes out so infrequently that the smartest financial decision is to do nothing at all. The goal isn't to buy a generator. The goal is to have a plan. This guide is intended as general educational information, not site-specific electrical, engineering, fuel-gas or code advice. Generator connections to building wiring require properly designed transfer equipment. Portable generators must be operated according to manufacturer safety requirements, including requirements concerning outdoor operation and carbon-monoxide hazards. Consult qualified professionals regarding your specific property and system.
