5 Best Backup Generators for Apartments & Condos: Safe, Indoor, Quiet, and More

If you want to power appliances in your apartment or condo, a conventional or gas-guzzling generator might not be suitable for you. This is because these gas-powered generators emit toxic fumes and can harm your health. But that's not the case if you choose a solar backup generator for apartments and condos.

These battery-operated power solutions produce zero emissions and run quietly. They are compact and portable enough to be carried around whenever the need arises. Jackery solar generators for houses are specially designed to supply consistent electricity to appliances during power outages.

In this indoor backup generator guide, we will dive deep into backup generators, how they work, and the best indoor backup generators for apartments and condos.

What is Backup Generator

Backup generators for apartments and condos are ideal charging solutions that provide electricity to appliances during unexpected power outages, brownouts, or blackouts.

The primary aim of the backup battery is to ensure your home devices work without interruption. There are three main types of indoor backup generators for apartments available: gas generators, inverters, and solar power stations.

Let us explore these options below:

Gas: The most common type of backup generator for homes is gas-powered charging solutions. Given the fact that condos and apartments are compact with no backyard or garage, gas generators prove to be less convenient. In addition, they use fossil fuels and emit carbon monoxide, making them less reliable for indoor usage.

Inverter: These battery-powered power backup solutions are generally connected to the electrical outlet of the apartment. They store power when the electricity grid is functioning properly and supply when the main grid is down. One drawback of using an inverter to charge all home appliances is its low capacity. You might not be able to power your entire home using an average-size inverter.

Solar: Unlike gas generators and inverters, solar-powered generators for houses use the sun's energy to charge apartment appliances. They are eco-friendly, as they do not use fossil fuels or emit harmful toxins. These portable solar generators for indoor usage are also helpful in powering critical appliances like CPAP machines.

Jackery Solar Generators for houses are compact, safe, and clean powering solutions. You can connect the Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations to the SolarSaga Solar Panels for efficient and quick charging. One unique part about these solar generators is that they operate silently under 40 dB, making them ideal for charging appliances at night.

How Does Jackery Work As Backup Generator for Apartment?

Many homeowners often ask, “Can you use a generator in an apartment?” The short answer is yes. Solar generators are ideal charging solutions for apartments, condos, and homes.

Jackery is one of the leading solar brand manufacturers, helping homeowners with portable power stations and solar panels. You can connect the solar panels and power station using the solar charging cable.

Best Backup Generator for Apartments & Condos

Choosing an indoor battery backup generator for an apartment or condo depends significantly on your power needs. In this section, we will reveal the average power required by an apartment or condo and the best solar generators that can meet your needs.

Apartment & Condo Power Required

The average one and two-bedroom apartment or condo typically uses 10kWh to 30kWh of energy per day. However, the exact figure varies greatly depending on the size and age of the apartment, the number of appliances, and lifestyle habits.

For instance, an older apartment or condo with large living areas and single-glazed windows will likely consume more power than a newer, smaller home with double-glazing. Below we have curated a list of some common apartment or condo appliances and their power requirements.

Kitchen

Appliance	Watts	Use Time/Day	Total Power
Dishwasher	1200 watts	1 hour	1200 Wh
Microwave	1150 watts	1 hour	1150 Wh
Coffee Maker	800 watts	0.5 hours	400 Wh
Refrigerator	300 watts	5 hours	1500 Wh
Ice Machine	100 watts	5 hours	500 Wh
Blender	300 watts	0.5 hours	150 Wh

Living Room

Appliance	Watts	Use Time/Day	Total Power
Laptop	100 watts	2 hours	200 Wh
TV	100 watts	3 hours	300 Wh
Computer	70 watts	4 hours	280 Wh
Lights	50 watts	5 hours	250 Wh
Heater	500 watts	2 hours	1000 Wh

Others

Appliance	Watts	Use Time/Day	Total Power
Window Air Conditioner	1000 watts	3 hours	3000 Wh
Heating Furnace	340 watts	2 hours	680 Wh
Washing Machines	850 watts	0.5 hours	425 Wh
CPAP Machines	60 watts	8 hours	480 Wh
Air Purifier	50 watts	4 hours	200 Wh
Hair Dryer	800 watts	1 hour	800 Wh

Best 5 Backup Generators for Apartments from Jackery

Now that you know a solar backup generator is a reliable option to charge appliances in an apartment, you might feel the rush to purchase one. To help you make an informed choice, we have curated a list of the best battery backup generators for closed spaces like apartments. Depending on the size of your apartment, electricity demand, and budget, you can pick the one from the below-mentioned list.

