Backups for Home Power Supplies

Short Term for Computers

• If you experience only short power outages or are not concerned about longer outages, an UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) might be for you. They provide 15 minutes to two hours of energy so you can back up your computer, save your files and properly shut down your computer. You also can use the backup power to finish off a project on which you were working. Some UPS devices automatically save your files and shut down your computer in the event of a power failure. The batteries in UPS devices are charged by your regular electrical current.

Small to Medium Inverters

• If you want to use appliances and lights during an outage, and don't expect outages to last more than five to 10 hours, consider a small inverter. They use small to medium-size batteries with an inverter that converts the battery power to a household current. The bigger the system, the more appliances you can run, and the longer the power lasts. Some systems allow you to attach battery banks, which means you have battery power longer. Some also can be hooked up to cars. Medium-size inverters provide about 1,800 watts.

Generator Power

• If you experience frequent outages, or live in an area where a power outage takes a long time to repair, then a system with a generator is a good idea. Inverters that can provide 2,500 to 4,000 watts gives you power for a variety of electrical items. Consider using a battery bank that's recharged by the generator. You save fuel for the generator and be able to draw power from the batteries for several hours at a time.

Standby Generator

• Standby generators generally come in eight to 10 kilowatt systems. They use natural gas or propane for fuel, and automatically kick on when the power goes out. This can be a big advantage in the winter and your power goes out in the middle of the night, unknown to you. Instead of waking up to a frigid morning and perhaps frozen pipes, your standby generator will have kicked in and kept the heat and electricity running.