Before you buy: know your rights in a power cut
- Report an unplanned power cut by calling 105 free, which puts you through to your electricity network operator (Ofgem).
- In Great Britain, network operators pay compensation automatically if your power is off for a set time. Ofgem says homes can get £100 if fewer than 5,000 properties are affected for more than 12 hours, or more than 5,000 for more than 24 hours, plus £45 for each additional 12 hours. Different rules apply in severe weather (Ofgem).
- In Northern Ireland, NIE Networks pays £50 if your power isn't restored within 24 hours, then £25 for every further 12 hours. You must claim within 1 month, and the standards may not apply in severe weather (NIE Networks).
- If you or someone in your home needs extra support, join the Priority Services Register. Help can include priority support in an emergency where possible and advance notice of scheduled power cuts (Ofgem).
Backup options
- Portable generators for a few essentials, run outdoors.
- Standby generators wired in through a changeover switch, so they can't feed power back into the grid.
- Battery systems, often paired with solar, that switch over automatically.
- Fully off-grid systems combining solar, wind or hydro with batteries and a generator, for homes with no grid connection.
Any fixed connection to your home's wiring should be designed and installed by a qualified electrician.
Carbon monoxide
The NHS lists portable generators among the appliances that can produce carbon monoxide, and warns that running engines in an enclosed space such as a garage can cause a build-up of CO (NHS). Never run a generator indoors or in an attached garage.
Tax relief on batteries
Batteries that store electricity have been included in the 0% VAT relief for energy-saving materials in homes since 1 February 2024, until 31 March 2027 (HMRC).
Frequently asked questions
Who do I call in a power cut?
Call 105 free from a landline or mobile. It puts you through to your local electricity network operator.
Can I get compensation for a long power cut?
Often, yes. In Great Britain it's automatic: Ofgem says homes can get £100 after 12 hours (or 24 hours if more than 5,000 properties are affected), plus £45 for each extra 12 hours, with different rules in severe weather. In Northern Ireland, NIE Networks pays £50 after 24 hours and £25 for each further 12 hours, but you must claim within 1 month.
Is it safe to plug a generator into my house wiring?
Only through a properly installed changeover switch fitted by a qualified electrician. Otherwise it can feed power back into the network and endanger engineers.