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Power outage and backup power guides
Plain-language guides for getting through an outage and choosing backup power that fits your home. Each one links to the sources it relies on.
During an outage
What to do while the power is off, in the order it matters.
Power outage checklist: the first hour
Confirm the cause, protect food and electronics, and set up safely. Written for a phone screen and a flashlight.
OutageFood safety during a power outage
The 4-hour and 48-hour rules, what can be refrozen, and when backup power is worth it.
WinterKeeping the furnace running in a cold-weather outage
What a gas furnace draws, how to power it safely, and how to protect pipes.
Safety
The setup mistakes that cause injuries, and how to avoid them.
Choosing equipment
How to match a power station, generator or solar panel to the job.
Power station or generator: which fits your home?
Noise, fuel, indoor use and running time, compared side by side.
BuyingHow to size a portable power station
The four numbers to write down before you shop, with a worked example.
SolarWhat portable solar panels can do in winter
Realistic output on short winter days, and how to set panels up in snow and cold.
Understanding the numbers
The units and measurements behind every calculator on the site.