Best Large Apartment Backup Apartment Generator – Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is an expandable power station version suitable for versatile scenarios. With the help of additional battery packs, you can expand its capacity from 2kWh to 24kWh. Hence, this makes the indoor battery backup generator suitable for large apartments. It features an outstanding LiFePO4 battery that provides power to heavy-duty devices up to 6000W.

Note: Data for reference only. Actual performance may vary.

Best Indoor Backup Generator for Apartment – Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro

With a battery capacity of 2160Wh, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro is ideal for powering medium-sized appliances. You can recharge the indoor backup generator for apartments using 6*Jackery SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels in 2.5 hours. Furthermore, the portable power solution can efficiently power 96% of home appliances, making it an ideal indoor battery backup for power outages during storms or when electricity is down.

Customer Review

"Bay Area storm knocked out our power. Almost 24 hours, and it's still powering our fridge, charging our laptops, plus various other items on a single charge. It's so portable I can move it around the house if I need it; I kinda want another one now, lol. Also, zero sound, which is nice since I have twin 6-month-olds" — JJ.

Best Backup Generator for Condo – Jackery Solar Generator 1500 Pro

Jackery Solar Generator 1500 Pro supplies extreme power to 95% of home appliances. It is 20% lighter than other solar batteries of similar capacities, making it an ideal backup generator for condos. The portable power station features a safe BMS technology to safely charge electrical devices of all kinds. Furthermore, the Jackery Explorer 1500 Pro is easy to use as it features a plug-and-play function. You can start the generator by simply pressing the button on the power station.

Customer Review

"They are perfect to run indoors to back up refrigerators and fans if the power is out and give you all the power you need in the backwoods to charge batteries and phones. I highly recommend them as a way to be worry-free in the backcountry or if there is a power outage." — Joshua O'Neill.

Best Small Backup Generator for Apartment – Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro

Those looking for a small backup generator for apartments can consider choosing Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro. The small-size backup power station can power 93% of your appliances efficiently. The multiple output ports available can help you power various apartment appliances efficiently. Regarded as more than the fast solar generator, Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro can be charged within 1.8 hours using 6*SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels.

Customer Review

"I purchased this power station after Hurricane Ian and lost power for 3 days. This power station is the perfect answer for emergency power that can be used inside during a storm (instead of a gas-powered generator that can't be used until after a storm has passed). I am comforted that I will be prepared if and when another Hurricane or storm comes to Florida." — FL Girl.

Let us compare different Jackery Explorer Portable Power Stations suitable for apartments and condos.

Series	Capacity	Apartment Average Power Used Daily	Generator Running Time (Suppose you charge appliances of 1000 watts)	Running Sound (dB) 1 Meter away
Jackery Explorer 1000 Pro Portable Power Station	1002Wh	10-30kWh	51 min	30 dB level noise which is quieter than a library.
Jackery Explorer 1500 Pro Portable Power Station	1512Wh	10-30kWh	1.2H	46 dB quiet solar energy, the same as that of a refrigerator.
Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro Portable Power Station	2160Wh	10-30kWh	1.8H	30 dB level noise that resembles a whisper.
Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station	2042.8Wh	10-30kWh	1.7H	30 dB noise level, which is less than the library level volume.

These portable power stations can be easily recharged using Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels. This will give you peace of mind that you have a consistent electricity supply during off-grid living and power outages for small and large apartments.

How to Choose the Best Backup Generator for Apartment & Condo?

When it comes to choosing the best backup generators for apartments and condos, it's essential to understand that you should not use traditional gas generators in an enclosed space. Even though they are common emergency power solutions, they require propane or other fuel types.

With that in mind, solar-powered generators have become a suitable choice for general indoor use. These portable power stations act as emergency power sources for low and high-power-consuming appliances such as AC units, refrigerators, and even CPAP machines.

However, there are different power stations and solar generators available, making it hard for you to choose the best backup solution. Below we will reveal essential factors one must consider while investing in a solar backup generator for apartments.

Capacity

While selecting the portable power station, you must ensure that the battery capacity exceeds your minimum power requirements.

For instance, if you wish to power a few smaller devices like laptops, cell phones, coffee makers, etc., you can consider a medium-capacity battery like Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Pro with a battery capacity of 1002Wh.

However, if you are looking to power some heavy-duty tools and home appliances, Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is a reliable indoor power generator for use in an apartment. It has a battery capacity of 3024Wh and can charge 99% of your home appliances.

Safe & Clean

Battery-powered generators are ideal indoor generators compared to their fossil fuel-powered counterparts. Their practicality and safety make them a perfect solution for apartments and condos.

