In this day and age, we rely on electricity for so many aspects of our daily lives. Even just sticking with the absolute essentials like a radio or a light, we need some kind of power to keep them running. For most of us, getting power is as simple as plugging into a wall outlet. Others living off-the-grid need to get a little more creative. Just because we have access to electricity in our houses doesn’t mean we can rely completely on it, or even want to rely on it i.e. pay for it. In this article, we’re talking about generating your own electricity at home and some must-know methods to do it….and when we say home, that can include living in a tent, RV or remote cabin! Let’s get started.
Table Of Contents
Click To Jump Ahead
- Why Generate Our Own Power?
- Fuel-Powered Generators
- Solar Power
- Wind Power
- Human-Powered Electricity
- Power Through Fire
- Portable Battery Sources
Why Should We Generate Our Own Power?
There are many different reasons for wanting to generate your own electricity at home, on the go, in nature, etc. There are also many different levels of power you can generate – anything from powering something small to providing enough electricity for your entire house are included!
Here are a few examples.
When The Power Goes Out…
First off, power goes out. Check out Wikipedia’s list of power outages over the past several decades. These are all significant unplanned outages that have each affected 1,000 people or more. Many outages last days or even weeks when severe weather hits!
Electricity Is Expensive!
Electricity is also expensive. According to SmartAsset, the average monthly electric bill is over $111, as of 2017 – it’s probably a bit higher now. That’s about $1,332 per year. Again, this is average and varies by time of year, home size and many other factors. A family-sized home in the summer – when A/C is full-blast – can cost 2x, 3x or even 4x the average monthly price depending on time of year!
Going Green With Power…
Ever wonder how electricity is produced? There are many ways, depending on where you live. Methods of producing grid-based electricity for homes, businesses, etc. include:
- Combustion – Burning Coal Or Fossil Fuels
- Steam – Burning Fuel To Power Boilers That Produce Electricity
- Reactors – Producing Nuclear Power
- Hydroelectric – Using The Energy Of Dams & Waves
- Wind Power – Windmills, Etc.
- Solar – Producing Energy Through Sunlight
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, about 85% of electricity comes from either combustion or steam sources, which can be highly pollutive. If you’re interested in generating your own electricity, you may want to do so in the interest of using green energy.
Off-The-Grid Electricity
The term “off-the-grid” is used to describe anyone living in remote locations or on the go, but by definition, it quite literally refers to living off the electric grid. For those looking to live off the grid, they’re looking to get electricity through their own means.
Power In Case Of Emergency…
Lastly, generating your own power can be necessary in emergency situations. If you’re in the woods or your car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, it’s obvious why you may need some electricity to save yourself!
There are a host of other reasons why you could be interested in generating your own electricity, but these are some common ones.
Generating Your Own Electricity At Home: A Few Must-Know Methods
Now that we’ve covered why people want or need to generate their own power, let’s get into how you can do it:
- Fuel-Powered Generators
- Solar Power Sources
- Wind Turbines At Home
- Generate Power Through Your Own Effort
- Power Through Fire
- Portable Battery Stations
Below is a bit more information about each of these methods.
Quick Disclaimer: We link to products that are mentioned in the context of this article. That said, we encourage you to shop around and compare prices, other models, etc. before making a purchase. Links to products is secondary to the information we are providing, which will always be free! Refer to our legal disclaimer at the bottom of this page for more info.
1. Fuel-Powered Generators Are A Great Backup Source Of Electricity
When interested in generating your own electricity, you’re probably thinking of generating power for general, everyday living. Most people turn to fuel-powered generators for this purpose, albeit in the event that power goes out or there’s an emergency for most.
They’re simple. Just fill up the tank with fuel, start it up and plug in just like a normal power outlet.
Not all fuel-powered generators are created equal. In fact, there’s a huge amount of variation in types of generator models out there!
Before we go over generator types, here are some things to consider when shopping for a generator:
- What are your power requirements? If you’re looking to power an entire house, the generator must be considerably more powerful than if you want to occasionally run lights in your backyard. It’ll also be larger and use up a lot more fuel. Which brings us to…
- What’s the cost of fuel? The more expensive fuel like gas or diesel is per gallon, the less cost-effective a generator becomes.
