HOUSTON – After the intense power outages from Hurricane Beryl, everyone and their mom started looking high and low for generators. And with Hurricane Season inching closer, many are holding their breath for the next natural disaster and inevitable power outage.
RELATED: Here’s what you need to know before starting your generator during power outages across Houston area
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If you’ve already purchased a generator for your home and have your hurricane gear ready to go, congratulations!
For my friends who have an apartment and are wondering what they can do to prepare, there are options for you so you aren’t left in the dark.
Battery-Operated Generators
According to Sam Luna, Director of Product Marketing for BKV Energy, there are a myriad of options renters can look for to get battery-powered generators for their apartment. It might even be worth getting one even if you own your own home, just to have an extra sense of security.
“If you live in Houston and you have kids, it’s not just worth it—it is a must-do,“ Luna explained. ”Speaking from experience, even a couple of hours in power outages during the summer, kids’ devices, games, it helps pass the time, keeps the parents sane, and it’s just a good piece of mind. And there are so many people now that have CPAP machines just for their way of living that having a portable power solution, really is something that they should consider and look into."
Of course, before you search for anything, Luna reminds it would be wise to check in with your apartment management or landlord, especially for anything other than the battery-powered route.
What to look for in a battery generator
Just like you would if buying a gas-powered generator, it’s important to consider what your needs are.
“If you think you have a larger device like a CPAP machine or even a small fridge, then you’re going to want to look at the rating of those portable power solutions and make sure they have a standard 110 outlet,” Luna explained. “Some may only have USB-C or A outlets, but if you want something with a larger output, look for one with multiple 110 outlets on it.
“Some even have a surge protector built in so that if you’re going to use something that has a heating element, maybe like a toaster oven, that way you can protect your device without damaging it,” he continued.
What kind of battery-powered generator is right for me?
As for what kind of generators to consider, Consumer Reports released its list of best portable power stations, which you can find here. And Luna says these optional choices can be found in stores and online.
“Anker has a history of building solid-state battery solutions in the digital space, and so what they started to put out in the market for portable home solutions is great,“ he explained. ”There’s a couple of other EcoRiver and EcoFlow options that Costco carries; I found being able to go into Costco locally, see it and touch it is great, and then they also have the add-on additions of some small portable solar panels so that for an extended period of time, if you’re in an apartment you could actually put that solar panel by your window or on the ledge, run the cable to that battery so that you’re able to charge it when it’s when you may not have a typical power solution."
For additional information, BKV Energy has a list of what they consider the best home generators for power outages on their website, which you can find by clicking here. They also shared helpful tips for what should do when your power goes out. consider