What happens to electric homes when there are power outages?

One of the major concerns about going electric is that home appliances won't work during a power outage. Here are a few points to consider.

Article updated August 2024.

Here are a few reasons you don't need to worry about power outages as much as you might think:

1. The grid is highly reliable and most power outages only last a few hours.
2. There are more, and better, backup options than ever; with solar and batteries, battery-integrated induction stoves, and electric cars with Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capability.
3. Many gas appliances also rely on the electrical grid.

Below, we cover each of these items in more depth.

The grid is highly reliable and most power outages only last a few hours.

In 2021, California's average electricity customer experienced 5.4 hours of power outages.

Those outages can be frustrating, but with an average duration of 4-6 hours, they generally aren't long enough to cause major disruptions in your home (such as the food in your fridge spoiling, or running out of hot water with your heat pump water heater).

In fact, thanks to the large water storage tank in heat pump water heaters, your hot water will typically last for 12 or more hours with no power.

Furthermore, the widespread transition to electric homes will make the grid more reliable and affordable over time.

There are better backup options than ever.

If you do live in an area with a high number of outages, you have some great options to keep your home running smoothly.

Solar system with battery backup. 

A solar battery backup system allows you to store excess energy generated by your solar panels for use when the sun isn't shining. This provides greater energy independence from the grid, as you can power your home using stored solar energy at night, during cloudy days, or power outages.

This QuitCarbon client installed solar panels and two Tesla Powerwall batteries.

Battery-integrated induction stoves and cooktops.

Worried about cooking when the power is out? 

New battery-integrated induction stoves and cooktops plug into a regular wall outlet to charge their batteries, which can then be used to cook during peak electricity rates, or during power outages.

These new stoves also avoid the expensive and disruptive wiring typically required for 240V induction cooktops, making them an excellent option for homes that are currently set up for cooking with gas.

Electric cars with Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability.

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology is an innovative system that allows electric vehicles (EVs) to not only draw power from the electrical grid but also feed energy back into it. This bidirectional flow of electricity offers numerous benefits for both EV owners and the power grid.

1. Nissan Leaf: This remains the only mass-market EV in the USA with full V2G capability, using the CHAdeMO charging standard.
2. Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: While a plug-in hybrid, it offers V2G functionality through its CHAdeMO port.

Several other EVs offer Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) or Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capabilities, which are stepping stones towards full V2G:

1. Tesla Cybertruck features bidirectional charging capabilities, including Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) to power external devices, Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) for backup power during outages, and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) charging for other electric vehicles. 
2. Ford F-150 Lightning: Provides V2H functionality through its Intelligent Backup Power system.
3. Hyundai models: Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 offer V2L capability.
4. Kia models: EV6 and EV9 feature V2L functionality.
5. Genesis models: GV60, GV70 (electric version), and G80 (electric version) offer V2L capability.

Many gas appliances also rely on the electrical grid - so they're not immune to power outages, either.

While fossil-fuel gas appliances may seem independent of the electric grid, many of them still rely on electricity to operate, and are thus susceptible to power outages.

Gas furnaces require electricity to function properly. Despite being powered by gas, they rely on several electrical components to operate effectively. Key parts that need electricity include:

• Blower Motors: These are essential for circulating heated air through the ductwork.
• Circuit Boards: They relay information between the thermostat and the furnace, controlling its operation.
• Relays: These switches manage the gas flow and safety devices within the system.
• Electronic Ignition Systems: Modern gas furnaces often utilize electronic ignition, which cannot operate without power.

During a power outage, these components can't function, rendering the furnace inoperable. Therefore, even if the gas supply is available, the absence of electricity means the furnace will not produce heat.

Modern gas water heaters feature electronic ignition systems, which require electricity to operate. These systems use electric components for ignition, control, and safety functions. If there is a power outage, these units will not function unless they have a backup power source.

Gas stoves can be manually lit without power, but ventilation fans will not operate. It's crucial to be cautious of indoor air quality and carbon monoxide risks when using gas appliances during power outages.