SELF-RELIANCE · ENERGY
Two tracks. One for the next time the lights go out. One for building energy independence that lasts longer than any outage.
WHEN THE POWER GOES OUT
Most outages last a few hours. Some run for days. A few stretch into weeks. These guides cover every scenario, from the first minute without power to managing heat and cold when the grid stays down.
Hour-by-hour protocol for the first day, the first week, and a prolonged outage. Covers refrigerator management, medical devices, communication, security, and water. Printable.
Flashlights, headlamps, lanterns, and solar lights. What to buy, what to skip, and why candles are a last resort, not a first one.
Power banks, rechargeable batteries, battery stations, and UPS systems. Includes guidance on powering medical devices and keeping routers online.
Portable, inverter, and whole-house generators. Fuel storage, transfer switches, and the carbon monoxide safety rules that are non-negotiable.
What a small solar setup can actually power during an outage, and what it cannot. From a $30 phone charger through a portable panel-and-battery system.
Safe indoor heat sources, layering strategy, sleeping warm in a cold house, fireplace and propane safety, and the CO alarm rules that matter most.
Heat illness prevention, shade and ventilation strategies, cooling rooms without AC, battery fans, and how to find community cooling centers.
Affiliate disclosure: New World Survival earns a small commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. We only recommend gear we'd put in our own kit.
BUILD YOUR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE
The long-game guides. Practical projects that reduce what your household depends on from the outside and expand what you can do for yourself, every day, not just during outages.
The most versatile first step for most households. What to buy, what they reliably run, and how they fit into a larger energy plan.
A starter solar system most households can install in a weekend. Panel, charge controller, battery, wiring, and what the completed system powers.
What to understand before calling an installer. System sizing, battery backup vs. grid-tie, incentives, and the questions worth asking every quote.
Wood stoves and fireplace inserts. Installation requirements, fuel storage, chimney maintenance, and realistic heat output by stove size.
Tanks, appliances, safe storage, and the math on how long a tank lasts. Propane as a backup fuel for cooking and supplemental heat.
Shade, airflow, thermal mass, and insulation upgrades that reduce grid dependency year-round, not just when the power is out.
Solar path lights, LED systems, battery-backed circuits, and motion sensors that keep your home well-lit without drawing from the grid.
WHERE TO START
Power just went out
The hour-by-hour protocol covers the first day and tells you exactly what to check, what to protect, and when to call for help.
Power Outage Action PlanBuilding ahead
A weekend project that gives your household real energy independence. Most people are surprised by how much it covers.
200W Solar Setup