If you are among the 41% of Americans who work remotely, you know just how frustrating power interruptions or a poor internet connection can be. And as remote work becomes the new normal, a reliable source of uninterrupted power has grown even more important.
This article gives you a glimpse of what a portable power station can do to save your workday while you’re away from home or having frequent power outages.
The need for a reliable and portable power source
This Reuters’ article highlights that two-thirds of North America could face power shortages in winter, mainly as a result of inclement weather and high population density.
As the workforce moves away from the office and increasingly embraces flexibility, many professionals working remotely find themselves navigating a wide array of environments where traditional power outlets may be scarce. The need for a reliable power source becomes not only a matter of convenience but a critical requirement for employment.
Portable power stations are useful in keeping laptops, smartphones, and other necessary work-related devices powered and charged at home or on-the-go. This, in turn, can empower remote professionals to transcend geographical constraints and perform at their peak, regardless of their locations.
How can portable power stations be a solution to remote work challenges?
An article from Climate Central highlights the power crisis by revealing that 80% of power outages between 2020 to 2023 were due to bad weather. Portable power stations can be a good solution to keep the modern, remote workforce powered during an outage or on-the-go. With the ability to charge laptops, smartphones, and to power all other work-related devices at the same time, portable power stations provide remote professionals the flexibility to work from anywhere—at home, on the road, or even somewhere off the beaten path.
With a portable power station like the IQ PowerPack 1500, remote professionals can power up to 11 devices from AC, DC, and USB ports.
How to find the right portable power station for your remote office?
Choosing the right portable power station can be as critical as finding the right system or tool for your work. Here’s a list of considerations as you look for a portable power station that meets your professional needs:
Remote work frequency
Are you currently on a hybrid work arrangement or working entirely remotely? The answer to this question will help you choose the right power station with a suitable battery capacity and battery life. For those on a hybrid work arrangement, you can go for a slightly lower battery capacity at a more affordable price. However, if you’re working in a fully (or mostly) remote setup, make sure you go for a higher battery capacity that can keep your devices powered for longer durations, and longer battery life due to frequent usage.
For example, the IQ PowerPack 1500’s 1.5kWh battery capacity can power most office equipment for several hours. Its battery pack is rated for 2,500 charge cycles and comes with a five-year limited warranty from the date of purchase.
Remote work location
Do you work from home or a co-working space? Your work location will help you identify the suitable weight and portability features of a portable power station. A lightweight, easy-to-carry power station could be a good choice if you’re working from somewhere other than a home office.
Taking your work outdoors
If you need a power source at an outdoor location, you’ll need a power station that's certified for temporary outdoor use. The IQ PowerPack 1500 provides an extra layer of assurance with UL system safety and temporary outdoor use certifications, you are free to take it almost anywhere, rain or shine.
Working hours
Your work hours determine the battery storage capacity of your portable power station. Be sure to choose at least a 1,500 Wh battery if you need to work for longer hours at a time without power interruptions.
Number of appliances and tools required for work
If you only need the power station to run a laptop or charge a phone, you can go for a smaller and lighter option with fewer output ports. However, if you need to power more tools or equipment, choose a power station based on the number of output ports that meet your needs.
Charging source availability
Not all power stations come with the flexibility of charging from multiple sources. Choose a power station based on the power sources are available at your remote work location. Consider one that supports AC grid, solar, and DC inputs to maximize your charging options.
In the current dynamic landscape of remote work, adaptability is key. Portable power stations gives remote professionals the ability to transcend geographical boundaries while maintaining peak productivity wherever they go.
