| Do I need a battery backup system for my pellet | | | | power lines across the Midwest and hundreds of |
| stove or a backup portable generator? | | | | thousands of households are without electricity. It |
| The answer hinges on the length of the "average" | | | | will take utility crews working round the clock a |
| power outage where you live. If you live in an | | | | week or more to restore power. |
| area where power outages are infrequent and | | | | When a power outage is measured in days rather |
| last less than 10 or 12 hours, a battery backup | | | | than hours, you'll need a backup power source for |
| system for your pellet stove makes the most | | | | more than just your pellet stove. These would be |
| sense. | | | | your survival appliances like the fridge/freezer, |
| Battery Backup System | | | | stove top burners, well pump, a few light bulbs |
| A 10 hour battery backup system comprised of | | | | and, most important of all, the large screen TV. |
| excellent, yet reasonably price components costs | | | | The most noticeable difference between a |
| around $500. This is half the cost of a generator | | | | battery backup system and a portable generator |
| system of comparable quality. | | | | is the noise. While a battery backup system |
| Although a portable generator has the capacity to | | | | provides a silent transition to "off grid" power, a |
| generate power for many appliances, a backup | | | | portable generator will be a noisy reminder to |
| battery system can also be sized to service | | | | your neighbors that you had the knowledge of |
| more than one appliance. | | | | foresight to plan ahead for the safety and |
| Portable Generator | | | | comfort of your family. |
| As I write this article, an ice storm is snapping | | | | |