Power outages, though less common in many places, can be incredibly inconvenient. Your smart home relies on electricity to function, so what do you do when the power goes out? Here are some solutions to keep your smart home operational during a power outage.
Invest in a Whole-Home Generator
One of the best options for ensuring your home continues to function during a power outage is to install a whole-home generator. These generators can keep everything in your home running until power is restored from the grid. They are usually powered by natural gas or propane and are a terrific long-term investment.
However, whole-home generators can be expensive, often costing $10,000 or more. If this solution is beyond your budget, there are other, more affordable ways to maintain essential functions during a short-term outage.
Maintain Internet Access
During a power outage, one of the most important things to maintain is internet access. This allows you to keep up with news and power updates without relying on cellular data networks, which can become overloaded when everyone else in your area is using them too.
To ensure internet continuity, consider using a simple battery backup system for the devices that provide your Wi-Fi. Here’s what you need:
- Modem
- Router
- Switch
- Wi-Fi access point (which may be part of your router)
Use a Battery Backup
A battery backup, such as the ones offered by APC, can provide 20-60 minutes of Wi-Fi access, as long as your internet provider’s service is still operational. For example, the APC 1500VA model can offer several hours of use even when the rest of the house has no power.
Having working Wi-Fi means that your phones, tablets, laptops, and other battery-powered internet devices will continue to function as long as the battery backup powers your internet-related equipment. It’s crucial to use a dedicated UPS just for your internet equipment; plugging anything else into this battery backup will reduce its operating time.
Additional Tips for Power Outages
- Charge Devices in Advance: When you know a storm or event might cause a power outage, ensure all your battery-powered devices are fully charged.
- Solar Chargers: Consider investing in solar chargers for your small devices. These can be invaluable during extended power outages.
- Portable Power Stations: For more extensive needs, portable power stations can be a good alternative. These can charge multiple devices and even run small appliances for a limited time.
Conclusion
Power outages don’t have to mean complete disruption, especially for your smart home. While a whole-home generator is an excellent solution, there are also more budget-friendly options like battery backups for your Wi-Fi equipment to keep essential functions running. By preparing in advance and investing in the right equipment, you can ensure that your smart home remains operational even during a power outage.
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