- Do you need a portable generator? If you will use your generator occasionally for small stuff, a portable generator is best. If you’re looking to power your entire home – and ONLY your home – you’re better off with a ‘standby generator’.
Let’s break it down into three categories, from small to large:
- Lightweight, portable gas-powered generators
- Large, semi-portable fuel-powered generators
- Large, “stand-by” (fixed location) fuel-powered generators
Lightweight, Portable Fuel Powered Generators
A lightweight, portable gas-powered generator is best for several hours of light-to-moderate usage. This includes things like:
- Charging a cellphone or computer
- Plugging in small power tools
- Lighting, entertainment systems
- Running a small air conditioning unit
- Great for occasional (safe) use of a spare room, shed or barn
3100-Watt Portable Inverter Generator by Champion
Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars – 405 reviews at time of writing
This 3100-Watt Portable Inverter Generator by Champion is built specifically for those in the RV community, but is a good fit for anyone in need of power for a few hours.
Here are a few things to know about this model:
- Up to 8 hours of run time (at 25% capacity)
- 1.6-gal / 6.0 liter gas tank
- Features three 120v outlets: (1) 30 amp & (2) 20 amp
- Economy mode for lower idle / longer run time
- Includes 120v DC battery charging cables
This Champion Generator is not exactly cheap, but that’s certainly cheaper than paying an electrician to run wiring to a space that’s occasionally used like a shed, barn or open land.
Large, Portable Fuel-Powered Generators
When it comes to fuel-powered generators, there’s an inverse relationship between capacity – how much power it generates – and portability. Said another way, the more power you get out of a generator, the larger and less portable they become!
That said, a large generator can still be portable. While large generators are often upwards of 200 pounds, they can easily power the essentials in your home for a meaningful period of time during a power outage. Here are some typical uses of a large portable generator:
- Plug in essentials like lights, chargers and appliances
- Keep a refrigerator running to avoid food spoiling
- Run electric heaters and air conditioning units (even central A/C)
- Run fans, wells, pumps, medical equipment and other motorized devices in the event of flooding or emergencies
- Best for keeping essential electronic devices and appliances functioning during emergencies, outages and storms
DuroStar DS12000EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator – 12,000 Watts
Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars – 1,165 reviews at time of writing
The DuroStar DS12000EH 12,000 Watt Generator is the ideal generator to rely on when the occasional outage or emergency strikes. Here are some key features:
- 8.3 gal / 31.4 liter tank runs for around 8 hours at 50% usage capacity
- Keyed electric start (no rip-start required)
- Runs on both gasoline and propane, depending on which is cheaper or more available
- Wheels & handles allow 228-lb unit to be moved fairly easily
- Run 120v and 240v outlets simultaneously. Many appliances require at lease 220v, such as ovens, refrigerators and A/Cs
- Several outlets: (1) 120v/240v at 50-amps, (1) 120v/240v twist-lock at 30-amps, (1) 120v twist-lock at 30-amps & (2) 120v standard outlets at 20-amps
The DS12000EH generator by DuroStar will cost over $1,000, so it’s a large expense. When you consider what you get out of it, the cost begins to make more sense. These generators last for many years and can legitimately keep your house powered up like normal. Generating your own electricity becomes easy with a generator of this size. When you consider the costs of losing perishable food or the consequences of not being able to run essential equipment like well pumps, sump pumps (flooding), heaters or medical devices, the cost per year of a generator is reasonable – it just requires a fair-sized purchase up front.
Note – DuroStar makes this generator in several sizes and multiple price points, ranging from 4,400 watts ($450) to 12,000 watts ($1,200).
Stand-By Generators For Home
A stand-by generator will legitimately power your home exactly like a standard power service will. In fact, you likely won’t notice any difference in terms of habits or lifestyle when this generator kicks on.
A stand-by generator is what’s considered an ‘auxiliary power source‘. It’s hard-wired to your house and provides power to your normal wall outlets and appliances – no need to plug into the generator directly.
