https://lightsonlab.com/ Free power station, generator and solar calculators plus clear guides to keeping your home running when the power goes out. en-us https://lightsonlab.com/blog/best-portable-power-station-for-home-backup/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/best-portable-power-station-for-home-backup/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT How to choose a portable power station for home backup, from 1 kWh units for the fridge and internet to 3.6 kWh+ systems that can power circuits through a transfer switch. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/can-a-power-station-run-a-space-heater/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/can-a-power-station-run-a-space-heater/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT A 1,500 W space heater drains a 1,000 Wh power station in about 35 minutes. The math, and better ways to stay warm when the power is out. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/best-power-station-for-cpap/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/best-power-station-for-cpap/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT How to pick a power station for your CPAP machine: how many watt-hours you need, why DC power doubles runtime, and which battery sizes cover 1, 2 or 3 nights. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/can-a-power-station-run-a-window-air-conditioner/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/can-a-power-station-run-a-window-air-conditioner/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Yes, a 1,800 W+ power station can run a small window AC, but only for 1–4 hours on a 1–2 kWh battery. The math, and how to stretch runtime in a summer outage. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/can-a-power-station-run-a-sump-pump/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/can-a-power-station-run-a-sump-pump/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Yes. A 1/3 or 1/2 HP sump pump needs about 800–1,050 W running and up to 2,200 W to start. See how long a power station keeps your basement dry. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/generator-carbon-monoxide-safety/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/generator-carbon-monoxide-safety/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Portable generators cause dozens of carbon monoxide deaths every year. Learn the safe distance, where to place a generator, CO alarm tips and warning signs. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/how-long-to-charge-power-station-with-solar/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/how-long-to-charge-power-station-with-solar/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT A 1,000 Wh power station takes about 7 hours of good sun with a 200 W panel, or about 3.5 hours with 400 W. The formula, plus what slows charging down. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/how-long-will-a-power-station-run-a-refrigerator/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/how-long-will-a-power-station-run-a-refrigerator/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT A 1,000 Wh power station runs a typical fridge for about 12–20 hours. How to work it out for your fridge, and how to make the battery last longer. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/how-many-solar-panels-to-charge-a-power-station/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/how-many-solar-panels-to-charge-a-power-station/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT To replace 1 kWh of daily use you need roughly 300 W of panels in most of the U.S. Learn how to size portable solar for your power station and your location. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/how-many-watts-does-a-refrigerator-use/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/how-many-watts-does-a-refrigerator-use/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT A typical refrigerator uses 150–200 W while running, about 1,200 W to start, and 1–2 kWh per day. How to find your fridge's exact numbers and what it costs to run. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/keep-food-cold-during-power-outage/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/keep-food-cold-during-power-outage/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT A closed fridge keeps food safe for about 4 hours and a full freezer for 48. Learn how to stretch those times, power your fridge, and know what to toss afterward. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/lifepo4-vs-lithium-ion-power-station/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/lifepo4-vs-lithium-ion-power-station/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT LiFePO4 power stations last 3,000+ cycles and are more thermally stable, while NMC units are lighter. What the chemistry means if you're buying for backup power. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/power-outage-checklist/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/power-outage-checklist/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT A practical power outage checklist covering backup power, food, water, light, communication, medical needs and safety, plus what to do before, during and after. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/power-station-vs-generator/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/power-station-vs-generator/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Portable power station or gas generator? We compare cost, runtime, noise, safety and maintenance to help you choose the right backup power for your home. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/prepare-for-winter-power-outage/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/prepare-for-winter-power-outage/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Ice storms and blizzards can knock out power for days in freezing weather. How to stay warm, protect your pipes and pick backup power for winter. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/transfer-switch-for-power-station/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/transfer-switch-for-power-station/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT A transfer switch lets you safely power home circuits like the furnace, well pump and lights from a generator or power station. How they work and roughly what they cost. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/watts-vs-watt-hours/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/watts-vs-watt-hours/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Watts measure power right now; watt-hours measure energy over time. Knowing the difference makes choosing a power station, battery or generator much easier. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/what-size-generator-to-run-a-house/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/what-size-generator-to-run-a-house/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Most homes need a 5,000–7,500 W generator for essentials and 10,000 W+ for well pumps or central AC. Learn how to calculate your exact size in 4 steps. https://lightsonlab.com/blog/what-size-power-station-do-i-need/ https://lightsonlab.com/blog/what-size-power-station-do-i-need/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT Learn how to size a portable power station for a power outage, RV or camping in three steps: list your appliances, add up watt-hours, and check output and surge.