Backup Power Options for Fort Lauderdale Hurricane Season

Hurricane season in Fort Lauderdale can bring days or even weeks without power. That is stressful when you need to keep medications cold, run a CPAP, or simply stay cool in South Florida heat. The good news is you can plan now for a safe, reliable backup power setup that fits your home and budget. In this guide, you will compare portable and standby generators, understand sizing and fuel choices, and learn how permits and condo or HOA rules affect your options. Let’s dive in.

Why backup power matters in Fort Lauderdale

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. In Broward County, high winds, flooding, and tree damage often lead to multi-day outages. Recent storms have shown that it can take time to rebuild damaged distribution lines and restore service neighborhood by neighborhood.

Emergency managers recommend planning for at least 72 hours without utilities, and for hurricanes it is wise to prepare for a week or more. If you depend on electrical medical equipment, an outage plan is essential. A generator or other backup power source can protect your health, your food, and your comfort when the grid is down.

Portable vs. standby generators

Choosing between portable and standby generators comes down to how much power you need, how long you want to run, and how automated you want the system to be.

Portable generators: quick, flexible power

Portable generators typically produce 1 to 10 kW and run on gasoline or propane. You start them manually and connect only selected appliances or circuits. Inverter models are quieter and provide cleaner power that is kinder to electronics.

Pros:

• Lower upfront cost and no permanent installation.
• Flexible for short outages and basic needs like a refrigerator, lights, and device charging.
• Easy to move and store when not in use.

Limitations:

• Limited runtime without frequent refueling and more noise than standby units.
• Carbon monoxide risk if used too close to openings or indoors.
• Cannot connect to home circuits safely without a permitted transfer switch or listed interlock.

Best for: Short-term outages, smaller homes, or a budget-friendly stopgap while you plan a permanent solution.

Standby generators: automatic, whole-home solutions

Standby generators are permanently installed and paired with an automatic transfer switch. They usually run on natural gas or propane and can power essential circuits or an entire home depending on size.

Pros:

• Automatic startup when utility power fails and automatic transfer back when it returns.
• Larger capacity and longer runtimes with natural gas or a properly sized propane tank.
• Professional installation improves safety and placement.

Limitations:

• Higher upfront cost for the unit, pad, transfer equipment, gas work, permits, and inspections.
• Requires space that meets code setbacks and sometimes HOA or condo approval.

Best for: Homeowners who want reliable, hands-off operation and the ability to run HVAC and multiple circuits through extended outages.

Sizing and prioritizing your loads

Generator size depends on the total running and starting watts of the equipment you plan to power. Motors, like those in central AC units and pumps, require a much higher surge at startup. A licensed electrician should perform a load calculation to size your system correctly and select the right transfer equipment.

How to pick the right size

Typical ranges for South Florida homes:

• Small essential backup: 5 to 7 kW to run a refrigerator, lights, Wi‑Fi, chargers, and a small window or mini-split AC.
• Partial-house: 10 to 15 kW to handle several circuits and often a single-zone central AC.
• Whole-house: 20 to 45 kW depending on square footage and high-demand loads like multiple AC units, pool equipment, and electric water heaters.

Always size for starting surge and continuous load. If you want central air on backup, confirm the AC’s locked-rotor amps and select equipment that can handle the surge or plan for a soft-start device as recommended by your licensed contractor.

What to power first

When you cannot power everything, prioritize what matters most.

• Life-safety and medical devices: oxygen equipment, CPAP, medication refrigeration, well or sump pumps.
• Communication and security: phone charging, Wi‑Fi, security systems.
• Refrigeration: refrigerator and freezers to prevent food loss.
• Cooling: in South Florida, plan for at least one cooling solution, such as one AC zone or a ductless system.
• Critical convenience: water heater, key lighting, garage door.
• Skip nonessential loads: pool heaters, large electric ranges, and EV chargers unless you size for whole-house use.

Many standby systems pair a generator with a subpanel or a load-shedding transfer switch so nonessential circuits are automatically disconnected when needed.

Fuel choices and planning

Your fuel strategy should match your risk tolerance and how long you expect to run after a storm.

Natural gas

Advantages:

• Continuous supply through the utility pipeline in many outages.
• No onsite fuel storage and generally lower operating cost per hour.

Considerations:

• Gas service can be interrupted in extreme events or for safety shutoffs.
• You will need a gas line and may need coordination with your gas provider and inspections.

Propane

Advantages:

• Long shelf life and reliable on-site storage in properly installed tanks.
• Popular for standby systems in Florida where natural gas is not available.

Considerations:

• Tank siting must follow fire code clearances and may face HOA or condo restrictions.
• Deliveries can be delayed after a major storm, so fill your tank before hurricane threats.

Diesel

Advantages:

• High energy density, often used in larger systems.

Considerations:

• Fuel degrades without treatment and storage rules are stricter for residences.
• Deliveries may be limited after storms.

Gasoline for portable units

Advantages:

• Widely available for portable generators.

Considerations:

• Short shelf life without stabilizer and not safe to store in large quantities.
• Never store gasoline indoors or in attached structures.

Storage and runtime planning

Estimate runtime using the manufacturer’s consumption chart in gallons per hour at a given load. Smaller units might burn 0.5 to 1.5 gallons per hour. Store only approved quantities of fuel in listed containers and follow local fire rules. For propane, choose a tank sized to support several days of operation and confirm delivery plans with your supplier before storms.

Local authorities, including Broward County Fire Rescue, regulate container types, amounts, and placement. If you plan a propane or diesel tank, confirm allowable sizes, setbacks, and any required anchoring and bonding.