Jackery product line includes safe and eco-friendly power solutions for all homeowners. The portable power stations can be recharged using solar panels, ensuring a clean power supply to several devices.

In addition, they feature an intelligent BMS system to offer 12 layers of protection while charging devices. In short, when you choose a solar generator, you make a positive impact on the environment and get access to clean power.

Quiet

Unlike gas generators that make noise during operation, solar generators produce little to no sound. Jackery Solar Generators for apartments produce minimal noise of 30 dB while charging devices like laptops, refrigerators, CPAP machines, etc.

Additionally, the portable power stations have a brilliant all-in-one design that integrates a battery, solar controller, and inverter. Hence, they are compact solar generators suitable for small spaces.

Input/Output Ports

The feature-rich battery-powered generators typically have multiple input and output ports. Jackery Solar Generators have three input ports, including solar panels, a carport, and a wall outlet. When you are out enjoying your outdoor adventures, you can charge these generators using solar panels.

Alternatively, it offers wall outlets and carport charging solutions to ensure consistent charging during no-sunlight days. Besides input ports, Jackery power stations have multiple output ports. You can charge several appliances simultaneously without worrying about electricity interruption.

Easy to Move Around

An indoor backup generator for apartments must be portable to charge all appliances efficiently. It should be easy to move around with minimal effort. If you are confused about which battery backups to choose, you may consider Jackery Solar Generators. These power solutions are designed keeping portability in mind.

The power stations have ergonomic handles and wheels for easy and quick portability. Additionally, Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels are foldable and portable, making them easy to move from one place to another.

Price

Before you go shopping for backup apartment generators, it is vital to set a budget. This will help you eliminate overspending and ensure you get the best generator for your needs and budget. Jackery offers various power stations, solar panels, and solar generators. Regardless of your power needs, you will find the ideal power station for your needs.

For instance, if you want to choose a low-power generator for your small appliances, you can check the portable and affordable Jackery Solar Generator 500 or 1000 Pro. On the other hand, Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro or 3000 Pro are ideal for charging most home appliances. Understanding your power needs and setting a budget beforehand is the ultimate way to pick the best solar generator.

Long Battery Life

Long battery life is an important factor to consider when selecting a backup generator for your apartment. Typically, backup generators are designed to last for a few years to 5 years. However, some generators, such as the Jackery Solar Generators, have significantly longer battery life.

For example, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus will retain 70% of its battery capacity even after 4,000 charge cycles. This means that it can provide reliable power for many years to come. The lithium-ion and LiFePO4 batteries used in Jackery power stations typically have a longer lifespan, ensuring you can rest assured for several years.

FAQs About Backup Generators for Condos/Apartments

What are the disadvantages of backup generators?

Gas backup apartment generators produce carbon dioxide, carbon oxide, etc., making them unsuitable for closed spaces like apartments or condos. Furthermore, they are costly, as they depend on fuel supply. You'll need enough propane or connect the gas generator to your natural gas line for continuous electricity supply.

If you want to choose a charging solution that emits no fumes and is suitable for indoor usage, consider investing in solar-powered battery backups. These solar generators use solar panels to recharge and supply electricity to all the appliances. Therefore, these solar power solutions prove to be more affordable than gas generators in the long run.

What size backup generator do I need for my home?

The backup generator size will depend on the total power consumption of the apartment and the devices you wish to charge with the generator. Here is an example to understand better:

Suppose you want to charge appliances that consume 1500 watts with Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus.

Working Time = Capacity in Wh * 0.85 / Operating wattage of the device = 2042.8Wh * 0.85 / 1500 = 1.1 Hours.

You can add 5 Jackery Battery Pack 2000 Plus to each Explorer 2000 Plus to further expand its battery capacity and charge appliances longer.

What is the best backup power generator?

Solar battery-powered generators are suitable for charging appliances in homes, apartments, or condos. Jackery Solar Generators combine Explorer Portable Power Stations and SolarSaga Solar Panels to supply electricity to all electrical devices. Since they do not use any fossil fuels, these battery-powered generators are known to emit zero fumes or toxic gases.

Conclusion

Living without power when heavy rainfalls or thunderstorms knock out the electricity is never fun. Investing in a solar power station is suitable to power all types of appliances. The size of a power station or solar generator will depend on the wattage consumption of devices.

Jackery offers backup generators for apartments and condos in different sizes and capacities. While Jackery Solar Generator 1500 Pro is a portable charging solution for medium-sized apartments, the large and expandable Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus can efficiently power 99% of home appliances.

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