How long Base powers your home
Estimate how many hours your home battery can power your house during an outage.
Calculate your outage protection time
Enter a few details about your home and battery to see how long you'd stay powered in an outage.
How long different home backup systems last
Portable generators
Portable generators can power basic appliances like a fridge, freezer, or a few lights — but not the entire home. Their runtime depends on the fuel tank and load, typically lasting 6–12 hours per refill. They're good for short outages, but require manual setup, fuel storage, and regular maintenance.
Standby generators
Standby systems run on natural gas or propane and can power the whole home automatically. They can run indefinitely as long as fuel is available, but come with high installation costs ($12,000–$20,000) and ongoing maintenance. They're best for homes that lose power frequently and for long periods.
Whole-home batteries
Battery backups power your home silently and instantly during an outage. Runtime depends on system size and usage: a 39.2 kWh battery gives ~12–36 hours of backup, a 78.4 kWh battery ~24–72 hours. Unlike generators, they need no fuel or maintenance. Paired with solar, backup time can extend even longer.
Hybrid setups
Some homes combine battery, solar, and a generator for maximum resilience. In these systems, the generator or solar panels recharge the battery during long outages, allowing power to cycle continuously.
How to choose the best home backup system
- 1
Compare your backup options
Portable units, standby generators, and batteries all work differently. Generators need fuel and maintenance. Base gives you quiet, automatic backup without the hassle.
- 2
Factor in long-term costs
Ask about maintenance schedules, warranty coverage, and repair fees. Standby generators often require regular servicing and fuel; batteries like Base run quietly and need almost no upkeep, with all maintenance covered under one simple membership.
- 3
Choose a system that fits your lifestyle
Think about what you want powered during an outage: a few essentials or your whole home. Whole-home batteries provide instant, quiet backup without refueling or manual setup.
Learn more about Base, home backup, and power outage preparedness
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See how Base installation works
Have questions about backup, sizing, or installation? Talk to a Base Energy Advisor and get a plan built for your home.