Does your utility allow a meter collar transfer switch? Check generator, battery and CPAP rules by utility
Neighboring utilities in the same state can have opposite rules. Look up your utility to see whether it accepts meter collar transfer switches (Tesla Backup Switch, ConnectDER), what it takes to get a bigger gas meter for a standby generator, and what its medical program really provides for CPAP users.
Meter collar transfer switches
Tesla Backup Switch, ConnectDER, GenerLink, Enphase IQ Meter Collar
Gas meter upgrade for a standby generator
Is your gas meter big enough for a whole-home generator?
Add your generator and gas appliances to estimate total load in cubic feet per hour (CFH) and compare it with your meter. Use the BTU ratings on each nameplate for the best estimate.
Estimate only. Your gas utility decides meter sizing, and a licensed plumber must size the gas piping under your local fuel gas code.
Meter collar, medical program and battery program rules by utility
Click a row to load it above, or open the utility's page for the full details and official sources.
| Utility | State | Meter collars | Medical program | Backup battery program | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OncorTransmission & distribution utility (electric) | TX | Not accepted | Texas Critical Care / Chronic Condition designation | None found | Details → |
| Austin EnergyMunicipal utility (city-owned) | TX | Accepted | Medically Vulnerable Registry | None for medical customers (general: Power Partner Battery) | Details → |
| PG&EInvestor-owned utility (electric & gas) | CA | Accepted | Medical Baseline Program | Portable Battery Program; Generator & Battery Rebate Program | Details → |
| LADWPMunicipal utility (city-owned) | CA | Not accepted | Life-Support Equipment Discount | None found | Details → |
| ComEdInvestor-owned utility (electric) | IL | Accepted | Medical Certification | None found | Details → |
| FPLInvestor-owned utility (electric) | FL | Not accepted | Medically Essential Service Program | None found | Details → |
| CenterPoint (Houston)Transmission & distribution utility (electric) with separate gas utility | TX | Not accepted | Texas Critical Care / Chronic Condition designation | None found | Details → |
| Pedernales Electric Co-opElectric cooperative | TX | No published rule found | Medical Necessity Program | None found | Details → |
| SCEInvestor-owned utility (electric) | CA | Accepted | Medical Baseline Allowance | Critical Care Backup Battery (CCBB) Program | Details → |
| APSInvestor-owned utility (electric) | AZ | Accepted | Medical Care program; Energy Support with Medical (Rider E-4) | None found | Details → |
| Con EdisonInvestor-owned utility (electric & gas) | NY | Not accepted | Life-Support Equipment (LSE) program | None found | Details → |
| Georgia PowerInvestor-owned utility (electric) | GA | Not accepted | Disconnection during illness (Georgia PSC rule) | None found | Details → |
| Duke Energy CarolinasInvestor-owned utility (electric) | NC | No published rule found | Medically Essential Program | None for medical customers (general: PowerPair solar + storage incentive) | Details → |
| Dominion Energy VirginiaInvestor-owned utility (electric) | VA | No published rule found | Medical Conditions list (Serious Medical Condition Certification) | None found | Details → |
| Xcel Energy ColoradoInvestor-owned utility (electric and gas) | CO | Restricted / case by case | Medical Certification Program and Colorado Medical Exemption Program (Xcel's Safe for Colorado program) | PSPS Backup Battery Rebate Program | Details → |
| SDG&EInvestor-owned utility (electric and gas) | CA | Accepted | Medical Baseline Allowance Program | Generator Assistance Program (Medical Baseline and Access and Functional Needs rebate) | Details → |
| PSE&GInvestor-owned utility (electric & gas) | NJ | Accepted | Life-Sustaining Equipment designation (Critical Care Program) | None found | Details → |
| Eversource (MA)Investor-owned utility (electric; gas through Eversource gas companies in some areas) | MA | No published rule found | Medical Certification of Illness (serious illness shutoff protection) | None found | Details → |
| DTE EnergyInvestor-owned utility (electric; gas through DTE Gas in many areas) | MI | Restricted / case by case | Critical Care Protection and Medical Emergency hold | None found | Details → |
