Question 1

How do I know what size backup generator or battery power station my house needs?

Accepted Answer

Add up the continuous running watts of the appliances you want to run at the same time (such as your refrigerator, gas furnace blower fan, sump pump, Wi-Fi router, and lights), add the highest single motor starting surge among those appliances, and add 20% safety headroom. Our interactive Wattage Sizer on every ZIP page calculates both running and starting surge watts in one click.

Question 2

Why does my natural gas or propane furnace stop working during a power outage?

Accepted Answer

Even though natural gas or propane fuels the burner, a modern forced-air furnace requires 600 to 800 watts of 120V household electricity (and 1,400 to 1,800 watts of startup surge) to run its blower fan motor, draft inducer, hot-surface igniter, and circuit board.

Question 3

Should I buy a LiFePO4 portable power station or a dual-fuel gas/propane generator?

Accepted Answer

If your utility's average outage duration (SAIDI/CAIDI on your ZIP report) is under 3 to 4 hours, or you live in an apartment/condo, a 1,000Wh–2,000Wh LiFePO4 battery power station (like EcoFlow, Jackery, or Anker) is 100% indoor-safe with zero fumes. For multi-hour or multi-day severe storm blackouts, well pumps, and whole-home transfer switches, choose a 7,500W–10,500W dual-fuel portable generator.

Question 4

Where does your power outage and electric utility reliability data come from?

Accepted Answer

All outage duration (SAIDI), frequency (SAIFI), restoration time (CAIDI), and residential electricity rates come directly from official U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Form 861 annual filings and U.S. Department of Energy OpenEI utility service territory tables.

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