Welcome to PowerPrepGuide. If you’re here because you’re dealing with an outage right now—or you’re preparing before the next one—this page will point you to the most useful resources on the site without making you dig.
Choose your situation
If the power is out right now
- Start with safety: avoid candles near curtains, keep refrigerators closed as much as possible, and never run fuel-powered equipment indoors.
- Decide what matters most: refrigeration, heating or cooling, medical devices, communication, and lighting are usually the top priorities.
- Pick the right tool for the job: battery power is quiet and indoor-safe, while fuel generators handle larger loads and longer outages.
If your home is without power but nearby homes are still working, reviewing what it means when neighbors have power but your home does not can help you determine whether the issue is localized.
If you’re preparing for the next outage
- Build a simple plan around your critical devices—what must stay powered, for how long, and how you’ll recharge or refuel.
- Match your backup power setup to your home and outage patterns, whether you experience brief interruptions or multi-day events.
- Practice once when the weather is calm so you’re not learning during a storm.
Backup power solutions: the big picture
Most homeowners do best with a layered approach—using battery power for quiet, indoor-safe essentials and fuel-based options for heavier loads or extended outages. Understanding how these systems work together makes planning simpler and safer.
For a structured overview of the major backup power choices and how they fit together, start with the main hub below:
How to use PowerPrepGuide efficiently
PowerPrepGuide articles are designed to help you make decisions quickly, troubleshoot safely, and avoid common mistakes. A practical way to use the site is to begin with a broad overview, then move to the specific guide that matches your equipment or symptoms.
Two fast paths many homeowners take
- Battery-based path: learn realistic runtime expectations, charging limits, and how to avoid shutdowns under load.
- Generator path: understand safe placement, basic sizing, runtime limits, and how to diagnose common startup or power issues.
If you want a broader foundation before diving into equipment-specific guides, the Home Power Basics page provides a helpful starting point.
Find any topic fast
If you know what you’re looking for—or you simply want to browse what’s available—the HTML sitemap lists the site’s pages and articles in one place:
Quick safety reminders (worth reading)
- Never run a fuel generator indoors or in garages, even with the door open.
- Keep generators well away from doors, windows, and vents and direct exhaust away from the home.
- Avoid backfeeding by never connecting a generator to a home outlet without approved equipment and professional guidance.
- Don’t overload battery power stations; manage loads carefully and use DC outputs when practical.
What’s next
PowerPrepGuide is growing into a large, evergreen library of homeowner-focused guides. If you want the fastest results, begin with the Backup Power Solutions hub, then move into the troubleshooting article that best matches your situation.
You’ve got this. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s having a plan that works when you need it.