Pennsylvania winter outage planner

Ice and snow storms are the outages Pennsylvanians plan for. In January 2026 the PA PUC warned that Winter Storm Fern's extreme cold could strain the grid and natural gas systems. Use this planner to size battery backup for the essentials, then check the safety steps below.

Before the storm (PA PUC checklist)

Save your electric and gas utility's outage hotline and outage-map website. They're on your bill and the PUC website.
Fully charge phones, medical devices and your power station before the storm arrives.
Keep flashlights, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable food and medications ready.
Watch forecasts and utility updates through local news and official alerts.

During the outage

Report the outage to your utility. Don't call 911 to report outages.
Stay away from downed lines, and from puddles or objects touching them. Assume every line is energized.
Use flashlights or battery lanterns, not candles.
Turn off lights and appliances except the fridge and freezer, leave one light on, and wait 15 minutes after power returns before turning everything back on.
Check on elderly neighbors and anyone with medical or mobility needs.

Heat is the hard part

Most gas furnaces can't run without electricity, and their blower is the biggest load in this planner. Read our furnace sizing guide before you count on battery heat. A plug-in space heater (about 1,500 W in Champion's chart) drains a 1 kWh power station in well under an hour, so it isn't a practical outage plan on battery power.

Generators and CO: CPSC says to never run a portable generator indoors, in a garage, basement, shed, crawlspace or on a porch, and to keep it at least 20 feet from the house with the exhaust pointed away. Plug appliances directly into it. Connecting to home wiring needs a transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician; the PA PUC warns that backfeeding can injure utility crews.

Cold-weather battery tips

Store and charge the power station inside the heated part of the house. Charging ranges start at 32°F for the models we've checked.
Anker notes the C1000 Gen 2's fastest charging mode only works above 68°F, so a cold room means slower recharging.
For outages longer than your battery, plan a recharge source: solar panels (short winter days produce less) or a generator run safely outdoors. Compare running costs with the power station vs generator calculator.

FAQ

Who do I call when the power goes out in Pennsylvania?

Report it to your electric utility's outage hotline or online outage system, not 911. The PA PUC says not to assume your utility already knows. Call 911 only for life-threatening situations, such as a downed line creating danger.

Should I unplug things during an outage?

The PA PUC recommends turning off lights and appliances except the refrigerator and freezer, leaving one light on so you know when power returns, and waiting at least 15 minutes after restoration before turning other appliances back on, because power can come back with surges.

Can I charge a power station in an unheated garage in winter?

Check the manufacturer's charging range. EcoFlow lists 32°F to 113°F for the DELTA Pro 3 and Anker lists 32°F to 104°F for the C1000 Gen 2, so charging below freezing is outside spec for both.

Pennsylvania winter outage planner

Power stations that cover it on one charge (cheapest first)

Before the storm (PA PUC checklist)

During the outage

Heat is the hard part

Cold-weather battery tips

FAQ

Sources