Keeping the Sump Pump Running in an Outage
Storms that knock out power often bring the heaviest rain, and a sump pump without power can let a basement flood in hours. Battery backups, water-powered backups and generators, compared.
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Transfer Switch vs. Interlock Kit Explained
Two safe, legal ways to connect a portable generator to your house circuits. How a transfer switch and a panel interlock work, the pros and cons of each, and why an electrician…
Generator Safety: Carbon Monoxide, Placement, and Backfeeding
Generators save lives in outages and kill people every year. The rules for carbon monoxide, where to place a generator, fueling, cords, and why backfeeding can kill a lineworker.
How to Size a Backup Generator for Your House
Buy too small and the sump pump stalls; buy too big and you waste fuel and money. How to add up running and starting watts for what you actually need to run…
Winter Car Kit, Midwest Edition
A Midwest winter can strand you on a highway for hours. What belongs in a winter car kit, why each item matters, and what to do if you get stuck.
Battery Pack Recalls: How to Check Yours and Store Lithium Safely
51,000 recliner battery packs sold on Amazon were just recalled for fire risk. How to check every lithium battery in your house against recalls, and how to charge and store them safely.
Why You Should Stay Home the First 72 Hours (Bugging In When Your Town Goes Sideways)
When a disaster hits your town, the safest place is usually your own home. Why the first three days are the most dangerous time to be out, and how to set up…
Portable Power Station vs. Generator for a Midwest Home
Battery power station or gas generator? What each can actually run, how long, the safety rules, and which makes sense for a Midwest house facing storms and winter outages.
Midwest Power Outages: How Long They Really Last (NIPSCO's August Storm)
The August 11 derecho left NIPSCO customers in northwest Indiana dark for up to two weeks. What the hearing showed, and how long a Midwest family should plan to go without power.
What is Grey Man and Why Is it Useful?
Grey man is an interesting and useful philosophical concept. In this article, we will try to expound on the concept, how to become a grey man, and why it is useful. Basically,…