(BPT) - Are you thinking about adding a home backup system to your house in the form of a solar generator or portable power station? If not, it's a good idea to consider sooner rather than later.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. electricity customers averaged 11 hours of power interruptions in 2024, nearly twice the annual average of the decade before, with major events like hurricanes accounting for 80% of those hours.

Planning ahead for a power outage with a backup battery can give you real peace of mind no matter the weather.

That said, there's no one-size-fits-all option. The solar power generator that's perfect for your neighbor may not be right for your household. That's why it's crucial to know how much power you'll need to find the right fit.

Finding the right battery backup for your home may sound intimidating, but it's actually as simple as 1, 2, 3.

1. Start by making a list of the appliances and devices you cannot go without and how long you want to keep them running.

2. Using that list, find out how much each item needs at one moment (known as watts (W)) and add them together to determine how much power you'll need.

3. Match it to a battery that can store enough energy over time (watt-hours (WH)) to power your essentials.

With this basic information, you can start to narrow down backup power options. Check out this simple three-tier guide to find the essential home backup that fits your space, your routine and the devices you rely on most.

Tier 1: The apartment or condo

You're working from home, typing away in your cozy fourth-floor apartment when suddenly the lights go out. You can't see in the dark and you can't work or communicate with your team that you've lost power. On top of all that, you're not sure how long the blackout will last, which could mean hundreds of dollars in spoiled groceries.

The good news is that there are home backup options ideal for those who rent an apartment or own a condo.

A portable power station like Jackery's HomePower 1000 Plus V2 is a small yet powerful plug-and-play option that doesn't require permanent installation. With an 1800W output and 1024Wh base capacity, it can run roughly 80% of standard household appliances, keeping your router, desktop and refrigerator online during an outage. On its own, it can keep a refrigerator, freezer, Wi-Fi router, phone, computer and lights running together for about 5 hours. Adding battery packs expands the unit's capacity to 11kWh, so you can start small and grow backup power as your household's needs grow.

Another great option for apartment and condo residents is the HomePower 2000 Plus V2. This power station weighs 21 pounds less than its predecessor and delivers 2400W output and 2048Wh capacity. Right out of the box, that's enough to run a refrigerator, freezer, Wi-Fi, phone, computer and lights for about 10 hours. Add one battery pack and that doubles to about 20 hours, with room to expand all the way to 12kWh. Plus, it features Jackery Priority Routing™, which sends remaining power to your essential devices (like your router, refrigerator and lights) first. This unit is a valuable steppingstone for families who want real preparedness without a major up-front investment.

Tier 2: The suburban family home

It's a quiet Wednesday evening at home. You're working on storing leftovers in the fridge, while your 10th grader is working on a school presentation in your office and your 6th grader is looking for an outlet near the sofa to charge their phone. The next thing you know, a storm rolls in and knocks out the power.

You can easily keep the kitchen, home office and family room powered for a day or more with a higher-capacity home battery like the compact HomePower 3000. With 2072Wh capacity and 3600W output, it can keep the essentials running through extended outages for a day or two. This compact unit features Jackery's ZeroDrain™ technology, which keeps the battery at nearly full charge for up to 12 months, so you can easily tuck it away until you need it.

If you want a powerful backup battery on wheels that can easily roll from garage to living room and back, check out the HomePower 3600 Plus. With 3584Wh base capacity and 3600W output, the unit on its own can run a refrigerator, freezer, Wi-Fi, phone, computer and lights for about 18 hours. Add a battery pack for about 36 hours, or expand up to 21kWh and connect to essential home circuits with a Manual Transfer Switch to carry your household through a multiday outage, whether from a wildfire shut-off, a downed line after a storm, or an overloaded grid on an unusually cold night.

Tier 3: The rural or larger home

A winter storm has hit your rural town, knocking out the electricity and your well pump and your HVAC along with it. Now you're out of power, water and heat.

If you live in a rural or storm-prone area, it's a good idea to have a heavy-hitter that can minimize grid disruptions, like the Explorer 5000 Plus. With 7200W rated output and 14400W surge power, it can run HVAC, refrigeration and well pumps all at once. A single unit, with no expansion, can keep a refrigerator, freezer, Wi-Fi, phone, computer and lights going for about 25 hours, and modular expansion adds capacity up to a potential 60kWh. With a Smart Transfer Switch, this solar generator can automatically take over essential circuits. It can recharge in 8 ways, including high-voltage solar input. It's the ideal choice for households that plan ahead of hurricane or winter storm season and want to stay powered independent of the grid.

Find the right size for your home

The best home battery backup is not necessarily the biggest one you can buy. It's the one that protects the essentials, fits the way you live and gives you enough room to grow if your needs change. To learn more, visit Jackery.com.