Power outage costs are higher than you think—here’s what you can do to protect your home

You're working from home when the lights flicker and go out. Your internet dies, your refrigerator stops humming, and you're left wondering how long you could be in the dark.

If you're like most Americans, you're likely to experience about 5.6 hours of power outages each year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). While that might not sound like much time, even short blackouts can be expensive—and longer ones can cost you thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.

The financial impact of losing power extends far beyond a slightly higher electric bill. Between potential property damage, emergency supplies, spoiled groceries, and lost productivity, power outages can hit your wallet hard. But here's the thing: You can plan ahead and avoid being at the mercy of an unreliable power grid.

Solar batteries are also changing the game for homeowners who want to take control of their energy security. When paired with solar panels, these backup systems can keep your lights on and your food fresh—and even offer a lifeline to neighbors if needed. We'll break down exactly what power outages could cost you and how investing in energy storage might be one of the smartest financial decisions you make for your home.

Your level of preparation and the duration of the power outage will partially determine how much it will cost you. Here are some of the most common costs associated with power outages:

Major power outage costs

Spoiled food

Cost: about $200 for a fridge full of groceries

If you have a fridge and/or freezer full of perishable food and your power outage lasts more than a day, you'll likely experience significant food waste.

During a power outage, keep your refrigerator and freezer closed as much as possible to retain the cold air. Food in the fridge will generally stay fresh for a day after an outage, and food in the freezer will stay frozen for a day to a day and a half if you keep it closed.

If your power outage lasts more than a few hours, make sure to check your food for signs of spoilage before consumption.

Emergency supplies

Cost: about $25 - $100, depending on what you need

Stocking up on emergency supplies is the best way to prepare for a power outage. Especially if you're notified of a planned shutdown or you're aware of extreme weather heading your way, plan to have the following on hand:

• Firewood and fuel source

• Candles

• Flashlight

• Extra batteries

• Portable phone charger (with a full charge)

• Non-perishable foods (at least enough for one week for your entire household)

• Extra bottled water (at least enough for one week for your household, including pets)

Lost productivity

Cost: about $200, assuming you make $25/hour and miss a full day of work

During a power outage, you'll lose your internet connection. So, if you need it to do your job, it could mean losing actual wages if you're an hourly worker or having to take a personal day if you're a salaried employee.

The cost of your lost productivity will vary significantly depending on your unique situation, but you should consider it if you frequently experience power outages.

Property damage

Cost: anywhere from $500 - $25,000, depending on the severity of the damage

You may not experience any property damage during a power outage. Or, an outage could cost you thousands of dollars. Either way, it's important to be aware of the potential risks.

When a power outage ends, the large surge of electricity that goes to your home can damage your electronics. To protect your property, make sure you either unplug or use a surge protector for major electronics like computers and televisions.

It's more difficult to avoid damage directly to your house. For example, if the outage occurs during a hurricane and you can't run your sump pump, you could experience flooding in your basement. This could cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $25,000!

Similarly, if the outage occurs during a winter storm and you lose heat, your pipes could burst (something that happened to quite a few people during the 2021 Texas freeze), costing anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Alternative housing

Cost: about $150/night, depending on the location and quality of the hotel

Sometimes, the damage to your home from an outage is bad enough that you need to find alternative housing. You also could decide that your need for power is worth paying the cost of a hotel.

Your costs here depend on where you're looking for alternative housing, the quality of the hotel, and how long you need to stay there. If you have a friend or family member nearby with power, it's always worth checking if you can stay with them!

Absolutely! These are some of the biggest health risks associated with power outages:

• Spoiled food. Remember how we mentioned that food could spoil quickly without refrigeration? If you've ever gotten food poisoning, you know that eating spoiled can lead to misery and serious health risks.

• Mold buildup. Water damage from flooding can cause harmful mold to form in your house.

• Extreme heat/cold. During extreme heat or cold, not having access to air conditioning or heating (assuming you also lose heat during the outage, which isn't always the case) can present a high risk.

• Medical device failure. If you need to store medication in a fridge or require electricity to power medical devices, you need to have a reliable backup source for power outages.

Outside of your home, you should be cautious around downed power lines (always assume they're active) and extra careful at traffic lights that aren't working.

Solar panels on their own don't work during a power outage. But if you install batteries with your solar panels, you'll have a reliable backup source—and it won't be noisy or require refueling like a generator.

Batteries turn your home into an "energy island," allowing you to keep your devices powered regardless of the grid's condition. With a large enough battery system, you can keep your fridge, sump pump, AC/heating source, and medical devices running, significantly reducing the health risks associated with power outages.

Modern battery systems are designed to automatically kick in when the grid goes down, so you might not even notice when an outage happens. This seamless backup power can save you from the financial headaches and safety risks that come with extended power loss, making energy storage a smart investment for your home's resiliency and your peace of mind.