Winter in the US means there’s going to be an increased demand for water heaters and household heating equipment. These appliances, although convenient, take up most of your energy bills. Statistics show that water heating accounts for about 18% of your home’s energy use and is typically the second largest energy expense in a home. [1]
Moreover, oftentimes, unpredictable winter weather may disturb the local power grid, making it difficult for you to heat your home and create a cozy environment. That’s where the best portable power station comes in!
Let’s discuss more about how the best portable power station supports your home’s power needs and the perfect options to choose from!
Electricity Demand of US Families in Winter
In winter, US families experience a high electricity demand since they have to heat water, keep lights on for a long time, and overall increase appliance usage. Here’s a detailed explanation of each point:
- Winter Heating
Winter in the US can be freezing. Except for Hawaii, temperatures in every state in the continental U.S. have dropped below zero degrees.
Winter heating is a major reason for the increase in household electricity demand in the United States. Each household needs to use electric heaters, air conditioners, and other heating equipment for a long time, resulting in a significant increase in electricity consumption. In addition, due to the influence of extreme weather, such as grid damage caused by cold waves, the power supply has been affected, leading to a further increase in electricity demand.
- Longer Lighting Time
Well, winter means there’ll be shorter daylight, so families need to keep their lights on for longer. You may have to rely more on ambient and decorative lighting to maintain visibility and comfort in your home. This prolonged usage adds to overall electricity demand, skyrocketing your energy bills.
- Increased Household Appliance Usage
The colder months also lead to an uptick in overall appliance usage. You use things like heaters, humidifiers, electric blankets, and geysers to maintain warmth and comfort in your home.
Other than that, kitchen appliances like induction cookers and electric grills may also see frequent usage as families come together to prepare hearty winter meals.
As a result, you see a massive electricity demand that also necessitates you to invest in some other energy source.
- Outdoor Activities in Winter
In winter, some winter sports and activities, such as skiing, winter camping, ice fishing, etc., may require additional power support, such as supplying power to outdoor lighting and heating equipment.
For example, if you are planning to arrange a tea party on your lawn, you have to run things like electric patio heaters and lighting. Suppose it’s a holiday, too; you may also need to prepare food and operate entertainment equipment. It seems fun but significantly increases your energy bills.
Choose a Suitable Portable Power Station Solution
Due to the increased electricity demand in winter, you must be looking for the best portable power station to decrease your electricity bills. Here are some options that you can explore:
- Inverter Generator
An inverter generator is a power conversion device that converts AC power into DC power and then inverts it into stable AC power. It can provide cleaner and safer electricity for sensitive electronic devices. What makes this portable generator quite popular is its quieter operation (about 65dB) and lighter weight compared to other traditional generators.
Not only this, but its fuel efficiency is also good as it adjusts the engine speed to synchronize with the current load. Hence, they consume less fuel and operate for extensive hours, making them quite cost-effective.
However, the purchase costs of inverter generators are relatively high. Its complex electronic components may require more specialized maintenance services.
- Propane Generator
Another one of the best portable power stations is a propane generator. It uses propane as fuel, which is way cleaner than other options like gasoline and diesel.
The working principle of a propane generator is based on an internal combustion engine. It generates power by burning a mixture of propane and air, which drives the rotor inside the generator to generate a magnetic field in the stator coils. The changing magnetic field can generate alternating current in the coil, which is then transmitted to the external circuit to provide power for your home appliances.
Propane generators have lower fuel costs, produce fewer pollutants, and are suitable for various environments and conditions. However, it requires regular maintenance to ensure safe operation. Compared to electric equipment, the start-up time of propane generators may be longer.
- Solar Power Station
When it comes to the best portable power station, nothing can truly beat the class of solar power stations. As evident by the name, these power stations utilize the sun’s energy to produce electricity.
Here are the components of solar power stations:
- Solar panels
- Battery storage
- Inverter
- Controller
The working principle of a solar power station is to directly convert light energy into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. When sunlight shines on portable solar panels, the electrons in them absorb the sun’s energy, causing them to move in the circuit and form an electric current. The electricity can be stored in portable battery packs.
When you try to access this electricity, the built-in inverter changes the pure DC received by the panels into AC, which is required by most household appliances. Solar power stations are preferred as the best solar generator for home backup because of their totally clean, reliable, and cost-effective power.
Here’s a glimpse into the detailed benefits of this best portable power station:
- Quiet Operation: The solar power station operates quietly like a whisper. It will not affect the rest and quality of life of families due to noise, nor will it disturb the lives of your neighbors.
- Safe: Solar power plants do not involve combustion processes, so there is no risk of fire or explosion. Meanwhile, due to the absence of moving parts, the possibility of mechanical failure is also reduced. These characteristics make solar power plants one of the best power stations during use.