In turn, a stand-by generator stays put – it’s essentially part of the house. They often sit outside next to your home the same way a central air conditioning unit does. If you’re looking for a generator that can be transported, you’re better off with one of the two types described earlier.
Here are some benefits to having a stand-by generator at home:
- Hard-wired into your home (requires electrician to install)
- Lines for LP / natural gas can be connected directly – no need to refill a tank
- Many models can be monitored and controlled via mobile app
- Power your home continuously
In fairness, here are some drawbacks to be aware of, too:
- Stand-by generators are significantly more expensive than other more portable models. Think $2,300-$10,000 for stand-by models (not including installation costs) vs. $500-$1,200 for portable models.
- On a similar note, many stand-by generators put out the same wattage (power) as portable models, except you’ll need to routinely fill up a portable model.
- As said before, stand-by models are not easily portable – they’re essentially fixed in place.
- Stand-by generators require professional installation.
Generac 7043 Home Standby Generator – Air-Cooled, 22,000 Watts + Transfer Switch
Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars – 31 reviews at time of writing
Generac is the most well-known and popular maker of standby and ‘whole-house’ generators on the market. Many businesses and commercial properties rely on generators like these to keep their power running at all times.
We recommend the Generac 7043 with these particular features for the following reasons:
- This generator, at 22,000 watts, has more than enough power to keep most houses running smoothly.
- This model comes with a transfer switch, which aut0-regulates when the generator kicks on and turns off based on what your primary source of electricity does – if your power goes off, the standby model kicks on automatically.
- Generac provides 24/7/365 support should anything go wrong.
- Each model includes a five-year limited warranty.
This particular model, including the transfer switch, costs about $5,000 – certainly expensive for nearly all of us. A price this high can be intimidating, but here are a few things to consider:
- This model is 22,000 watts, but there are several smaller models available for a lesser price – as low as $2,000.
- With a direct connection to natural gas or liquid propane (LP), you effectively don’t need to connect to an electric grid to fully power your home. This will not be as cheap as most electric service providers, but…
- A standby generator is the most reliable way to fully power your home in the event of an outage.
A standby ‘whole-house’ generator is a major purchase – we highly recommend evaluating your needs, understanding your budget and shopping around before making a decision!
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2. Solar Power Is Easier To Get Than Ever, On Many Levels
Solar panels used to be reserved for the rooftop of some scientist, tech-savvy neighbor a mere 30 or so years ago. Nowadays, hundreds of various products rely on solar power to keep them running!
The benefits of solar have always been there – it’s only recently the cost of this technology has become affordable enough for the majority of us to afford it. Here are a few benefits:
- Somewhat obvious, but the sun is always there to provide power, making it an ultra-renewable resource. Even on cloudy days, solar panels absorb some energy.
- While in use, solar panels produce no harmful emissions to the environment, making it a green, energy-efficient resource.
- There are many varieties or solar energy products on the market, so it’s easy to pick a product that suits your needs.
- Many solar products are portable and easy to manage yourself.
Let’s go through a few different ways of generating your own electricity at home using solar power.
Handheld Solar Charging
At this point, I think everyone has either seen these in person or has seen a commercial of one. If not, check out the solar power bank.
Solar power banks are about the size of a smartphone. Ironically, they’re mostly used to charge phones. Simply charge it by putting it in sunlight and you’ll be able to charge up your smartphone or other small electronics with it.
25,000mAh Battery Solar Power Bank by GoerTek
Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars – 2,670 reviews at time of writing
This particular solar power bank by GoerTek has a few notable benefits:
- Three USB ports allow you to charge up to three devices at once.
- 25,000 mAh capacity allows you to charge a smartphone several times on a single charge of the power bank.
- Charge this device with sunlight or traditional plug.
- 36 LED lights are built in, which let this power bank double as a powerful night light.
Portable Solar Power Stations
Solar power systems are complex in design, but are easy to understand in terms of how you use them. The solar panel absorbs sunlight, which then transfers the sun’s energy through the panel and into a battery. This battery is what gives you power.
In modern times, we can buy an entire setup like this for a few hundred dollars to power many electronics.
Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 240
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars – 1,540 reviews at time of writing
Jackery SolarSaga 60W Foldable Solar Panel for Explorer 160/240/500
Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars – 245 reviews at time of writing
Jackery manufacturers a variety of solar-based energy products, such as panels, power banks and the like. The Explorer Power Station 240 can be charged via wall outlet or car charger. Once charged, it can power any electronic device that requires 200 watts or less, such as:
- Charge a smartphone up to 24 times on a single charge of station
- Charge a laptop 3-4 times
- Power devices like small fans, TVs, radios, small lights, drones, etc.
Jackery makes several models, ranging from 160-watt (around $100) up to 1,000-watt (about $1,000).
The Explorer 240 features (1) 110v AC outlet and (2) USB ports. It’s also adaptable to be charged using Jackery’s 60W Foldable SolarSaga Panel, meaning you can recharge this device with just a solar panel!
The combination of Jackery’s Power Station & SolarSaga Panels make generating your own electricity at home simple for many practical purposes.
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Interested In Rooftop Solar Panels?
If you’re thinking about installing solar panels on your home as a primary source of energy, check out this list of the best solar panels on the market (via EnergySage).
If you’re feeling ambitious and want to tackle a solar installation at home, you can check out these DIY solar panel kits on Amazon, too!
Read Next: How Can We Save Energy At Home? Here Are 10 Simple Habits
3. Generating Power Through The Power Of Wind
Much like solar panels, it’s easy to see why wind power has appeal – it’s completely renewable and never going to stop!
You’ve most likely seen a windmill in your region. Many businesses have elected to use them to either supplement or completely power their facilities.
On larger scales, wind farms (via Wikipedia) have become more commonplace too. The Gansu Wind Farm in China is presently the largest wind farm in the world (via Forbes) at 8,000 Megawatts, or 8 Gigawatts – that’s about 8 BILLION watts. In America, the largest is the Alta Wind Energy Center in California.
While much less common, you can build your own windmill at home as a means of generating your own electricity. Energy.gov has a lot of information about using a windmill at home to provide electricity.
There are a few things to be aware of that you’ll need in addition to a windmill turbine in terms of generating your own electricity.
Here’s a great resource from WINDExchange (Part of Energy.gov) to reference, which includes a diagram of these key components.
First, you’ll need a battery bank that the windmill turbine will send power to for storage, so you can use the electricity when you want it. Note – the battery bank must correspond to the wind turbine you choose i.e. a 24v battery bank for a 24v turbine. Many use (2) x 12v battery banks in series to accomplish this. Here is an example of a 12v batter bank:
WindyNation 100 Amp-Hour 100AH 12V Batteries
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars – 96 reviews at time of writing
You’ll need an inverter for converting the windmill turbine’s direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity for use with appliances, etc that require it, if that’s your intention. Here is an example:
3000W Power Inverter / 24V DC Voltage Converter
Rated 4 out of 5 stars – 54 reviews & $389.99 at time of writing
If you plan on using your windmill to supplement your on-the-grid power setup, you’ll want to get a transfer switch. Much like the transfer switch discussed in the standby generator section above, a transfer switch will re-engage your grid power when the battery level (powered by your windmill turbine) gets too low without downtime. In other words, your refrigerator, lighting and other electronic devices won’t turn off when the battery runs out – they’ll seamlessly stay on as your power source is automatically switched.
Dual Power Controller – 50A, 5500 Watt Automatic Transfer Switch by MOES
Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars – 150 reviews & $119.00 at time of writing
You’ll also need some form of circuit board, outlets, etc. to actually plug devices into, control the circuits and the like, unless you get an inverter that features outlets like the model shown above. These will be powered by the battery directly or through the inverter, depending on the usage.
Another thing you’ll need is some kind of mount for your windmill, which varies based on the model you choose. This can include a roof-mount, freestanding tower, etc.
We will write more about an entire off-the-grid system in later posts. In the meantime, here are a few home windmill turbines if you’d like to take on this project. We only link to models with at least a 4-star rating and have some customer reviews.
Just a friendly reminder – these windmill turbines are merely a component within a larger power system – you’ll need the other items described above to make it all work!
