Power

WSVN -- We take electricity for granted until we are stuck without power for days or weeks.

After a storm if your power plan involves buying a generator for your house, get it now from start to finish. Installation takes two to six months.

Gideon Djerassi: "It involves pulling permits, installations, inspections. So it doesn't happen immediately. You should prepare for this."

Whole-house generators can offer you the ultimate power play. Running everything in your house but getting that kind of juice will cost you anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000.

Gideon Djerassi: "The bigger the house, the bigger the load, the bigger the generator."

Portable generators are more affordable and easier to set up.

Keep in mind, you'll need to refuel with gasoline and there are limits on what they can power.

Gideon Djerassi: "Can basically run your computer, your refrigerator microwave. You'll have most of the stuff you need, short of A.C."

People in condos and apartments can't use a typical generator but they can buy something unique like this gas free generator.

Paul Farren: "It's a cabinet full of batteries. It charges from the wall. This will last from two four days. Get you through a short energy outage."

Or for something more affordable, try this small power pack.

Paul Farren: "Basically, it is a battery system that will convert battery power into standard electric power. It has a built in radio. There is not a lot of battery energy in here so you can't run too much."

If you want to go off the grid, the sunshine state is a perfect place for solar power.

Ed Strobel: "We're collecting it as electricity to power items in your home."

You can start with something like these solar panels with a battery pack.     

Ed Strobel: "A small system will help power up a refrigerator, your freezers, some lights, cell phone charger all of the basics."

Solar systems can be very expensive but there are a few incentives to help ease the cost.

Ed Strobel: "The federal government gives you a 30 percent tax credit and if you are lucky enough to get on the FPL rebate program, which happens a couple of times a year, you can save close to another 30 percent."

No matter what your power plan is, give it a test run now.    

Ed Strobel: "You're going to want to get out those devices and make sure they work."

All the power is in your hands to make sure you're not left in the dark later.