Small load, clean power
A CPAP uses very little power — the heated humidifier is the biggest part of it. The bigger question is power quality and noise: a small inverter generator gives clean power and is quiet enough to run overnight outdoors.
If your CPAP is medically necessary, tell your utility and local fire department that you depend on a powered medical device[1], and talk to your provider about a backup plan. Long outages can turn dangerous within hours for people who rely on these devices.[2]
Planning power for a CPAP outage
Know your machine’s real draw. The power supply lists its maximum, and the heated humidifier and heated tube use most of it; with them switched off, a CPAP needs only a fraction of that.
For a night or two, a portable power station or the maker’s own battery is often simpler than a generator: silent, safe to use indoors and no fuel. For longer outages, a small inverter generator running outdoors can recharge that battery during the day.
Put the plan on paper before storm season: which outlet, which cord, how long the battery lasts on your settings, and who to call. Your utility may keep a list of customers who depend on powered medical equipment.[1]
Questions
Can I run a CPAP from a portable power station?
Often yes, especially with the humidifier off. A power station is silent and can sit indoors because it has no exhaust.
Can I plug a CPAP into any generator?
Use an inverter generator or a power station — their output is clean enough for electronics. Check your CPAP manual for the power sources its maker approves.
How long will a CPAP run on a battery?
It depends on the battery’s size and your settings. Turning off the heated humidifier and heated tube makes the biggest difference — check your CPAP maker’s battery guide for run times on your model and pressure.