Outage load planner

Check the appliances you want to keep running. The planner adds up daily watt-hours, estimates peak draw, and matches a station class.

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Your essentials

Defaults are planning averages, not nameplate ratings. Adjust the watts to match your appliances.

Days without recharge

Choose appliances and estimate daily energy use
Use	Appliance	Qty	Watts	Hours/day
	RefrigeratorAverage draw; compressor cycles
	FreezerAverage draw; keep closed
	Wi-Fi routerKeep communications alive
	LED lightsA few rooms, evening use
	Phone chargingTwo phones
	LaptopWork or school
	TVOptional comfort load
	CPAPWithout humidifier
	MicrowaveShort bursts
	Well pumpRunning watts; surge is higher
	Furnace blowerGas furnace; check startup
	Space heaterVery high draw

Pick your essentials above.

The planner will total daily watt-hours and suggest a station class. It does not model startup surge; check pump and compressor ratings separately.

How to use it

Plan for the outage you will actually have

Start with the loads that keep food, heat, communications, and medical devices running. Add comfort loads only after the essentials fit.

Set the days

Two days is a reasonable baseline for a storm outage. If you cannot recharge from solar or a generator, plan for three to five days.

Use average watts

A fridge's nameplate might say 150W, but it cycles. The 75W default is a planning average. A space heater runs continuously at its rated wattage.

Check surge separately

Well pumps, furnaces, and air conditioners can draw two to three times their running wattage at startup. A station that handles the average may still trip on startup.

FAQ

Outage planning questions

How many watt-hours does a typical outage use?

An essentials-only plan (fridge, lights, router, phones) often lands around 1.5-2.5kWh per day. Adding a freezer, CPAP, or furnace blower pushes it higher.

Should I include a space heater?

Usually no. A 1,500W heater is one of the fastest ways to drain a battery. Use propane, a diesel heater, or a wood stove for heat, and reserve the battery for controls and fans.

Can I run a well pump from a portable station?

Some 240V or high-surge pumps need a split-phase station and a transfer switch. Check the pump's locked-rotor amps and consider a soft starter. A 2,400W station may not start a large deep-well pump.

How accurate is the recommendation?

It is a planning estimate. Real runtime depends on duty cycles, temperature, battery age, and inverter efficiency. Leave a 20-30% margin and test your setup before an outage.

Make it actionable

Print the outage checklist.

Keep a paper plan with your gear: charging, food safety, medical devices, communications, and shutdown steps.

Print the checklist Runtime calculator