picking the right backup for you
How long will it run?
A plain-language guide to picking the right BLUETTI Backup Power and to knowing what to expect once the power goes out.
Sizing your unit
Four things that decide your run time
1. Start with the appliance, not the battery
- Find the make, model, and year on the appliance label.
- Look for watts, or for volts and amps. Volts × amps = watts.
- Better yet, find kWh per year on the yellow EnergyGuide label and divide by 365.
- Compare that daily number to the watt-hours of the BLUETTI you’re considering. That’s your first and best indicator of run time.
2. Where the appliance lives changes everything
- A refrigerator sitting in direct sun works harder and pulls more power.
- A garage or lanai fridge in Hawaii heat can use 20 to 40 percent more energy than the same unit indoors.
- Tight cabinets and blocked vents trap heat, so the compressor runs longer.
3. Age and upkeep matter just as much
- Older appliances use more power. A 15-year-old fridge can draw close to double what a new one does.
- Dirty condenser coils trap heat and force longer compressor cycles.
- Cracked or loose door seals leak cold air 24 hours a day, outage or not.
- A well-maintained appliance is the cheapest run time upgrade you can buy.
4. Setting the right expectation
- Published run times are best-case lab numbers. Real homes are warmer and busier.
- Plan on 20 to 30 percent less than the math says, then be pleasantly surprised.
- Add a solar panel and you can stretch run time by a day or more.
- Keep the doors closed and switch the ice maker off. Small habits buy real hours.
During an outage, run essentials only
- Fridge
- Fans
- Wi‑Fi
- Phones
- Medical devices
Bring us your numbers
Snap a photo of the label on your fridge, freezer, or medical device and bring it in. We’ll run the math with you and match you to the right unit.
Get a recommendationStill not sure what you need?
Tell us what you want to keep running — refrigerator, lighting, Wi‑Fi, fans, medical devices — and how long outages last in your area. We’ll recommend the right unit.
Get a recommendation See the BLUETTI lineup*Estimates only; not a guarantee. Run time depends on your specific refrigerator, including its size, age, location, door use, seal condition, maintenance and condenser coil cleanliness. Plugging in additional devices will reduce run time. RevoluSun provides these estimates as general industry guidance and makes no claim or warranty regarding actual run time. If you store medication or rely on medical equipment, ask us to size a unit with additional backup capacity.
