What you need to know about the outage forecast before you buy power backup

(BPT) - Excited about Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days? How about finding deals that really matter, like backup power solutions for your home? More than 4 in 10 households have no generator, battery, power station or solar storage, leaving them vulnerable to outages. Whether you work remote, have kids or pets, or care for aging family members, losing power is more than just a minor inconvenience. It can mean hours, days or even longer without heat, refrigeration for food and medications, or Wi-Fi to keep you connected.

Here's what you need to know about this year's outage season, and why taking advantage of Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days, Oct. 6-7, can help you find the right backup solution.

Outages are already common this year

According to Talker Research for Sunrun, two out of three homeowners have already experienced a power outage in 2026, even before fall and winter storm season has started. To prepare your household before you suddenly have no lights, refrigeration, heating or internet, start with a smaller option that can be expanded later.

For example, consider one of these options from Jackery, a global leader of home backup, innovative solar generators and green off-grid energy solutions:

• HomePower 1000 Plus V2 is a great choice if you're one of the 41% with no backup power. This 1024Wh unit is expandable up to 11kWh with add-on extension batteries, so a household can start small and grow coverage as needed. The 1800W rated output (3600W surge) runs roughly 80% of standard household appliances, keeping your refrigerator going up to 19 hours, or a space heater through a freezing night. The built-in uninterruptible power supply (UPS) switches to battery in 10 milliseconds or less, keeping routers and desktops online without rebooting.
  
  
• HomePower 2000 Plus V2 is a plug-and-play option that's expandable from 2048Wh up to 12kWh with add-on extension batteries with no rewiring or electrician required. It has a 2400W rated output (4800W peak surge), and the baseline unit alone can carry a typical refrigerator to keep your food cold for 48 hours.

Today's outages last longer

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. customers averaged 11 hours without power in 2024, nearly twice the prior decade's average, with major storms driving 80% of those hours. That's why it's more crucial than ever to plan for outages lasting anywhere from several hours to several days.

Live in a storm-prone region and want to be prepared for multi-day outages? One of these backup solutions could work for your household:

• HomePower 3600 Plus offers a 3600W output and 3584Wh capacity in a unit that rolls easily from garage to living room. The unit can connect to the home through a Manual Transfer Switch and expands up to 21kWh to carry essential circuits through a multi-day outage.
  
  
• Explorer 5000 Plus is ideal for larger homes. It pairs with a Smart Transfer Switch to take over essential circuits automatically. The unit has a 7200W rated output and modular expansion up to a potential 60kWh to cover your HVAC system, refrigeration and well pumps, all at once.

This winter may be unusual

The NOAA Climate Prediction Center forecasts a greater than 90% chance of a very strong "Super El Nino" this fall and winter, typically bringing wetter, cooler conditions all the way from central California to Florida and up the East Coast. Prepare for that by getting backup power so you're ready before the first storm hits.

• HomePower 3000 is a compact, easy-to-tuck-away solution that can prepare your home thanks to 3072Wh with 3600W output to keep the fridge, Wi-Fi, fans and lights running for a day or two. Its ZeroDrain™ technology means it sits ready at nearly full charge for up to 12 months, and an approximately 20-millisecond automatic switchover picks up the moment the grid drops.

What people miss most is predictability

According to Talker Research, homeowners say the biggest disruptions during outages are losing heating/cooling (57%), food spoilage (48%) and losing internet/cell service (44%). You can keep the heat on, food cold and Wi-Fi connection going with some planning: Choose a backup power solution now, so you'll have peace of mind when the power goes out.

5 things to check before you add to your cart

Shopping for home power backup? Here are top questions to ask so you can click "Place Your Order" with confidence during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days.

1. What must stay on? Do you need backup for your fridge, heat, Wi-Fi, medical devices and/or other appliances? Knowing your must-haves helps you make a smart decision.

2. How long do you need power? Look for watt hours (Wh), which indicates how long power can last, and watts (W), which means how much power you need all at once.

3. Can your power grow with add-on batteries? You may want a unit that's expandable in case you need more backup power.

4. Does it switch over instantly? Uninterruptible power supply, or UPS, protects electronics from power disturbances by switching to internal battery power when needed.

5. How long does the battery last? Look for LiFePO4/LFP cells, which are rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that are more stable and last longer.

Learn more about home backup power solutions at Jackery.com.