Q: I plan to install a backup generator for power outages. How do I determine what size I need? Would it make economic sense to just use one all the time? A: Smaller portable or large whole-house ...

Solar panels can only generate electricity; they can’t store it, so you must pair them with a stand-alone battery bank or a power station. For home emergency power (for a few hours of power), we ...

When a sudden power outage leaves your entire neighborhood in darkness, you know you're not the only one scrambling to find flashlights, but what if you never had to experience that inconvenience? At ...

Three white propane tanks arranged in a row against a wooden wall - Joe_potato/Getty There are multiple ways you can back up the power in your home: You could go with a solar-battery setup, a ...

Amanda Blum is a freelancer who writes about smart home technology, gardening, and food preservation. Previously, Amanda has worked as a technology strategist specializing in problem solving and ...

Jeff Somers is a freelancer who has been writing about writing, books, personal finance, and home maintenance since 2012. When not writing, Jeff spends his free time fixing up his old house. He has ...