What are some reasonably priced options for backup power?

[Jeremy]

Our electrical power goes off several times a year during storms.
It's inconvenient, and the furnace stops. I can't afford a big backup generator.
What are some reasonably priced options for backup power?

[home improvement guy]

If you need to keep most of your appliances and your heating system running, a large automatic backup generator, powered by gas or propane, is probably your only choice. If you just need to have some lights on, a television, or a backup wood-burning heater, you have quite a few options.

Obviously, during winter, a long power outage can result in frozen pipes and other problems in your house. To protect yourself, installing a small free-standing pellet stove or blower unit for a fireplace works well. These can operate on 12-volt battery power long enough to protect your house.

Small portable gasoline-powered generators are not extremely expensive and can produce enough electricity to keep your furnace, refrigerator and lights running. Add up the wattage requirements for each item you need to keep operating, and the total will tell you how large (in kilowatts) a generator is needed.

The generator should have several built-in 120-volt AC outlets for the items you need to operate. Don't try to wire this type of generator into your house electrical system. It can't produce enough power for your entire house, and it presents a hazard for the utility's repairman working to repair the lines.

For less than $100, battery packs are available with 120-volt AC outlets built into them. They usually have two AC outlets that are powered by a inverter inside the unit. The 120-volt outlet wattage power is limited, but it is enough to power a pellet stove, a fireplace blower and lights. An uninterruptible power supply) for a computer also can be used.

Some battery packs also have 12-volt cables to help start a car if its battery goes out. Many also have a built-in LED light and an air pump for tires and sports balls. Keep in mind, even though it is just powered by a battery, the electricity from its 120-volt outlet is as dangerous as from your standard house power.

The amount of electric power a battery pack can provide is a function of the battery pack size in ampere-hours and the capacity in watts of its inverter. Typical battery packs are in the 18 ampere-hour range, but some go as high as 51. These are lead-acid batteries, so they are fairly heavy.

For short-term 120-volt electricity, a separate inverter can be attached to your car battery with battery cables. Some have a 750-watt maximum output with several outlets. It will run down the car battery, but running the car engine keeps it charged for the temporary electric power needed.

The following companies offer portable battery packs:

- Clore Automotive, 1-800-328-2921, Jumpstarter.com.

- Duracell, 1-800-300-1857, Duracellpower.com.

- Schumacher Electric, 1-800-621-5485, Batterychargers.com.

- Wagan Tech, 1-800-231-5806, Wagan.com.

- Xantrex, 1-800-670-0707, Xantrex.com.