If you have a private home, you can solve the problem by purchasing a generator that will provide the necessary electricity during power outages. However, for apartment dwellers, this is not an option and this is where charging stations come in handy.

Techno 24 has prepared material to help you define your needs correctly and choose a station.

How to prepare for power outages

Frequent power outages can seriously disrupt daily life. This can affect both work and the usual routine: cooking, housework and other tasks.

Power outages have become a daily reality for Ukrainians, and many have already begun to make ends meet by making their homes a little more autonomous. Powerful charging stations are a reliable solution for such situations.

These portable devices act like large batteries, storing and providing power to devices during power outages. They are essentially the same large power banks you use to charge your smartphone, but with a bit more technology, as they can power lights, refrigerators, laptops, tablets, boilers, and other appliances in your apartment.

Home power plants have many advantages over traditional generators:

• Quiet operation: They operate quietly, making them ideal for use in apartments or at night.
• Portability: Compact and lightweight, easy to store and carry.
• Possibility of using ecologically clean energySome models can be paired with solar panels, allowing you to charge with renewable energy during the day.

Also, having a generator in an apartment is illegal and dangerous for life for many reasons, such as the emissions produced during operation and the noise that is guaranteed to disturb the neighbors.

With the help of a home charging station, you can ensure the operation of your most important devices and ensure the comfort and safety of your family.

What should be considered when choosing a charging station?

Choosing the right home power plant depends on your specific needs and energy consumption. Consider the following factors:

• Output power: It’s measured in watts and determines how much continuous power the station can provide. Base stations can power phones or laptops, while higher-powered models can power refrigerators, light fixtures, and even some electrical appliances.
• Battery capacity: Measured in watt-hours (Wh), it indicates how long the station can power your devices on a single charge. More capacity means longer runtimes during power outages.
• Number of sockets: Consider how many devices you need to power at once. Stations typically offer AC outlets for standard devices, USB ports for smaller electronics, and sometimes DC outlets for special needs.

Before purchasing a station, you need to calculate your electricity needs correctly.

How to calculate the consumption of electrical appliances in an apartment

Understanding your home’s energy usage is key to choosing the right home power station. If you choose a smaller capacity station, you’ll likely run the risk of leaving an important appliance without power and you’ll have to choose what to sacrifice. On the other hand, a very powerful station could cost you a pretty penny, and those costs may not be worth it.

The following steps will help you calculate the required power and watt-hours:

1. List the appliances you want to use during a power outage, such as lighting, refrigerators, laptops, televisions, and medical equipment.
2. You can find the wattage (W) on the device, in the user manual or on the manufacturer’s website.
3. Estimate the daily usage time of each device during a power outage. For example, a refrigerator may run for 8 hours, a laptop for 4 hours, and a router for 6 hours – all of these need to be accounted for.
4. If we take into account the starting power of electrical appliances, it is usually several times higher than the nominal value, and if you do not take this into account, some devices, such as a boiler or refrigerator or, for example, a washing machine, may not start at all.
5. Multiply the appliance’s wattage by the estimated time it will be used per day to find its daily watt-hour (Wh) consumption using this formula: Daily Wh Consumption = Appliance Wattage (W) x Usage Time (hours).
6. Repeat the calculation for all major appliances and add the watt-hour values ​​to determine the total daily watt-hour requirement.
7. Add a 20-30% buffer to your total daily watt-hour consumption to account for unexpected power surges or extra electricity usage. This ensures that your charging station can meet your needs.

Power outages can disrupt everyday life, but if you have a home charging station in your apartment, you will be able to get through this time safely. A sufficiently powerful station will provide you with a reliable backup solution, support the operation of your most important devices, and guarantee comfort and safety.