| Consumers EnergyInvestor-owned utility (electric & gas) | MI | Not accepted | Critical Care Program (shut-off protection using the Medical Certification Form) | None found | Details → |
| SRPPublic power utility | AZ | Accepted | Medical Preparedness Program | None found | Details → |
| PSEInvestor-owned utility (electric & gas) | WA | No published rule found | Life Support status | Flex Batteries Enhanced Incentives (Pathway A) | Details → |
| AEP OhioInvestor-owned utility (electric only) | OH | No published rule found | Medical Certification (Ohio 30-day medical certificate) | None found | Details → |
| PECOInvestor-owned utility (electric & gas) | PA | Restricted / case by case | Medical Certification | None found | Details → |
| BGEInvestor-owned utility (electric & gas) | MD | Accepted | Special Needs Programs (certification of serious illness or life support) | None found | Details → |
| Ameren MissouriInvestor-owned utility (electric & gas) | MO | No published rule found | Medical Equipment Registry | None found | Details → |
| Entergy LouisianaInvestor-owned utility (electric) | LA | Accepted | Certified medical emergency (disconnection delay) and the Entergy medical needs program ("Powering your medical needs") | None found | Details → |
| Alabama PowerInvestor-owned utility (electric) | AL | No published rule found | Life support status (Rule 3.13, Postponing Termination Due to Special Conditions) | None found | Details → |
| NV EnergyInvestor-owned utility (electric) | NV | Accepted | Green Cross Program | None found | Details → |
| PGEInvestor-owned utility (electric) | OR | Not accepted | Medical Certificate program | PGE Medical Battery Support | Details → |
| Tampa Electric (TECO)Investor-owned utility (electric) | FL | No published rule found | Medical Watch | None found | Details → |
| Duke Energy FloridaInvestor-owned utility (electric) | FL | No published rule found | Medically Essential Program | None found | Details → |
Portable power stations for CPAP backup
Runtime estimates below assume a CPAP drawing about 40 W without the heated humidifier and 85% inverter efficiency; with the humidifier on, expect roughly half. Before buying, check whether your utility offers a free or discounted battery program you qualify for.
EcoFlow DELTA Pro (3,600 Wh LiFePO4)
Room-level backup for medical devices and a refrigerator; expandable with extra batteries
Anker SOLIX F3800 (3,840 Wh LiFePO4)
Split-phase 240 V output that can feed a generator inlet with a proper transfer switch or interlock
Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus (2,042 Wh LiFePO4)
Smaller, wheeled unit for bedside CPAP or BiPAP backup
Oxygen concentrators draw far more power than CPAP machines; ask your equipment supplier for your device's wattage before relying on a battery.
Get a quote that fits your utility's rules
Tell us about your home and the system you are pricing. We will reply by email and, with your permission, connect you with a local licensed installer who works with your utility.
Frequently asked questions
Do all utilities allow meter collar transfer switches like the Tesla Backup Switch?
No. Each utility decides. Some accept only devices on an approved list, some limit them to certain meter sockets, and some do not allow any device between the meter and the meter socket. Check your utility's page or read the meter collar guide.
Is a 250 CFH gas meter big enough for a whole-home generator?
Often not. Many 20–26 kW natural gas generators use roughly 250–350 CFH at full load, so together with a furnace and water heater the total can exceed a 250 CFH meter. Use the calculator and see the gas meter guide.
Do utility medical programs give CPAP users a bill discount?
Usually not a flat discount. Most programs provide outage notifications and disconnection protections. California Medical Baseline adds an extra allowance of energy at the lowest price, and a few utilities offer income-qualified discounts or backup batteries in wildfire areas. See the CPAP guide.
Interlock kit, transfer switch or meter collar — which do I need?
It depends on your generator or battery and on your utility. Compare them in our interlock vs transfer switch guide.