{
  "id": 7840661,
  "title": "I recommend you don’t run these appliances on your power station – even if you can",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/16/i-recommend-you-dont-run-these-appliances-on-your-power-station-even",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-16T17:44:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ZDNet",
    "slug": "zdnet",
    "url": "https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/do-not-run-these-appliances-on-power-stations/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When considering using power stations for household appliances during outages, it's essential to know which devices to avoid or use sparingly. While modern large power stations can power dryers, heat pumps, and EV chargers, some appliances should not be operated on them due to their high energy consumption. Examples include electric water heaters, space heaters, and ovens. These devices can deplete the stored energy in the power station quickly, making the backup power system less effective during prolonged outages.\n\nInstead, it is recommended to keep essential devices connected to the power station at all times to prevent power interruptions. These include a modem and router to maintain internet connectivity, especially for remote workers, a refrigerator to preserve food, and security cameras and systems. Prioritization is crucial when planning an emergency power outage plan, so focus on keeping the most critical devices running.\n\nIt's also essential to monitor real-time energy consumption, particularly if using smart systems. While heat-producing appliances like space heaters can be used with compatible wattage power stations, they can quickly drain the battery. For instance, a space heater consuming 1,500W can exhaust a 2,000W power station in just 80 minutes or less, which is impractical during long power outages. Therefore, it's advisable to use heat-producing devices connected to a power station on an as-needed basis.",
  "summary": "Using a power station for backup is ideal, but not with these appliances.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}