EZ Generator Switch: Easy Furnace Power During Outages

In my area, winter power outages are common, and when they hit, keeping the house warm is critical. I recently tested the EZ Generator Switch, and it makes powering my gas-fired furnace from a portable power station incredibly easy and safe. This simple green box is a lifesaver for maintaining heat when the grid goes down.

Disclosure: I purchased this unit with my own money and this video is not sponsored.

What I Built

My setup involves connecting the EZ Generator Switch directly to my gas-fired furnace. The switch itself is a compact, green box mounted near the furnace. It has a standard NEMA L5-30R outlet (a twist-lock receptacle) on one side and a three-position toggle switch on the other: 'GENERATOR', 'OFF', and 'NORMAL'. A power cord runs from the switch, through the top, to power the furnace. To connect my power station, I use a heavy-duty extension cord with a compatible female twist-lock plug on one end, which plugs into the EZ Generator Switch.

Why It Works

The beauty of the EZ Generator Switch lies in its simplicity and safety. It acts as a manual transfer switch for a single 120-volt circuit. In the 'NORMAL' position, your appliance (like my furnace) draws power directly from the grid. Flipping it to 'OFF' completely disconnects power, which is useful for servicing the unit. When the power goes out, you switch it to 'GENERATOR', plug in your power source, and you're good to go.

Crucially, the outlet on the switch has male prongs, designed so that they are never hot unless the extension cord is securely plugged in. This eliminates the risk of accidental electrocution, ensuring safety during operation. Utilizing a gas or propane-fired furnace during an outage is also far more efficient than relying on electric heaters, which consume significantly more power, quickly draining batteries or fuel.

Parts & Specs

• EZ Generator Switch: A 120V manual transfer switch designed for single-circuit applications.
• Heavy-Duty Extension Cord: A thick gauge extension cord with a female NEMA L5-30P twist-lock plug on one end (to connect to the switch) and a male 5-15P plug on the other (to connect to the power station).
• Bluetti EB3A Portable Power Station: Used as the power source in my test. This is a very small unit with a 268Wh capacity and an 600W AC inverter.
• Gas-Fired Furnace: The appliance being powered.

Math & Run-Time Numbers

During my test, the furnace showed varying power draw depending on its cycle. When initially firing up, with the hot surface igniter and induced draft motor running, it pulled around 78 watts. Once the main fan kicked in to circulate heat, the power draw jumped to approximately 530 watts. This is close to the maximum output of the Bluetti EB3A.

With the furnace pulling around 530 watts, the Bluetti EB3A (with its 268Wh capacity) would run the furnace for approximately half an hour if fully charged. While this isn't hours of continuous heat, it's enough to take the chill off and cycle the furnace a few times during a short outage.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Super easy and fast to set up for emergency power.
• Provides essential heat from a gas/propane furnace during grid outages.
• Doubles as a service disconnect for the furnace, adding a safety layer.
• Safer than backfeeding your home's electrical system directly.
• Compatible with portable power stations or gas generators.

Cons:

• Only powers a single 120V circuit.
• Smaller power stations will have limited runtimes for a furnace.
• Requires proper wiring installation (which can vary depending on your generator's neutral grounding).

When To Use This vs. Alternatives

This EZ Generator Switch is ideal for homeowners who want a simple, safe way to power their gas or propane-fired furnace during a power outage. If your primary concern is maintaining heat and you already have a fuel-based furnace, this setup is far more efficient than trying to run electric space heaters off a generator or power station, which would quickly deplete your energy reserves.

For longer outages or if you need to power multiple circuits, you'd need a larger portable power station or a gas generator with more fuel capacity, along with a multi-circuit transfer switch. However, for getting your furnace up and running quickly and safely, this switch is a fantastic solution. I have other videos testing different power stations with this furnace; check the playlist linked in the video description below.

Bottom Line

The EZ Generator Switch offers a straightforward and secure method to keep your home warm when the power fails. By connecting it to your gas furnace and a portable power station or generator, you ensure critical heating without complex wiring or risking your home's electrical system. It's a smart investment for peace of mind during winter storms.

Final Wrap-Up

I hope this breakdown of the EZ Generator Switch and its application for furnace power was helpful. If you have any questions or thoughts, please leave them in the comments below. Don't forget to like this post and subscribe to the YouTube channel for more DIY solar, home battery storage, and portable power station content!