Gas may provide the heat, but many modern appliances still depend on electricity for ignition, controls, lights, valves, blowers or safety systems.
The 100 W default is a planning placeholder only. Replace it with manufacturer data or measured power. Zaron applies 90% assumed system efficiency and a 20% planning margin.
Add Gas Appliance Load to My Backup Plan →Electronic-ignition gas range example with a 120 V electrical supply.
One current GE gas range lists 120 V / 60 Hz / 15 A.
Another current range shows the same supply class, but not the same continuous real-world watt draw.
Many modern gas ranges use electronic ignition rather than a continuously burning pilot.
Some gas ovens depend on electrical igniters and gas valves, so the oven may stop working during an outage even though gas service remains available.
Gas furnaces, water heaters and other appliances may also require electricity for controls, fans, pumps or ignition. Size each model separately.
GE states that many electric-ignition gas surface burners can be manually lit during a power failure, while the oven portion cannot because the ignition system and gas valve require power. That is model-specific guidance, not a universal rule for every gas appliance.
Your gas supply may still be available while the appliance's electronic ignition, control board, valve or blower is not. Backup planning has to account for both.
A circuit requirement defines the supply the appliance needs. It is not a direct measurement of the appliance's continuous electrical draw. For battery sizing, use actual wattage, manufacturer data or measured consumption whenever possible.
Use measured or manufacturer-specified electrical power.
WHow long the electrical portion of the appliance is actually energized.
hoursWatts × runtime × number of appliances.
WhDivide by 0.90 assumed efficiency, then apply 20% planning margin.
÷ .90 × 1.20Verify peak power for blowers, pumps or other motor-driven components.
WEnough battery energy plus compatible inverter output.
kWh + WGE says electric-ignition gas surface burners may be manually lit during an outage, while gas ovens with electric ignition cannot be manually lit because the ignition and gas valve require power.
GE outage guidance →A current GE Artistry gas range lists electronic ignition and 120 V, 60 Hz, 15 A electrical requirements.
GE model specs →A current Whirlpool gas range lists electronic ignition, 120 V, 15 A and “Power Outage Compatible.” Always check the owner documentation for what that feature means on a specific model.
Whirlpool model specs →Many modern ranges do. Electronic ignition, controls, oven lighting and gas-valve systems can depend on electricity.
Sometimes. GE states that many electric-ignition surface burners can be manually lit with a match during an outage. Follow the exact owner's manual for your model.
Do not assume so. GE specifically states that its electric-ignition gas ovens cannot be manually lit because the ignition system and gas valve require power.
There is no universal answer. Use actual electrical watts and runtime. The heating energy comes from gas, but the controls and ignition system may still need electrical backup.
Gas can reduce heating-energy demand on the battery, but ignition, controls, valves and blowers still belong in the outage plan.
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