I'm trying to get away from using fossil fuels, so rather than having a gas guzzling generator (they're more sophisticated today so you don't necessarily have to go outside to get them started), when I had solar panels installed, I invested in battery backup. I live out in the country and power outages are fairly frequent. Last winter one lasted for 4 days. When the power goes out, the only way I can tell is that the clock on my electric range goes out. Major heating appliances don't run on the batteries, like the water heater, electric range and the heat pump which heats my home. But with a wood stove and frugal use of lighting, etc., we got by nicely. I was pleased that my home's insulation must be pretty good because it didn't get below 60 degrees- with heavy socks and sweaters, we were fine until the power came back on. It's a fun challenge to cook with the microwave and on the top of the woodstove and make toast and boy scout stew on the coals, too.
I'm trying to get away from using fossil fuels, so rather than having a gas guzzling generator (they're more sophisticated today so you don't necessarily have to go outside to get them started), when I had solar panels installed, I invested in battery backup. I live out in the country and power outages are fairly frequent. Last winter one lasted for 4 days. When the power goes out, the only way I can tell is that the clock on my electric range goes out. Major heating appliances don't run on the batteries, like the water heater, electric range and the heat pump which heats my home. But with a wood stove and frugal use of lighting, etc., we got by nicely. I was pleased that my home's insulation must be pretty good because it didn't get below 60 degrees- with heavy socks and sweaters, we were fine until the power came back on. It's a fun challenge to cook with the microwave and on the top of the woodstove and make toast and boy scout stew on the coals, too.