Sound Advice: Get charged up for backup power system

Don Lindich, Tribune News Service on Nov 12, 2025

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Q. I have a question regarding your home electricity backup system.

Noting that your Briggs & Stratton QuietPower Q6500 Inverter Generator is not CARB compliant, I am guessing you don't live in California. I do, and would welcome other recommendations.

—R.S., Gilroy, California

A. You are correct that I do not live in California, though I have many readers there and really enjoy corresponding with them. I live in Pittsburgh, and my home power backup system really proved its worth this year. Last spring we were hit with a powerful storm that knocked out power in much of the city and surrounding suburbs. It took a week to restore service in many areas (including my block) and I had the only house on the street with power due to my backup system. It's kind of cool to have the lights on late at night and the TV and stereo working, when the street is pitch black and every other home is dark and quiet. It is also much safer, and none of my refrigerated food perished. That saved a lot of money and avoided a big mess.

As you noted, a system like mine is not available nationwide. It also requires rolling out the generator, locking it with a cable to prevent theft, pull-starting it and switching the home's power source with a manual transfer switch connected to the power panel. I do not cover this topic often, but given what happened last spring and a recent discovery it is time to do so again. I just learned about a battery-powered home backup system that can be used in all 50 states and may also be eligible for a 30% tax credit, which helps offset the purchase and installation costs. (Visit irs.gov/credits-deductions/residential-clean-energy-credit to learn more.) The system is automatic and currently available for under $3,000, about the same as my manual system.

The Mango Power E Home Backup Kit (2* Mango Power E + 1*mPanel Pro) sells for $3,299 and has received positive reviews from end users and major media outlets. The kit includes an automatic transfer switch so when the power goes out, it immediately detects the outage and seamlessly switches to battery power. When power is restored it switches the home back to utility power and recharges the battery. You choose the circuits to be powered, which are typically essentials like the furnace, the kitchen, a few common rooms and the bathrooms and bedrooms. (Running whole-house AC is a big current draw and will quickly deplete the batteries, so use fans instead.) If you chose your circuits wisely the system provides backup power for (hopefully) long enough for power to be restored. End users report it can run a typical apartment for well over a day, so if you limit the system to critical circuits you should be able to keep the heat on, the refrigerator running and have power in several living areas for a comparable amount of time. The system can also be recharged with solar panels, which could potentially keep the power flowing indefinitely.

Such a backup system is typically very expensive, and the current $3,299 price is already extremely attractive. You can get it for $2,799 by using the code NOVSPECIAL at mangopower.com, saving $500. Shipping is free. Your system will only be as good as the installation, and you will need a qualified electrician to install the switch. Labor costs count towards the 30% tax credit, so keep records of labor costs as well. Please note the credit will terminate on Dec. 31, so if interested you may want to act quickly.

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