Home Backup Power: Generators, Batteries and What They Cost

When the grid goes down, backup power keeps your heat or air conditioning running, your food cold, your sump pump working and medical equipment powered. This hub brings together our guides to whole-house standby generators, portable generators, battery systems and solar generators, with honest cost ranges and sizing help.

The main backup power options

• Whole-house standby generators run on natural gas or propane and switch on automatically within seconds. Installed costs commonly fall in an estimated $9,000 to $25,000 range depending on size and site work.
• Portable generators cost far less and can run essentials through a transfer switch or interlock, but need refueling and careful placement to avoid carbon monoxide.
• Home battery backup stores power silently, pairs well with solar and needs little maintenance, but runtime is limited by capacity.
• Hybrid setups combine a battery for short outages with a generator for long ones.

How to size backup power

Start by listing what must run during an outage: furnace or heat pump, refrigerator, well pump, sump pump, lights, medical devices and internet. Add their running watts, then allow for the higher starting watts of motors. A licensed electrician can do a proper load calculation, which is the only reliable way to size a standby system. For a quick first estimate, try our generator size calculator.

Ready to price it out? Get free backup power quotes from local installers.

Latest backup power guides

• 
  How Long Do Whole House Generators Last? Lifespan, Service Intervals and Replacement Signs
  How long do whole house generators last? Typical lifespan in years and hours, a maintenance schedule, and how to decide between repairing and replacing.
• 
  How Much Does It Cost to Run a Whole House Generator? Fuel Use and Runtime
  How much does a generator cost to run? See natural gas and propane fuel use at 50% and full load, outage cost examples and tips to cut consumption.
• 
  Do You Need a Permit to Install a Home Generator? Permits, Codes and Inspections
  Do you need a permit to install a generator? Learn about electrical, gas and zoning permits, clearance rules, inspections and HOA approvals before you buy.
• 
  Generator Transfer Switch Explained: Manual vs Automatic and What It Costs
  A generator transfer switch keeps backfeed from endangering utility crews and your gear. Compare manual, automatic, interlock and smart panel options and costs.
• 
  Whole House Surge Protector: Is It Worth It, and How Much Does It Cost?
  Whole house surge protector explained: how it works, Type 1 vs Type 2, typical installed costs, and how to pair it with a generator or battery system.
• 
  Solar Plus Battery Backup: What It Costs and Whether It Keeps Your Lights On
  Solar battery backup cost explained: why grid-tied solar shuts off in outages, how to size batteries for essential loads, and typical price ranges.
• 
  Portable vs Standby Generator: Which Backup Power Option Fits Your Home?
  Portable vs standby generator: compare cost, convenience, carbon monoxide safety, run time and home value to pick the right backup power for your home.
• 
  Sump Pump Battery Backup: Protect Your Basement During Storms and Outages
  Compare battery vs water-powered sump pump backups, learn how to size one, what it costs, and how it pairs with a generator or whole-home battery.
• 
  Natural Gas vs Propane Standby Generator: Cost, Runtime and Reliability
  Natural gas vs propane generator: compare fuel supply, tank sizing, runtime, efficiency, install costs and what happens when an outage hits gas service.
• 
  How to Choose a Generator Installer: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Hire
  Learn how to choose a generator installer: licensing, manufacturer certification, insurance, permits, load calculations, warranties and red flags to avoid.
• 
  Power Outage Preparedness Checklist for Homeowners
  A practical power outage preparedness checklist for homeowners: food, water, medical needs, lighting, fuel, CO safety and when to add permanent backup power.
• 
  Generator vs Battery Backup (Powerwall): Which Is Right for Your Home?
  Generator vs Powerwall: compare cost, runtime, fuel, maintenance, noise and outage length, plus hybrid setups and a simple decision framework.

Browse every backup power article, and see our storm prep guides for the rest of your outage plan.