| We've discussed getting backup power periodically since moving (most of our neighbors have something). After the big bomb cyclone that hit the NPW this became a priority and I did a very similar tradeoff matrix. Here were some of my consideration points against a generator (I had a list for batteries too): 1. the previous owners electrified the house so having a tank just for a generator didn't make sense 2. per 1, a small tank wouldn't last very long and if we're out of power for multiple days gas delivery is unlikely to be happening anyway. 3. tank + generator didn't have a practical placement location for us 4. smaller portable generators didn't make sense from a maintenance perspective since they didn't auto test. 5. what happens if it fails a self test right before a storm? 6. we get intermittent power cuts / fluctuations / outages throughout the year and the generator + ATS wouldn't protect sensitive electronics well Edit: ATS + batteries can play nice together then I might look at doing a small portable as aux backup |
The PNW has been on a campaign of hate against natural gas lately and unfortunately that delusion has spread to its residents. One of the most reliable low-maintenance appliances you could own is a direct vent natural gas fired water heater. Requires no external power source and quietly delivers hot water. The previous administration outlawed them but I understand that ridiculous law has now been reversed. You were trading a shred of efficiency for much lower reliability and resiliency. I would hear a lot of whataboutism that natural gas delivery requires electricity for the pumps but have never seen or heard of a single example of that happening, certainly not your typical PNW windstorm.
That leaves the essentials:
* Fridge/Freezer
* Heat
With an Energy Star fridge and a high efficiency natural gas fired furnace you could easily power this off a Costco-grade portable generator and have enough power left over to power the phone chargers and Internet (assuming that isn't out too).
The PNW's environmental crusading hate-boner against natural gas is going to end very poorly for its residents. Before forcing everyone onto heat pumps and electric everything they need to figure out how to keep the lights on more consistently than Puerto Rico.