How to Keep Your Furnace and Essential Home Systems Running During a Power Outage
A power outage will affect more than just the lights in your home. Even systems that don’t rely entirely on electricity may stop working when the power goes out. Your furnace, well pump, sump pump, refrigerator, and other essential systems may all need electricity to operate.
A portable generator or battery inverter can provide backup power, but it isn’t enough on its own. Homeowners need a safe way to connect their generator or battery inverter to the home’s electrical system before an outage happens.
Here are a few tips for keeping your furnace and essential items running during a power outage with a generator or battery inverter.
Why Your Furnace Can Stop Working When the Power Goes Out
It may seem like a furnace should continue running during an outage, especially if your home uses natural gas, propane, or oil for heat. However, your heating system needs more than fuel.
Most furnaces in homes today use electricity to operate important components, like:
- Blower motors that circulate warm air throughout the home
- Electronic controls that manage the heating cycle
- Ignition systems that start the burner
- Fuel pumps or valves on certain heating systems
When the electricity goes out, these components may stop working even if you still have access to your normal heating fuel.
This is especially important during a winter power outage. Without a working heating system, indoor temperatures drop quickly, creating uncomfortable or unsafe conditions and increasing the risk of frozen pipes.
Other Essential Home Systems That Need Electricity
Your furnace isn’t the only system you should consider when preparing for an outage. Depending on your home, several other essential appliances and systems may depend on electricity.
Sump Pumps
Sump pumps help remove water from around your home’s foundation so it doesn’t collapse. During a storm, losing power when heavy rain or snow occurs can leave a basement vulnerable to flooding.
Well Pumps
If your home uses a private well, the well pump needs electricity to move water into your home. A power outage can therefore affect your access to running water.
Refrigerators and Freezers
Keeping your refrigerator and freezer powered will help protect food from spoiling during extended outages. Without power, your risk of food waste increases.
Medical Equipment
Some homeowners rely on electricity-powered medical equipment to stay healthy. Having an emergency power plan can be especially important if an outage could interrupt its operation.
Internet and Communication Equipment
Your modem, router, and other communication equipment also require electricity. Keeping these systems powered can help you stay connected during an extended outage.
Have a Generator or Battery Inverter Connection in Place Before an Outage
One of the most important parts of generator and battery inverter preparedness is determining how you will connect your backup power system to the home’s electrical panel.
Simply having a portable generator or battery inverter sitting in the garage won’t automatically provide backup power to your furnace or other hardwired systems. Homeowners need an appropriate connection method that lets the generator safely supply power to selected circuits.
Plan and install this before the power goes out. Trying to figure out how to connect a generator during a storm or winter outage can create unnecessary stress and safety risks.
Use a Manual Transfer Switch for Portable Generator Power or Battery Inverter
A manual transfer switch lets you connect a portable generator or battery inverter to selected circuits in your home’s electrical system. Instead of running extension cords through the house, the generator can supply power to the circuits you’ve designated for backup.
Depending on the home’s electrical setup and generator/battery inverter capacity, these circuits could include essential systems such as:
- Furnace
- Sump pump
- Well pump
- Refrigerator
- Freezer
- Selected lights
- Smoke detectors
- Essential outlets
By installing a manual transfer switch such as the EZ Generator Switch, you can choose which circuits are top priority when the power goes out. This allows you to keep your home comfortable in a stressful situation, knowing what matters most is ready to go once the generator or battery inverter is hooked up.
Don’t Wait Until the Power Goes Out
Generator and battery inverter preparation is much easier when you’re not standing in the dark during an outage, trying to figure out what needs power.
Before the next outage:
- Identify essential systems you want to keep running.
- Determine how much power those systems require.
- Choose an appropriately sized generator or battery inverter.
- Have the proper connection installed (EZ Generator Switch)
- Know how to operate the generator safely.
- Test the setup before an emergency occurs.
Be sure to only operate portable generators outdoors and away from doors, windows, and other openings to reduce the risk of carbon monoxide entering the home.
Prepare Now for Your Next Power Outage With The EZ Generator Switch
Keeping your furnace and other essential systems running during a power outage starts with preparation before the storm arrives. Understanding which systems depend on electricity and having a safe generator or battery inverter connection in place can make a significant difference when the power goes out.
EZ Generator Switch provides a manual transfer switch solution that helps homeowners connect a portable generator or battery inverter to essential home circuits. The switch comes prewired and is UL Standard 1008 / Certified to CAN/CSA Std. C22.2 #178.1:2022 ED.4. We also provide manual instructions and how-to videos for easy installation.
By preparing your connection before an outage, you can provide backup power when you need it most. Purchase an EZ Generator Switch today to safely connect your backup power system and stay comfortable in your home.