Plan for days, not hours: size a battery for refrigerator, internet, fans and phones, add a way to recharge (solar averages about 5.2 peak sun hours in Florida, less under storm clouds), keep any generator outdoors and above flood level, and book an electrician for a transfer switch before a storm is named.
Season and timing
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. Equipment, fuel and electricians get scarce once a storm is forecast, so the practical deadline for buying, testing and scheduling installation is before the season starts.
Heat changes the load
In Florida the loads that matter during an outage are often cooling-related: refrigerator and freezer, fans, internet and phones, and sometimes a window air conditioner. A window unit runs about 600 W with a large starting surge, which is a heavy draw for a battery and a reasonable target for a mid-size generator.
| Load | Typical average draw | Energy per 24 h (at 85% efficiency) |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 60 W | 1.7 kWh |
| Router, lights, phones | 165 W | 4.7 kWh |
| Two box fans | 150 W | 4.2 kWh |
| Window air conditioner (60% duty) | 360 W | 10.2 kWh |
Flood and storm placement
- Keep batteries, generators and cords above expected flood level and out of standing water; never operate electrical equipment in or near flood water.
- Secure outdoor equipment against wind and theft, and keep it covered by a structure designed for generators — not an enclosed space.
- After flooding, do not reconnect anything to the house until a licensed electrician says the system is safe.
Condos, HOAs and permits
- Condo and HOA rules often restrict generators and fuel storage; a battery power station avoids most of them.
- A transfer switch or interlock needs a licensed electrician and a permit through your local building department; ask about timelines before the season.
- Utilities may have their own rules for generator connections and for customers who depend on powered medical equipment — ask yours.
Solar for the sunny weeks
Florida's sun makes panels a sensible top-up between storms and after the clouds clear, but not a plan for the storm itself. Two 200 W panels add roughly 780 Wh on an average Florida day by our calculation. See the solar recharge guide and calculator.
Figures marked as Wattstanding calculations show their working; product figures come from the sources on each product page. How we work