Homeowner looking for well-water backup power is cautioned about fuel and upkeep expenses

"We otherwise could survive with a wood fireplace and cooking things over a fire if worst came to worst."

After one rural homeowner asked online about backup electricity for a well system, commenters noted that keeping water flowing during an outage can require more planning than simply choosing an inexpensive generator.

They explained that a pump may draw two to three times its normal running power when starting up, making it important to review the equipment’s specifications before purchasing a backup power source.

What to know

In a Reddit discussion, the poster said they had memberships at Costco and Sam’s Club and wanted to keep the price down while buying a budget-friendly generator.

Posting in the r/preppers community, the homeowner said the main goal was to power the well pump, with a refrigerator and freezer also on the wish list if possible. Air conditioning was not a priority.

"We otherwise could survive with a wood fireplace and cooking things over a fire if worst came to worst," the original poster wrote.

One commenter said the person who services the well or pump might be able to provide the needed electrical details. Others noted that the right generator depends on the pump’s voltage, running current and startup demand.

TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight

💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all

Another commenter reminded the homeowner that when a pump or refrigerator starts, the initial surge can be two or three times the actual running wattage.

More background

The discussion also covered oil changes, maintenance and fuel runtime. Commenters said those factors should be compared alongside how long a generator can run before it needs more gasoline or propane.

One suggested using a large storage tank so the system would not need to burn fuel continuously to keep water pressure up. In that setup, the generator could be shut off after the well pump fills the tank.

"Those two WILL NEVER BE ON AT THE SAME TIME," the commenter emphasized.

What can be done?

If a refrigerator or freezer is added to the backup plan, their startup loads also have to be included in the calculation.

Some commenters recommended a generator that can run on both gasoline and propane for added flexibility. Others preferred inverter generators, saying they can vary engine speed to match the load and may help address concerns about fuel use.

One comment suggested pairing a portable battery power station with a small generator that could recharge it when needed, with solar panels added now or later. If sunlight is not enough to recharge the batteries, the homeowner could fall back on generator power.

Before any of that, though, the homeowner would need to know the total power requirement.

"You're just shooting in the dark without that," one user pointed out.

Where can I learn more?

Other homeowners trying to keep well pumps and essential appliances running during outages have faced similar sizing questions.

• A homeowner seeking well-water backup found out that a transfer switch was the starting point.

• A weekend homeowner considering a solar well pump heard advice favoring smaller equipment and storage.

• A homeowner considering a 9,600-watt generator heeded warnings that fuel consumption could complicate outage planning.

• An all-electric homeowner considering a larger backup generator learned why smaller equipment might run longer.