Before you shop for a battery or a generator, decide what actually needs to stay on. Planning backup power El Dorado County homes can count on starts with a clear list of critical loads, not a sales brochure. This checklist walks foothill homeowners through the priorities that matter most during a PSPS outage or winter storm.
At a Glance
- Tier 1 Must-Have: well pump, refrigerator and freezer, medical devices, and heating controls.
- Tier 2 Important: internet equipment, essential lighting, and phone charging.
- Tier 3 Convenience: garage door opener and other quality-of-life items.
Safety First Before You Power Anything
A backup plan only works if it is safe. Review these basics before you use any generator or battery system at home.
- Never plug a generator into a wall outlet. Use a transfer switch or interlock installed by a licensed electrician.
- Run portable generators outdoors, at least 20 feet from windows, doors, and vents. Install CO detectors inside the home.
- If someone in the home relies on powered medical equipment, have a backup plan beyond your home system, including a place to go if the outage runs long.
PG&E offers a Medical Baseline program with extra notifications for customers who depend on power for health needs. It is worth reviewing if this applies to your household.
Tier 1: Must-Have Loads
These are the loads that protect health, safety, and basic livability. If your backup system can only cover a few things, cover these first.
Well Pump
- Why it matters: no power means no water for drinking, cooking, flushing toilets, or fighting a small fire at home.
- Power tip: well pumps have a large starting surge, so size your battery or generator to handle that spike, not just the running watts.
A well pump is often the single most important load to keep running during a rural outage.
Refrigerator and Freezer
- Why it matters: a multi-day outage can spoil hundreds of dollars of food and any medications that need refrigeration.
- Power tip: modern fridges cycle on and off, so they do not need constant full power, which makes them a good fit for battery backup.
Medical Devices
- Why it matters: CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, and mobility equipment can be essential day and night.
- Power tip: list each device, its watts, and its runtime so your system covers real use, not a guess.
Heating Controls
- Why it matters: propane and gas furnaces still need electricity for the blower, ignition, and thermostat to keep the house warm.
- Power tip: identify the furnace circuit ahead of time so it can be tied into your transfer switch or battery-backed panel.
Tier 2: Important Loads
These loads keep daily life workable during a longer outage, especially for remote workers and families with school-age kids.
Internet Equipment
- Why it matters: modems, routers, and Wi-Fi keep you connected for work, school, and PSPS updates.
- Power tip: internet gear draws very little power, so a small dedicated circuit or battery outlet can cover it easily.
Essential Lighting
- Why it matters: safe paths to the kitchen, bathroom, and exits matter more than lighting the whole house.
- Power tip: LED bulbs use a fraction of the wattage of older bulbs, which stretches your backup runtime.
Phone Charging
- Why it matters: phones connect you to PG&E alerts, family, and emergency services during an outage.
- Power tip: a single outlet on a battery or generator can charge several devices at once with a small power strip.
Tier 3: Convenience Loads
These are nice to have, but you can live without them for a day or two. Cover them only after your Tier 1 and Tier 2 needs are handled.
Garage Door Opener
- Why it matters: getting cars in and out is convenient, but not urgent during most outages.
- Power tip: learn to use the manual release cord on your opener so you are never stuck, even without backup power.
Build Your Critical-Loads Worksheet
A short worksheet helps you and your electrician size a system that fits your home. Check the label on each appliance for exact wattage, since the numbers below are typical ranges only.
Walk each room and note which circuits and devices you truly need during an outage.
- Well pump (1/2 to 1 HP): typical running 750 to 1,500 W, starting 2,000 to 4,000 W, Tier 1.
- Refrigerator or freezer: typical running 100 to 250 W, starting 600 to 1,200 W, Tier 1.
- Gas or propane furnace blower: typical running 400 to 800 W, starting 1,000 to 2,000 W, Tier 1.
- CPAP or small medical device: typical running 30 to 100 W, starting similar, Tier 1.
- Modem, router, and Wi-Fi: typical running 20 to 60 W, Tier 2.
- LED lighting (several rooms): typical running 60 to 200 W, Tier 2.
- Phone and laptop charging: typical running 20 to 100 W, Tier 2.
- Garage door opener: typical running 500 to 750 W, starting 1,000 to 1,400 W, Tier 3.
How Your List Points to a Battery or a Generator
Once your critical-loads list is in hand, the choice between a home battery, a whole home generator, or a mix of both becomes much clearer. Here is a neutral comparison to help frame the conversation.
- Well pump surge: generators typically handle large motor starts more easily, while batteries need to be sized carefully for the surge.
- Multi-day runtime: generators can run as long as fuel is available, while batteries depend on capacity and any solar recharging.
- Noise: batteries run silently, while generators produce noise that varies by model and enclosure.
- Fuel and recharging: generators need propane, natural gas, or diesel on hand, while batteries recharge from the grid or from solar.
- Maintenance: generators need periodic service and test runs, while batteries need less routine attention over time.
- Typical fit: batteries often fit homes with modest loads and solar, while generators often fit rural homes with well pumps and longer PSPS events. A combined system can cover both.
Our team can walk your home and help you compare options, including whole home generator installation and home battery backup systems. Safe integration usually starts with the right transfer switch and electrical work so your backup source powers only the circuits you choose.
FAQ
Can a home battery run my well pump?
It can, but only if the battery and inverter are sized for the pump's starting surge, not just its running watts. Many foothill homes pair a battery with a generator so the generator handles the well pump and the battery handles quieter daily loads. A load calculation is the best way to know for sure.
How long can a PSPS outage last?
PG&E designs Public Safety Power Shutoffs to reduce wildfire risk during high-risk weather, and events can last from several hours to multiple days depending on conditions. You can check the current outlook on the PG&E PSPS page and general preparedness tips on Ready.gov. Plan your backup system for at least a multi-day event.
Do I need a permit to install a generator?
In most California jurisdictions, permanent standby generators and the related electrical work require permits and inspections. Requirements vary by county and city, so a licensed local contractor should confirm what applies to your address. That is part of any professional installation quote.