Permits, utility rules, and HOA or condo approvals

Backup power touches electrical, building, gas, and fire codes. Plan enough lead time, especially as storm season approaches and permit volume increases.

Permits and inspections in Fort Lauderdale and Broward

For properties inside city limits, the City of Fort Lauderdale Building Division is your primary contact. In unincorporated areas or where the county administers, contact Broward County Building Code Services. Typical permits include:

• Building permit for the generator pad and placement.
• Electrical permit for wiring, the transfer switch, and panel work.
• Gas or fuel-line permit for natural gas or propane.

Expect inspections for rough and final electrical, gas, and possibly fire safety. All hardwired systems must use a transfer switch that isolates your home from the utility to prevent backfeed.

FPL coordination and anti-islanding

Your utility may require notification for permanently connected systems. The transfer equipment must prevent any chance of feeding power back to the grid. Follow all utility and code requirements so line workers and your equipment remain safe during and after storms.

Condo and HOA approvals

Associations in Broward County often control exterior modifications, roof penetrations, and fuel storage. Common requirements include written board approval for any external equipment or tanks, sound-attenuating enclosures, and siting that meets noise and setback rules. Many condominiums prohibit fuel tanks on balconies or limited common elements.

If you live in a condo, coordinate with building management and the association’s engineer to confirm whether your unit can support standby power and how it will be isolated from common systems. For HOAs, review your CC&Rs and obtain written approval before scheduling installation.

Safety and placement basics

Safety should anchor every decision. Follow manufacturer instructions and hire licensed, insured contractors familiar with Florida Building Code, the National Electrical Code, and local fire rules.

Carbon monoxide and ventilation

Never run a generator indoors or in partially enclosed spaces like garages or enclosed porches. Place it outside and away from windows, doors, and vents per manufacturer and local code clearances. Install and maintain battery-backed or hardwired carbon monoxide alarms.

Electrical safety and backfeed prevention

Do not plug a generator into a household outlet. Use a properly installed transfer switch or a listed interlock with permits where allowed. All permanent wiring needs to be installed by a licensed electrician and inspected.

Noise, neighbors, and setbacks

Generators produce sound that varies by model. Fort Lauderdale’s noise rules and your HOA may limit placement and operating hours. Choose locations that meet code setbacks, reduce noise to neighbors, and allow safe exhaust dispersal.

Maintenance and testing

Exercise your generator on a regular schedule under load as the manufacturer recommends. Perform oil and filter changes on the hour-based intervals, keep batteries charged, and maintain clean fuel. Before storms, top off fuel, test the transfer function, and check CO alarms and battery backups.

Decision checklist and next steps

Use this quick plan to move from idea to installation.

• Clarify your priorities

  • List essential circuits: medical devices, fridge, one AC zone, communications.
  • Decide whether you want automatic operation or can manage manual steps.

• Get a professional load calculation

  • Hire a licensed electrician to size your generator and specify the transfer switch and subpanel.

• Choose your fuel strategy

  • If you have natural gas, confirm supply expectations and gas meter capacity.
  • If you choose propane, size the tank for multi-day use and confirm siting and supplier availability.

• Confirm permits and approvals

  • Contact the City of Fort Lauderdale or Broward County for permits and inspections.
  • Check with Broward County Fire Rescue on fuel storage rules.
  • Secure written HOA or condo board approval and any required engineering reviews.

• Select experienced contractors

  • Work with licensed, insured pros who know Florida code and local permitting.
  • Confirm they will pull permits and schedule all inspections.

• Set a realistic budget

  • Portable generators: about $500 to $3,000 for most consumer units, plus any transfer equipment if you plan to connect to circuits.
  • Standby systems: commonly $6,000 to $20,000 or more installed depending on size and complexity.

• Plan for safety and neighbor relations

  • Install CO detectors, post operating instructions, and choose a placement that reduces noise and meets setbacks.

If you want help thinking through property-specific constraints, such as condo rules, gas availability, or where a generator could sit, reach out. A clear plan now means less stress when the forecast cone points at Broward.

Ready to prepare your Fort Lauderdale home or condo for hurricane season with the right backup power strategy? Let’s talk about your property, your priorities, and trusted local resources to help you execute. Connect with the team at Unknown Company to get started.

FAQs

What are the main differences between portable and standby generators?

• Portable generators are manual, lower cost, and power a few essentials; standby generators are permanent, automatic, and can power prioritized circuits or an entire home with natural gas or propane.

How big should my generator be for a Fort Lauderdale home?

• Many homes need 10 to 15 kW for partial backup or 20 to 45 kW for whole-house, but a licensed electrician should calculate size based on your actual running and starting loads.

Can a portable generator run my central air conditioner?

• Usually not, unless the generator is sized for the AC’s high starting surge and connected through a permitted transfer switch; powering a single zone or a ductless unit is often more practical.

Do I need permits to install a standby generator in Broward County?

• Yes, you typically need building, electrical, and gas permits plus inspections; contact the City of Fort Lauderdale or Broward County Building Code Services for specifics before you start.

Are propane tanks allowed at condos in Fort Lauderdale?

• Many condo associations restrict or prohibit fuel tanks on balconies or limited common areas; always get written board approval and coordinate with management and the association’s engineer.

Is natural gas more reliable than propane during hurricanes?

• Natural gas can be very convenient, but supply can still be interrupted in extreme events; propane provides on-site storage if your tank is properly sized and sited, and both options require planning.