Home backup sized for the outage you actually get
24-hour outage or 5-day ice storm? They need different systems. PowerLab sizes yours for the outage history of your region, not a manufacturer’s pitch.
Essentials vs. whole-home
Model both. Know the price delta — and whether your furnace fan really matters at 2am.
Realistic outage history
Enter your typical outage duration; we size batteries + generator backup to match. No more scaring you into a $40k system.
Hybrid solar supported
Backup + solar + grid all modeled. See when solar actually covers your draw during an outage.
Code-referenced PDF
NEC Article 706 + 480.7 for stationary battery, inspector-ready schedules.
Typical loads we already model
These are realistic watt draws and duty cycles pulled from the PowerLab appliance catalog. When you start a design, you pick from this catalog and customize \u2014 nothing to re-type.
| Load | Watts | Hrs/day | Wh/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 150 | 8 | 1,200 |
| Furnace blower fan | 700 | 6 | 4,200 |
| Well pump (brief) | 750 | 0.5 | 375 |
| Wi-Fi + router | 30 | 24 | 720 |
| LED lights (core rooms) | 60 | 5 | 300 |
| Laptop + phone chargers | 100 | 8 | 800 |
| Medical device (CPAP) | 60 | 8 | 480 |
| Sample total | 8,075 Wh/day |
Typical real-world band for this niche: 3,000\u201310,000 Wh/day (midpoint 6,500). Your actual number depends on your gear and how you use it; PowerLab calculates it exactly.
Ask these once your design is loaded
PowerLab Co-Pilot sees your exact design and can answer questions in plain English. Starter prompts for this niche:
- \u203aCan I run my fridge + furnace fan + internet for 48 hours?
- \u203aHow much does whole-home backup add vs. just the essentials circuit?
- \u203aDoes my solar keep working if the grid goes down?
Frequently asked
Tesla Powerwall vs. DIY battery?
Powerwall is turn-key and warranty-covered; DIY is 40–60% cheaper per kWh and user-maintainable. PowerLab models both paths — energy audit first, buying decision second.
Do I need a transfer switch?
Yes for grid interconnect. NEC 702 requires one. An automatic (ATS) is smoother; manual is cheaper. PowerLab’s permit report lists which applies.
What about my solar panels during a grid-down event?
Only hybrid or AC-coupled systems (Sol-Ark, Enphase IQ-10, etc.) keep producing during an outage. String-inverter systems shut down by anti-islanding. PowerLab flags this in compliance checks.
Design yours in the next 10 minutes
Free tier gets you load + battery + solar sizing for up to 3 designs. No credit card required. Upgrade when you need the Co-Pilot, live BMS monitoring (Victron live today), or permit-ready PDFs.
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