The pandemic hasn’t stopped power outages from disrupting our daily lives.¹ As we’ve grown increasingly reliant on our homes, we’re even more vulnerable to extended power outages than ever before.

With outdoor temperatures on the rise, it’s time to prepare for the next power outage.² Rest assured, you’ve come to the right place—at Sunrun, we can help put the power in your hands.

Sunrun’s home solar battery storage allows you to back up your entire home or just the essentials. Even when the electrical grid is down, you can stay cool during sweltering summer heatwaves, preserve perishable food and medications, and charge essential electronics, medical equipment, and power-dependent medical devices. It’s the peace of mind you need so you and your family can keep powering forward during a power outage.

In addition to clean and safe backup power, here are some crucial ways to prepare your family for power outages.

7 ways to prepare for a summer power outage

1. Get safe and reliable backup power

Make sure you have a source of backup power in the event of a power outage. A backup generator is a common source, but it can be dangerous and should only be used when absolutely necessary,³ especially during events like high winds that can cause debris and other hazards.

If you do use a gas-powered generator, make sure you keep it outdoors in a well-ventilated area and away from windows to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.⁴ The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends keeping generators 20 feet away from your home.⁵ You should also have a carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home and test it monthly to ensure it’s working properly.⁴

Sunrun offers a safer alternative to dangerous fossil fuel-burning generators. Our customizable solar battery storage options can offer clean backup power during a power outage, ensuring that critical equipment like medical devices and essential electronics continue to function.

Solar battery storage is not only clean and reliable—it’ll take care of many items on this checklist so you and your family can stay safe and healthy.

For as little as $0 down, get custom solar battery storage that runs on the solar panels and sun. You’ll have the power to take control of your energy and protect your family from sweltering summer heatwaves when the next power outage strikes.

2. Create a social safety net with solar generators

While seeing people outside of your immediate family can be difficult these days, it’s still a good idea to form a “pod” with nearby family and friends who you can count on if you need to evacuate your home during a power outage. 

Make sure to keep a paper copy of their phone numbers in case you lose access to your electronic devices or the internet.⁴

3. Have a plan to stay cool

Extreme heat shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially during a power outage. Take precautions to stay cool and avoid the risk of heatstroke or other heat-related illnesses.⁵ Drink plenty of fluids and have a supply of water bottles on hand in case your tap water becomes unsafe to drink.⁵

If you can, take cool baths or showers or spend the afternoon in a nearby mall or library with air conditioning. If you do spend time in a public space, make sure you adhere to your city’s public health rules and guidance. Your local health department may also be able to provide you with a list of cooling centers in your area if you experience a power outage during a heatwave.⁵

Home battery storage can also provide a vital source of backup power for your AC, so you can take shelter in the comfort and safety of your own home. Sunrun offers customizable solar battery backup for the whole home or just the essentials, ensuring you stay cool and safe during a power outage.

4. Have an emergency kit on hand 

Your emergency supplies should include enough of the following to last at least three days.⁵ The American Red Cross recommends up to two weeks.⁴

• Clean water

• Dried, canned, and other non-perishable food items 

• A heavy-duty cooler and ice packs to preserve your food supply and medication

• Battery-powered flashlights and extra batteries

• External batteries for phones 

• First aid kit and a digital thermometer

• Prescription medications and supplies for medical needs

• Hand sanitizer 

Use a flashlight in lieu of candles, gas lanterns, or torches to minimize the risk of a fire during summer power outages and natural disasters.

5. Store up clean drinking water

As mentioned above, it’s best to have enough bottled water on hand to last you for at least three days, especially during the summer months when the need to stay hydrated is crucial. Water purification systems may malfunction during a power outage, as was the case during Texas’s debilitating blackout earlier this year,⁶ making the lack of running water a real threat.

Do not use water that may be contaminated.⁷ If you find yourself needing more water during an extended outage, have contingency plans in place, such as knowing how to safely store and purify water. Your local health department can make recommendations for boiling or treating water in your area.⁵

6. Practice food safety

Food in your refrigerator and full freezer should still be safe to consume if a power outage lasts for about four hours. Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as you can in order to keep food cold for as long as possible.⁵

For an extended power outage, eat fresh, perishable foods first, and rely on non-perishable foods as backup. Keep a food thermometer on hand and throw out food that’s warmer than 40°F, especially meat and dairy.⁴

The best advice? When in doubt, throw it out.

7. Unplug non-essential appliances and electronics

To avoid power overloads or damage from power surges, disconnect appliances and electronics that don’t need to be plugged in at all times.⁴ Plan ahead by identifying which devices are essential to your critical needs during an outage.

If you’re running on backup power, you’ll be able to save more energy if you only power essential appliances like the AC unit or the refrigerator. This practice not only contributes to public safety by reducing the risk of overloading the system but could also help you save on your electricity bill in the long run.⁸

Power outages and global temperatures are on the rise

Blackouts and natural disasters go hand-in-hand. Since 2000, there’s been a staggering 67% rise in major power outages due to weather and climate-related events.⁹ In fact, the U.S. has more power outages than any other developed country in the world.¹⁰

With an aging and expensive power station and an electrical grid that’s increasingly susceptible to outages, clean and affordable energy sources like solar power and batteries will be crucial in offsetting the devastating effects of climate change.¹¹

Across the country, states like California and Texas are already investing heavily in battery storage to protect millions of residents from extreme weather events.^12,13 With the majority of remote work here to stay, Americans are becoming all the more reliant on their homes and electricity.¹⁴

In the face of rising electric rates, sweltering summer extreme temperatures, and increasing summer power outages, now is the time to take control of your energy.^15,16,17

Stay safe with clean, reliable, and affordable backup power

With solar battery storage, you can use the summer sun to power your home if the electrical grid goes down. You won’t have to worry about scorching summer heat, dangerous carbon monoxide emissions, losing power to essential devices, or keeping your food fresh and safe for your family.

Stay safe and go for a clean, reliable, and affordable backup power with Sunrun!