Alternative Power Sources - Introduction - A Comprehensive Guide To Staying Powered Up When it goes Dark

We often take for granted that our modern conveniences will be available every morning without interruption. Are you prepared for a long term power outage? It's a challenging scenario to envision. Essential services such as water, food, communication (including WiFi), security systems, medical devices, as well as the refrigeration of many medications, all rely on a stable power supply. If you live in a large city, additional disruptions to elevators, traffic lights, and subways can cause significant challenges. In such situations, alternative power sources become crucial for maintaining our quality of life and ensuring access to these necessities.

When considering a backup power supply for your home, options such as portable power stations/batteries, whole house battery backups, gas-powered generators, and whole house generators are some common options. Considerations with the options include the initial cost as well as recharging and refueling options. If you live in an area where the environment limits exposure to the sun, solar might not be the best option. If your access to fuel is 30 minutes away, gas and propane might not be an option. 

Note: if the power is down, gas stations won’t be able to pump gas unless they have a backup power source as well. If their power is out, make sure you have cash on hand as they won’t be able to process credit card payments without electricity.