Home Backup Power (Portable Option)

Last February, our home lost power for five days during a winter storm. Never in my life have I been so cold. The only defense my family had was to cover up in layers of clothes, blankets, and other bedding. Even the cat and the dog needed help. It reached 7F on the night we lost power. Before that, I would estimate that every 18 months, my home has lost electricity for a day or more due to bad luck, I guess. We lost power for well over a week during the aftermath of hurricane Ike. The largest immediate cost to long power loss is all the food in the refrigerator and freezer is ruined. That can cost several hundred dollars.

Like many others, we investigated a whole home backup generator for the house. At the cost of $15k to $25k, it was hard to stomach. Many who ordered backup generators are still waiting for installation. My biggest issue with a whole home backup generator was that it became an asset attached to the house. An asset we would likely not get full value from once we sell the house. Instead, we investigated a solution based on a portable generator. Indeed, a few generators are suitable for home backup to varying degrees, all of which can be taken with you when you sell the house. Depending on your future plans, using portable generators can be very appealing.

Suppose you plan to downsize when you move. In that case, portable generators become more attractive. In the next house, the generator is going to be better sized to the house. Alternatively, if an RV is in your future, a generator is essential for RV life…