1000W (24v) Wind Turbine Generator Kit by Tumo-Int
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars – 5 reviews & $999.00 at time of writing
400W Wind Turbine Generator + 195W Monocrystalline Solar Panel by Eco-Worthy
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars – 7 reviews at time of writing
400W, 12v Wind Turbine Generator by YaeMarine
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars – 2 reviews & $163.99 at time of writing
If you’d like to learn more, here are some books and guides about generating your own electricity using a windmill:
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4. Convert Your Own Energy Into Electricity
When you think of generating your own electricity through exercise, you probably picture a hamster running in a special wheel, or a mad scientist peddling a stationary bike like crazy in front of a giant battery.
While that’s not exactly parallel with reality, some of it isn’t that far off! Here are a few ways you can generate your own electricity through exercise.
If you have a stationary bike and a love for DIY projects, this one’s for you. You can retrofit your stationary bike to include a generator. That’s right, if you have a 24-60v battery at home – whether it be part of a machine or a stand-alone unit powering your house – you can charge it while riding your stationary bike. Check it out below:
Self-Generating Electricity – Upright Cycle 800w Generator by L-Faster
Want to charge your phone “manually”? You can actually buy a hand-crank device for generating your own electricity on the fly. This can be a great option when camping or to keep in your car in the event of an emergency.
Solar Crank NOAA Weather Radio for Emergency & 2,000mAh Powerbank by RunningSnail
Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars – 2,444 reviews at time of writing
If you want the opposite of a hand-crank generator, you can opt for a foot-crank pedal generator instead. When emergency strikes or if you just want to charge a small battery-powered device, check out this foot-powered generator.
20-Watt Lightweight, Portable Pedal Generator by K-Tor
Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars – 6 reviews at time of writing
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5. Generate Electricity Through Fire
“Trial by fire” is a great expression, but it also has a real-world application. When it comes to generating your own electricity at home, you can use the power of good old fire to your advantage.
Here are some fire-powered generators that help you produce electricity at home during an emergency (or for fun), while camping or many other applications. Plus, cook & stay warm at the same time!
Campstove 2 Wood Burning Electricity Generating & USB Charging Camp Stove by BioLite
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars – 867 reviews & $149.95 at time of writing
Here are some benefits you’ll enjoy with the Campstove 2:
- Smart LED Dashboard Monitors Fire Strength 7 Power Output
- Excess Power Gets Stored In The 2,600mAh Battery For Later Use
- Lightweight (About 2-Lbs) & Portable
- Cook While You Charge
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6. Portable Battery Stations Are Easy & Straightforward To Use
We’ve covered some pretty creative methods for generating your own electricity so far. Sometimes, though, the simple solution is the best solution.
A great way to get some power on the go is by using a battery-powered generator. These devices charge in a normal wall outlet at home and in turn provide hours of electricity. Use them at home, in the backyard, during an emergency, on a day trip in nature, hiking or anywhere else you feel like it. The battery-powered generator is probably the most simple, versatile and cost-effective option for generating your own electricity!
Here are a few top-rated models to choose from:
250-Watt Portable Generator Rechargeable Lithium Battery Pack by Rockpals
Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars – 525 reviews at time of writing
Here are a few key features of Rockpal’s 250-Watt generator:
- Weighs only 5.5-lbs
- Charges smartphone up to 25 times
- Charges laptop 2-3 times
- Power a 32″ TV for 2-3 hours
- Features AC output to run small appliances
120-Watt Portable Lithium Ion Power Station by Nexpow
Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars – 395 reviews at time of writing
Here are a few key features of Nexpow’s 120-Watt generator:
- Weighs only 3.1-lbs
- Extremely portable at 9″x3″x4″
- Two USB ports for charging phones, batteries and small appliances
- Charge MacBook using USB-C port
- Hours of convenient power
- Built-in LED light
- Register your device for 24 month coverage
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Generating Your Own Electricity: In Summary
We hope this article has provided you with all the information you came here looking for. As you can see, there are many different ways to get power at home without the use of traditional on-the-grid methods. Whichever method works best for you, we’re confident that you’ll be generating your own electricity in no time! Thanks a lot for reading.