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Backup Power During an Outage

GridReady Guide editorial team · Updated September 2026

Start by identifying essential loads and how long they need to run. Backup-power choices differ dramatically in capacity, fuel dependence, noise and operating constraints.

Match the tool to the load

Small battery systems may cover phones, lights and selected electronics. Larger loads require substantially more capacity and careful planning.

Safety comes first

Combustion generators introduce carbon-monoxide and electrical hazards and require safe outdoor operation.

Keep reading: generator vs power station

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Short answer: A resilient household outage plan protects people first, then water, food safety, information and only the electrical loads that are genuinely essential. Backup power is one layer of the plan, not the plan itself.

Generator locationCDC says portable generators should be outdoors at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents.

RefrigeratorUSDA says an unopened refrigerator keeps food cold for about 4 hours.

Full freezerAbout 48 hours if kept closed; about 24 hours when half full.

Match the power source to the consequence

For phones, radios and LED lights, small USB power banks may provide excellent resilience per dollar and per kilogram. Refrigeration, pumps and medical equipment require more careful load and runtime calculations. Heating and conventional electric cooking are often demanding loads and may be poor uses of limited battery capacity.

Three layers work better than one

Device batteries: keep critical devices charged.
Portable stored energy: power banks or power stations for selected loads.
Replenishment: grid charging when restored, solar where practical, or a safely operated fuel generator for appropriate loads.

Do not connect a portable generator to household wiring through an improvised outlet connection. Where a generator is intended to feed home circuits, use code-compliant transfer equipment installed for that purpose.