How do I prepare my home for summer power outages?

If you’re asking this before the next outage, you’re already ahead of most people.

The reality is simple. Most people don’t think about power until it’s gone. The lights cut out, the Wi‑Fi drops, the fridge goes quiet, and suddenly everything stops. That used to be rare. Now, in the summer, it’s becoming normal. Heatwaves, higher demand, and an aging grid mean outages are lasting longer and happening more often.

That makes the question less about reacting and more about being ready.

Here’s the easiest place to start.

If you own a bidirectional EV, or you’re thinking about getting one, you already have a large backup sitting in your driveway. Bidirectional EVs hold far more energy than a typical home battery. The difference is that, with the right setup, that energy doesn’t just sit there.

When the grid goes down, your car can keep your home running. That’s possible because energy can move both ways — what’s known as bidirectional flow. Your fridge stays cold. Your lights come on. Your internet stays connected.

The point is, today's outages can last days, and your home should get through them without you feeling the difference.

How solar, a home battery, and your EV work together

Solar panels give you a way to keep generating power during the day. So when the outage stretches into the next morning, your home doesn’t just rely on stored energy, it starts producing its own again. You’re not waiting for the grid to come back. You’re already moving forward.