Power outages across Upstate New York are becoming more frequent due to severe storms, heavy snowfall, high winds, and aging infrastructure. Many homeowners are now looking beyond traditional generators and exploring home battery backup systems, or even hybrid setups that combine both.

At Clemens Electric, one of the top questions we hear is:

“Should I get a generator, a home battery system, or both — and what size do I actually need?”

Choosing the right backup system is essential for keeping your home safe, heated, and connected during extended outages. This guide explains how to size both generators and battery storage systems, how they differ, and which one is right for you.

Battery Backup vs. Generator — Which Is Better?

Home Battery Backup Systems

Great for:

• Silent, seamless backup
• Minimal maintenance
• Homes with solar
• Customers looking to be fuel independent

Generators

Great for:

• High-power loads ( AC, electric heat)
• Lower upfront cost
• Homes where solar and storage is not the right fit

Best of Both Worlds: Generator + Battery Hybrid System

This combination is growing rapidly in Upstate NY.
Benefits:

• Batteries handle moderate outages, and critical items
• Generators kick on only when extended power is needed
• Reduced fuel usage
• Lower noise and wear on the generator

Common Home Loads in Upstate NY (What You Need to Power)

Appliance / System|Typical Power Use| Battery Backup| Generator Backup

Refrigerator Low–Moderate ✅ Excellent ✅ Excellent

Freezer Low–Moderate ✅ Excellent ✅ Excellent

Lighting Low–Moderate ✅ Excellent ✅ Excellent

Internet & Wifi Low–Moderate ✅ Excellent ⚠️ Good

Phone Charging Low–Moderate ✅ Excellent ✅ Excellent

Gas or Oil Furnace Low–Moderate ✅ Excellent ✅ Excellent

Microwave Moderate ⚠️Good ✅ Excellent

Sump Pump Moderate ✅ Excellent ✅ Excellent

Well Pump Moderate ⚠️ Good ✅ Excellent

Heat Pump Moderate-High ⚠️ Good ⚠️ Good

Sensitive Electronics Moderate ✅ Excellent ❌ Not Recommended

Central Air High ⚠️ Good ⚠️ Good

Electric Water Heater High ⚠️ Good ⚠️ Good

Electric Range High ⚠️ Good ⚠️ Good

Battery Backup Sizing for NY Homes

Essential Load Backup (10 kWh battery)

Covers:

• Fridge
• Freezer
• Internet
• Lighting
• Outlets
• Small appliances

Runtime: 8–24 hours depending on usage.

Best for homes with frequent short outages.

Whole-Home Backup (20–40 kWh battery)

Covers:

• Furnace blower
• Sump pump
• Well pump (if properly managed)
• Refrigerator + freezer
• Lights + outlets
• + Essential Loads

Runtime: 18–36 hours under normal load.

Works best when paired with solar for daytime recharge.

Battery + Generator Hybrid (20–40 kWh battery + 13–22 kW generator)

Covers nearly everything, including extended outages.

Benefits:

• Batteries provide smooth instant backup
• Generator automatically recharges the batteries
• Generator run-time is dramatically reduced
• Ideal for Upstate NY’s long winter storms

Generator Sizing for Upstate NY Homes

Generators are sized in kilowatts (kW). Typical sizes include:

Partial Home Backup (13–18 kW Generator) — Most Popular Choice

Powers:

• Gas/oil heat
• Well pump
• Sump pump
• Refrigerator & freezer
• Microwave
• Lighting
• Select circuits

Great for homes in Averill Park, Wynantskill, East Greenbush, Chatham and the broader Capital Region.

Whole-Home Backup (22–26 kW Generator)

Powers nearly everything.

Includes:

• Central AC
• Kitchen appliances
• Pumps
• Outlets and lights throughout the home

Perfect balance of power, price, and reliability.

Extra-Large Homes (26+ kW)

Required when you have:

• Significant High Amperage Loads
• Multiple Heat Pumps or EV's

OR choose a generator + battery hybrid, which can reduce fuel consumption and smooth out peak loads.

Why Sizing Matters More in Upstate NY

Upstate NY homes have unique backup needs:

✔ Sump pumps and well pumps have high surge loads

Size matters to ensure your backup batteries or generator can appropriately power these loads.

✔ Winter outages require reliable heat

Even gas furnaces need electricity.

✔ Outages can last days

Sizing appropriately ensures you do not run out of backup capacity during an extended outage.

✔ Solar + battery systems maximize resilience & incentives

How Clemens Electric Helps You Choose the Perfect Backup System

As a licensed Master electrician and NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional Clemens Electric provides:

• Load analysis to size generators & batteries correctly

• Turnkey Briggs & Stratton standy generator installation

• Enphase Energy Battery storage installation

• Solar + battery integration

• Hybrid generator + battery designs

Every backup system is custom-built for your home, your appliances, and your outage risk.

Not Sure What System You Need? We Can Help.

Whether you’re choosing a generator, a battery, or a hybrid backup system, Clemens Electric will design the right solution for your home, built for Upstate NY’s weather and your family’s comfort.

Request a backup power assessment
Call Clemens Electric: 518-617-1016
Email: info@clemenselectric.com

Don’t wait for the next storm, prepare with a reliable, right-sized backup system.