Emergency Backup Power Systems
Heather Sullivan
WSPA NewsChannel 7
Thursday, September 29, 2005

Click here to go to WSPA to see the original story.

When storms strike, like those from hurricanes Ophelia, Katrina, and Rita, we can lose power. Many people flip on power generators. A Flat Rock company has just launched a new back up power unit that can run on solar power... and you can keep it inside the house. We checked it out in this "Does it work?"

When the power goes out, something as simple as making coffee becomes nearly impossible. Cindylou Baird of Intelligently Designed Electric Applications and her husband invented the Bright Backup Power Unit. You charge it up by plugging it into the wall, or plugging it into the sun through a solar panel.

Said Cindylou Baird of the solar panel, "You just take it and set it outside so it's in the sunlight and the sun will recharge the unit."

Each Bright Backup Power Unit can keep several appliances running for about 20 hours.

Said Baird, unplugging the unit's power source, "See, it just barely flicked. Everything is still running right now, it's running off the battery."

Tucked inside a wood cabinet, you keep them indoors. Unlike generators, they need no gasoline, there are no fumes, and there's no noise.

We tested one to see how it works. A TV was plugged into a Bright Backup Power Unit and when we unplugged the unit's power source, the tv stayed on without even flickering.

We went to the Home Depot to compare them to generators. Generators run on gasoline and can power several appliances for about 8 hours.

Said Jim Elliott of the Home Depot, "This one would run the lighting, the refridgeration, a furnace to keep the house warm, of course."

You can even install large generators that run on natural gas.

Said Elliott, "That would operate ten circuits in your house, we have one up in the front that's 15,000 watts. ... Pretty much the whole house."

When the power goes out at the Baird house, even an important appliance doesn't miss a beat.

Said Baird, "It will not lose the time on your VCR, which for a lot of people it's well worth twice the price. You don't have to reprogram your VCR!"

So let's talk price. Fuel-based generators at Home Depot ranged from $500 dollars to $2700.

Bright Backup Power Units range in price from about $800 dollars to $4800, depending on how much power you want. You can order one through their website... Designsbyidea.com.

Whether you buy a generator or a back up power unit, experts recommend you have an electrician help you determine how much power you need, install and use it properly.

Click here to go to WSPA to see the original story.