Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Certain heat-producing and large appliances can quickly drain your power station.
- Battery capacity is a limited resource during outages, so prioritization is key.
- This list is a recommendation; it doesn’t mean you can’t run these devices on power stations.
We often hear about multiple power stations being able to run your central HVAC system or keep your major appliances running during an outage, but just because you can doesn’t mean you always should.
Also: Four months with my first home battery taught me what whole home backup really means
Many power stations certainly have enough wattage to start a device, but that doesn’t mean it’s the most sensible way to run it. There are several appliances that I don’t recommend keeping connected to a power station, including electric water heaters, space heaters, and furnaces, as well as some that you might not expect to make the list.
Devices not to run on a power station
There are some devices that I don’t recommend running continuously on a power station, but that doesn’t mean you can’t. My suggestions are more about what I wouldn’t do, not what you would can’t to do. This is not a compatibility issue – it’s more of a recommendation.
Also: I can’t find a 65W power bank with 15W magnetic wireless charging – and I finally know why
Modern large power stations are designed and built to handle dryers, heat pumps and even EV chargers. However, using the following devices at a power station can burn through your stored energy so quickly that it can defeat the purpose of backup power.
- Central HVAC: A central air conditioner can draw between 3,000 and 5,500W, resulting in a huge sustained energy load that quickly drains your power station.
- Heat producing devices: The problem with heat-producing devices is that they require a lot of energy to convert them into heat. The heating element (or, in the case of large appliances like ovens, multiple heating elements) quickly consumes power, which can drain your backup battery very quickly. Here is a list of these heat-producing devices that I do not recommend running on a power station:
- Electric clothes dryer
- Electric water heater (tankless or not)
- Hot tub or pool heater
- Electric oven
- Room heating
- Electric fireplace
- Heat pump
FAQ
What are some devices you should run on a power station?
I recommend keeping certain devices connected to a power station at all times to avoid power outages. This includes a modem and router to avoid internet interruptions (especially if you work from home), your refrigerator, and even your security cameras and systems.
Also: So long, Eufy and Soundcore: Anker rebrands, launches 19 products at IFA
How do I use a portable battery or power station during an outage?
If you have a backup system for power outages, priority is key. Make an emergency plan with a list of the essential devices that you want or need to run in the event of an outage so that you can plan your energy consumption.
This list may include a refrigerator to keep food from spoiling, a modem to maintain an Internet connection, fans to stay cool in hot months, and lamps to keep some lights on as needed. It may also include medical devices such as CPAP machines.
Also: Universal adapter vs travel charger: Confused? Here is the device you need the most
Planning how and when you use these devices, and monitoring your real-time energy consumption, are important. If you have a smart system, you can use the manufacturer’s app to see how long your battery can power several devices or how much energy is left.
Why should you not use heat-producing devices with power stations?
While you can use heat-producing devices with large power stations with compatible wattage, these devices can quickly consume all your backup power. I would keep the use of heat-producing devices connected to a power station on a necessary basis, especially if you use them as a backup power source.
As an example, a space heater using 1,500W can use up the entire battery on a 2,000W in 80 minutes or less, which is less than ideal during an hours-long power outage.
Also: This $50 power bank is safer than my lithium-ion battery—and it’s coming on my next flight
A refrigerator, in contrast, consumes a lot of starting power, but the compressor does not continuously draw the unit’s rated maximum power. The compressors in refrigerators cycle to maintain a set temperature, unlike a space heater that stays on at all times.
See full bio