- Reliable Energy: The reliability that solar generators bring is unmatchable. Since these best portable power stations rely on solar energy, you’ll have power as long as the sun is up and even later if you have connected it to battery storage. Grid failures and weather conditions don’t hinder your ability to power your home in winter.
- Eco-friendly: Solar energy is a kind of clean and renewable energy source, and using solar power stations can reduce dependence on traditional fuels, thereby reducing polluted gas emissions and the production of other pollutants. It can protect the environment and reduce the impact of climate change.
Jackery Solar Power Stations as the Home Power Solution
In response to rising household energy bills and potential winter power outages, it is particularly important to find a backup power solution that can meet both daily electricity needs and emergency situations. In this context, Jackery solar power stations have become ideal choices for many households due to their excellent performance and multiple advantages.
Here are two of the best portable power station options you can try this winter:
- Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station
Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station delivers a massive 2kWh capacity and can be expanded to 24kWh by adding battery packs; you can rely on this best portable power station to power your electric pressure cooker, electric oven, kettle, heaters, and other home appliances to reduce your electricity bills.
Versatility is at the core of this portable power station, as you can charge it using solar panels or opt for wall and car charging. Under solar charging mode, you need around six Jackery SolarSaga 200W solar panels to fully recharge it in 2 hours. It means you don’t have to worry about its availability during emergencies.
The Jackery SolarSaga solar panels are built with industry-leading solar conversion efficiency of up to 25%. They can generate 50% more energy in low-light conditions than traditional panels. What’s impressive about this best portable power station is that it operates at a noise level as low as 30 dB, ensuring minimal disruption during home use.
- Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Station is a larger power plant if you need to run multiple equipment at once. Offering a gigantic 5-60kWh and a powerful output range from 7.2kW to 14.4kW, this best portable power station can easily run energy-intensive appliances like dryers, water pumps, air conditioners, and electric kettles during winter.
It has 120V/240V dual voltage functionality that allows for easy integration with many household appliances. The 0 ms UPS switchover is an incredible game-changer that delivers uninterrupted power without any delay. What’s more, the ChargeShield technology 2.0 is here to protect your devices against any fluctuations and also guarantee reliable operation. Thus, even if you want to work from home during winter, it protects your computer from voltage fluctuation damage.
There are five different ways to charge the Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Station. For instance, the high-voltage PV charging at 4000W fully charges the system in just 1.7 hours, while the hybrid charging using a combination of AC, solar panels, and a Smart Transfer Switch also reaches full capacity at the same time. You can also solely rely on solar charging, AC charging, and Smart Switch Charging. They all provide fast charging capability.
For more information about the two best portable power stations, you can visit the Jackery website.
How to Reduce Winter Electricity Costs?
If you are struggling to reduce your winter electricity costs that are denting your monthly budget, here are some tips that may help you:
- Fully Utilize Solar Power Stations
The first thing that you can do is fully capitalize on the potential of your solar power station. Make sure you run most of your appliances, especially electricity-intensive ones, during the daytime when the sun is out and shining.
Also, you can use more portable battery packs to store excess power that you can use at night to power small lighting and heating equipment. This will reduce your reliance on the traditional grid, ultimately lowering your winter energy costs.
- Reduce Heating Temperature
It’s also advisable to reduce the heating temperature of your thermostat to save some money on your bills. For instance, as the home becomes warm, you can lower the temperature by only a few degrees. Doing so reduces the thermostat’s electricity consumption, and less power used means less electricity cost.
- Check the ENERGY STAR-Certified Label
If you are changing home appliances, you should go with the ones that are Energy Star Certified. These appliances are verified to consume way less energy while also working effectively. Some common options that you can find with an Energy Star rating are washers, dryers, heat pumps, water heaters, and refrigerators.
- Turn off Standby Appliances
Many people don’t know this, but even in standby mode, appliances still consume energy. So, it’s suggested to unplug all such devices that are not in use or opt for smart power strips that can automatically cut off power when appliances aren’t in use, lowering energy bills.
- Reduce the Lighting Time
As daylight becomes scarce in winter, it’s totally understandable to keep lights on for extended periods. However, these small devices can also consume a lot of energy. You should, therefore, reduce the usage of lights. For instance, gather everyone in one room or hall and keep all other lights off. Or you can opt for energy-saving LED lights that are 75% more energy efficient than traditional incandescent lights.
Conclusion
Opting for the best portable power stations, especially those utilizing solar energy, can significantly lower your winter electricity costs. Jackery provides the best portable power stations with different power capacities.
Whether to reduce dependence on traditional energy or to improve life quality and environmental sustainability, Jackery solar power stations provide an efficient, convenient, and cost-effective solution.
If you are choosing the best solar generator for off-grid living or emergency applications, visit the Jackery website today and order your winter energy solution!
References
[1] Water Heating. Available at: https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/water-heating (Accessed: November 20, 2024)
