Free power-outage priority loads checklist

Your essential loads—not a battery advertisement—should determine what you plan to power when electricity fails. Print this page and write down actual measured running watts and expected hours.

Print this checklist

Choose essentials first

• ☐ Phone charging and emergency communication — measured watts: ______ hours/day: ______
• ☐ Battery-powered lighting — measured watts: ______ hours/day: ______
• ☐ Connectivity and radio if needed — measured watts: ______ hours/day: ______
• ☐ Refrigeration, if necessary — measured operating draw/cycle: ______
• ☐ Medical or mobility equipment — manufacturer-approved setup and emergency plan: ______
• ☐ Other critical device — measured watts: ______ hours/day: ______

Budget the energy and review compatibility

Multiply operating watts × hours/day to estimate Wh/day. Battery nominal capacity is not the same as delivered energy. Inverter efficiency, idle draw, battery reserve, output rating and the starting demands of motors can matter. For a first pass, use the water and power planner or the existing home outage planner for additional assumptions.

Important limits

Never backfeed a house socket or improvise a transfer switch. Follow the generator maker and local requirements; fuel-powered generators belong outdoors, at least 20 feet from building openings to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Energy arithmetic alone cannot guarantee CPAP continuity, refrigeration safety or motor start-up compatibility.

Ready.gov power-outage safety sheet