When the power goes out, a portable power station has a limited energy supply, so what you plug in first matters more than what you own. This guide gives a priority order, a way to build a wattage budget, and the tradeoffs involved. For the wider picture, see Power Outages & Off-Grid Power: The Problem Solved.
The Short Answer: A Priority Order
- Medical and safety needs. Powered medical devices, medication refrigeration, and anything a clinician has told you must not lose power.
- Communication. Phones, a battery radio charger, and a router and modem if internet matters.
- Food safety. The refrigerator, run in short cycles rather than continuously.
- Light. LED lamps use very little power.
- Heating or cooling fans and blowers. Only low-draw items.
- Comfort and convenience. TVs, laptops, game consoles.
Heavy heating and cooling appliances, such as space heaters, central air, and electric water heaters, usually come last or not at all on a portable power station.
Understand Watts vs. Watt-Hours
- Watts (W) is how much power a device draws at a moment. Your power station's rated AC output must exceed the combined watts of everything running at once.
- Watt-hours (Wh) is how much energy the battery stores. Runtime is roughly Wh ÷ watts, reduced by inverter losses. A common planning assumption is to keep 15–25% in reserve, but efficiency varies by model and load.
Some devices, especially motors and compressors, draw a surge at startup that is well above their running watts. Check both numbers on the device label or manual.
Build Your Wattage Budget
Step 1: List devices and find their draw
Read the label or manual. If only amps are listed, multiply amps by volts (usually 120 in the US). An inexpensive plug-in watt meter can measure real draw.
Step 2: Estimate hours of use
Be realistic. A refrigerator compressor does not run constantly, so the useful number is its actual daily energy use, not its peak.
Step 3: Multiply and total
Watts × hours = Wh per device. Add them up, then compare with your battery capacity minus a reserve.
Example budget (illustrative figures only)
These are typical ranges, not measurements of your devices. Verify your own.
| Item | Typical running draw | Example hours | Approx. Wh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phone charging | 5–20 W | 3 | 15–60 |
| Router + modem | 10–30 W combined | 12 | 120–360 |
| LED lights (a few) | 20–40 W | 6 | 120–240 |
| Laptop | 30–70 W | 4 | 120–280 |
| Modern refrigerator | Varies; startup surge is higher | Check label or meter | Often on the order of 1,000+ Wh/day |
If the total exceeds your capacity, cut from the bottom of the priority list first.
Recommended for youHow to Build a Home Emergency Power Plan: Step-by-Step Backup SetupTier-by-Tier Notes
Medical devices
This tier needs the most care. Power needs vary by device and settings, and a power station is not guaranteed to be suitable for life-sustaining equipment. Talk to your clinician and the device maker about backup plans, and contact your utility about medical priority programs. Start with How to Keep Medical Devices Running in a Power Outage, and see Can a Jackery run an oxygen concentrator? for specifics. For simple, quiet options, see Best Jackery for Seniors and Medical Backup.
Communication
Phones and a router are cheap in energy terms and high in value. Note that your internet service may itself be down if local equipment loses power. See How to Stay Online in a Blackout.
Refrigerator and food
A closed refrigerator stays cold for a limited time, and food safety agencies such as the USDA give guidance on how long (about four hours for a refrigerator is the commonly cited figure). Running the fridge for periods rather than all day can stretch your battery, but confirm the surge rating of your model first. Use a thermometer, and discard food that has been too warm for too long.
Heating, cooling, and water
- Gas furnace blower: usually a modest draw, but it varies. See Can a Jackery run a gas furnace?
- Space heaters: commonly around 1,500 W, which drains a battery quickly. See Can a Jackery run a space heater?
- Window AC: startup surge is the issue. See Can a Jackery run a window air conditioner?
- Well pump: often 240 V with a high surge. See Can a Jackery run a well pump?
Never run fuel-burning generators or grills indoors or in garages because of carbon monoxide risk. Use a battery-powered CO alarm.
Practical Tradeoffs
- Bigger battery vs. portability. More capacity means more weight and cost.
- Recharging. Solar or car charging can extend runtime but depends on weather and equipment. You can often use a unit while it charges; see Can you use a Jackery while it is charging?
- Dedicated circuits vs. extension cords. Powering a whole house is a different project and may require a licensed electrician. A portable station typically runs a few chosen devices.
Choosing a Unit
Once you have your total watts (peak) and watt-hours (daily), compare models on rated output, surge rating, capacity, and recharge options. Specs and availability change, so confirm current details on the official Jackery site. For the full planning process, read How to Build a Home Emergency Power Plan.
Quick Checklist
- List essentials and their watts.
- Add surge needs for motors and compressors.
- Total your Wh and keep a reserve.
- Charge the unit fully before storm season and check it periodically.
- Ask a professional about medical and electrical questions.
Keep reading
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