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Backup power for apartments
You can't run a gas generator in an apartment. Here's what you can do, how big a battery you need, and how long each model lasts with your list.
By Brian Adrian · Updated October 21, 2026
In an apartment, a battery power station is the safe option: silent, no fumes, and allowed indoors. About 500 Wh keeps Wi-Fi, phones and lights going for a day; with the refrigerator, plan on 1,000–2,000 Wh.
How long each power station lasts
| Power station | Capacity | Can start it? | Lasts |
|---|
Runtime = 85% of rated capacity (inverter losses) ÷ average watts. "Can start it" checks continuous output and surge rating against your choice. Specs from manufacturers; tap a model to check its price.
What works in an apartment (and what doesn't)
- Battery power station. Plug your essentials straight into it. Many can stay plugged into the wall and switch over automatically when the power cuts.
- Portable solar panels on a balcony or by a sunny window to recharge it during a long outage, if your building allows it.
- A small UPS for the router and modem, so the internet stays up through short cuts.
- Gas, propane or dual fuel generators: no. Carbon monoxide builds up fast in and around apartments, and most leases and fire codes forbid them, even on balconies.
- Never plug anything into the apartment's wiring ("backfeeding"). Power stations only power what's plugged directly into them.
My own experience
I've lived with eight-hour outages every day for ten years. What kept me working was simple: a UPS for the computer and router, power banks for the phone, and rechargeable lights for the evenings. A power station is the same idea with much more capacity, enough for the fridge and a full workday. Start with what you truly need to keep on, then size the battery. Read my story.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a generator in an apartment?
Not a gas or propane generator. They produce carbon monoxide, must run at least 20 feet from doors and windows, and most leases, building rules and fire codes forbid them on balconies and in units. A battery power station has no engine and no fumes, so it is the practical option for apartments.
Does my building's backup generator power my apartment?
Usually not. When a building has a standby generator, it typically powers emergency lighting, elevators, fire systems and other common areas, not the outlets inside individual units. Ask your building manager what it covers.
Can I use solar panels in an apartment?
Portable folding panels can recharge a power station from a sunny balcony or window, as long as your lease and building allow it. They plug straight into the power station, with no wiring to the building. Fixed panels or anything connected to the apartment's wiring needs the landlord's permission and an electrician.
What size power station do I need for an apartment?
For Wi-Fi, phones and lights, a 300 to 500 Wh unit covers about a day. Add the refrigerator and you'll want around 1,000 to 2,000 Wh with enough surge to start the compressor. Use the calculator on this page for your exact list.
Estimates from typical consumption; check your devices' labels. Power station specs from manufacturers, last checked October 21, 2026. Always follow your lease and building rules. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.