Running a gas-furnace blower on backup power
The short answer
A gas-furnace blower uses about 400–1,200 watts while running , and needs up to 3,500 watts for a split second when it starts. Over 24 hours it uses roughly 2,880–20,160 watt-hours.
Buy for the higher number in each range. 20 of the 58 products we track can run it. For example, the Zendure SuperBase V6400 would run it for 4.6–13.7 hours.
This one is not plug-and-play. It is wired into your house, so you need a licensed electrician.
Sized in a full plan
This load is part of a plan we ran against every unit we track, with picks: The best portable power stations for a gas furnace.
The numbers behind that
Cycling depends on outdoor temperature and how well the house holds heat. Cold snaps push duty to the high end.
What it draws while it is actually on.
The momentary surge when a motor or compressor kicks in. Undersized systems fail here, not on running watts.
How much of the hour it is actually drawing power. This is what turns running watts into energy.
Multiply the battery capacity you are considering by roughly 0.85 to compare like with like.
Wired into the building
This is connected to your house wiring, not an outlet. Powering it from a portable source needs a transfer switch or an inlet installed by a licensed electrician. Never run a cord from a generator into an outlet to feed a circuit: backfeeding can kill line workers and start fires.
Safety
A furnace is wired into the building, not plugged in. Powering it from a portable source requires a transfer switch or an inlet installed by a licensed electrician. Never backfeed a furnace circuit.
Check this yourself
Read the blower motor nameplate, and note whether it is a older PSC motor or a variable-speed ECM. They behave very differently.
What can run it
Sized for 24 hours of use during a 24-hour outage, using the higher end of the range.
| Product | Continuous | Surge | Runtime | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zendure SuperBase V6400 | 3,800W | 5,000W | 4.6–13.7h | Might work |
| Jackery Explorer 5000 Plus Portable Power Station | 7,200W | 14,400W | 3.6–10.7h | Might work |
| Zendure SuperBase V4600 | 3,800W | 5,000W | 3.3–9.8h | Might work |
| EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station | 4,000W | 8,000W | 2.9–8.7h | Might work |
| Goal Zero Yeti PRO 4000 | 3,600W | 7,200W | 2.8–8.5h | Might work |
| FIRMAN WH03242 Dual-Fuel Inverter | 3,200W | 4,000W | fuel-dependent | Will work |
| Champion 201444 5500W Inverter | 4,000W | 5,500W | fuel-dependent | Will work |
| Champion 201255 5500W Open Frame Inverter (CARB) | 4,000W | 5,500W | fuel-dependent | Will work |
What will not work, and why
35 of 58 products cannot run this.
- Anker SOLIX Anker SOLIX F3000 Portable Power Station (UL9540 Certificated) — 2,611Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 2,880–20,160Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 2.2h before recharging.
- EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Portable Power Station (3072Wh) — 2,611Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 2,880–20,160Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 2.2h before recharging.
- Jackery HomePower 3000 — 2,611Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 2,880–20,160Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 2.2h before recharging.
- EcoFlow DELTA 3 Ultra Plus (3072Wh) — 2,611Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 2,880–20,160Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 2.2h before recharging.
- BLUETTI Apex 300 Home Battery Backup Portable Power Station — 2,350Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 2,880–20,160Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 2.0h before recharging.
- Anker SOLIX Anker SOLIX F2600 Portable Power Station - 2560Wh｜2400W — 2,176Wh usable cannot cover a 24-hour outage for these loads, which need 2,880–20,160Wh. It would carry the plan for roughly 1.8h before recharging.