2026-08-21T15:29:00
(BPT) – Outages aren’t a matter of if, but when. If you live in an area where summer storms and heat waves can take out local power, it’s time to consider how to power your home no matter how long the grid goes dark.
What’s the easiest solution? According to Beau, a former licensed electrician and now an in-house product expert at Jackery, the answer is simple: buy a home backup system.
Throughout his career, Beau has answered many of the same questions from homeowners considering purchasing a home backup battery. Below are his answers to some of the most common ones.
Q: Do I really need a home backup?
If you’ve considered buying a home backup system but have been putting it off, consider what you’ll have to deal with if the power goes out tomorrow.
Without an independent power source, you risk going without food, air conditioning, communication and other essentials. Because blackouts can last hours, days or even weeks, now is the best time to buy home backup before the alert hits your phone.
Q: Is home backup worth the cost?
Yes. A home battery is a small investment with a fast payback. In fact, a home backup battery can pay for itself the first time it protects food. During a multiday outage, you can lose hundreds of dollars’ worth of groceries when the fridge stops running and have to spend hundreds more to replace what you lost.
Q: How long can a home backup run my home?
I field this one question more than any other, and I always answer the same way: It depends on your household. Home backup systems come in different sizes and capacities. How long one can run will depend on what you need to keep powered during an outage.
For example, families with young kids will need to prioritize keeping the refrigerator running and having a way to cook food. Pet owners may prioritize keeping their home cool during a heat wave, while remote workers may focus on keeping laptops, monitors, routers and phones powered.
Q: How do I know what size home backup I need?
The right home backup system is the one sized around your actual priorities. Now that you know what you couldn’t live without during a blackout, match those needs to the right portable power stations, solar generators or home backup battery.
If you only need to run a few plugged-in essentials, a smaller home battery backup may be enough. However, if you want to keep a refrigerator, internet equipment and family basics running longer, step up in capacity. If you want circuit-level or whole-home coverage, plan for a larger system and a transfer switch.
Q: I need to stay connected no matter what. What should I look for in a power station?
For remote workers or homeowners focused on connectivity, I’d suggest the HomePower 1000 v2. This power station offers 1500W output, enough power to keep a laptop running for 57 hours, and features sub-10 ms switchover and built-in 3 kV of surge protection for modems, routers and computers. And thanks to Jackery Priority Routing, you can rest easy knowing that you can preserve your networking gear’s capacity during long outages.
Q: During a long blackout, I want to make sure I have enough power to keep my whole family comfortable. Do I need to get a large-capacity power station right away?
For families who want a power station that grows with their needs, I’d recommend the HomePower 2000 Plus v2. The power station starts at a 2048Wh baseline capacity, enough to power a refrigerator for up to 48 hours, and expands to 12kWh with additional batteries.
Like the HomePower 1000 v2, it features Jackery Priority Routing, which automatically protects critical devices as the battery drains. When you need more power, hook up the station to portable solar panels, where it can fully recharge in about three hours.
Q: Can I power my whole home at once?
One hundred percent full, whole-home coverage with no compromise is very costly. But you don’t need everything in the event of an outage, and you certainly don’t want to overpay for backup. For backup that covers multiple rooms simultaneously, you’ll want to look at systems that connect to your home circuits via a transfer switch. Jackery’s bestseller, the HomePower 3600 Plus, is a great option for households that want to be prepared for longer outages. It delivers 3600W output and 3584Wh capacity, expandable up to 21kWh, which allows you to keep large home appliances like a refrigerator powered for up to 14 days.
This home backup solution connects to home circuits through a Manual Transfer Switch, offers sub-10ms UPS switching, runs at about 30dB (as quiet as a library), provides six recharge methods and is built to last on a 6000-cycle battery rated for 16-plus years. The HomePower 3600 Plus is also a great option for RV adventures.
For larger homes with high energy needs, I’d recommend our largest and most powerful backup option, Jackery’s Solar Generator 5000 Plus. When paired with the Jackery Smart Transfer Switch (STS), you get more control and automation over up to 12 30-amp circuits. The Jackery app shows you exactly what you are using on each circuit and puts control at your fingertips. The STS also opens up many options for load management and grid arbitrage, helping lower utility bills in areas where power is more expensive and will also help keep the appliances that are most important powered for the longest amount of time. Up to two Solar Generator 5000 Plus units can pair with the Jackery STS, increasing the continuous output to 14,400W and surge up to 28,800W.
It also features eight recharge methods, high-voltage solar compatibility, full AC recharge in 1.7 hours, 0ms UPS switching, Jackery App monitoring, an 11-plus-year battery lifespan, and a five-year warranty, so you can count on it to power your home through outages in any season for years to come.
Don’t wait for a blackout to get serious about home backup
When you break it down, Beau’s plan for how households can prepare for a summer storm or heat wave is simple: buy home backup now, figure out what you couldn’t live without, and match it to the right product. To learn more and find the right home backup that fits your home needs, visit Jackery.com.
