Can a portable power station run a heat pump?
A small NZ/AU heat pump can run on a large power station for a few hours, but not overnight. The number that matters is the rated power input on the outdoor unit's label (often 500–900 W heating for a 2.5–3.5 kW unit), not the kW heating output in the brochure. US sites skip this because most US homes use central HVAC.
What to check first
- Rated input vs output. A "3.2 kW heating" heat pump draws much less than 3.2 kW from the socket. The energy label or nameplate lists the rated input in watts, and a typical small unit draws roughly 600–1,000 W at that rating. Read your own label.
- Maximum input. Nameplates also list a maximum input, which is often 1.5–2× the rated input. Choose a station whose continuous output covers the maximum input, not the rated one.
- Inverter heat pumps start softly. Modern inverter units ramp up instead of slamming on, so start surge is rarely the problem. Old fixed-speed units can surge hard.
- Hard-wired units. Most NZ/AU split systems are hard-wired on their own circuit, so you can't plug them into a power station. Changing that needs a licensed electrician and an approved changeover setup (see transfer switch vs extension lead). Never backfeed a circuit.
- Cheaper for outages: an electric blanket uses about a tenth of the energy and keeps you warm all night.
Runtime at an 800 W average draw (estimate)
| Model | Wh | Continuous AC | Runs it? | Est. runtime at 800 W | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoFlow RIVER 2 Pro | 768 Wh | 800 W | Tight | 0.8 h | Check current listing |
| Jackery Explorer 1000 v2 | 1,070 Wh | 1,500 W | Yes | 1.1 h | Check current listing |
| EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus | 1,024 Wh | 1,800 W | Yes | 1.1 h | Check current listing |
| BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 | 1,024 Wh | 1,800 W | Yes | 1.1 h | Check current listing |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 | 1,056 Wh | 1,800 W | Yes | 1.1 h | Check current listing |
| Anker SOLIX C1000 Gen 2 | 1,024 Wh | 2,000 W | Yes | 1.1 h | Check current listing |
| EcoFlow DELTA 2 Max | 2,048 Wh | 2,400 W | Yes | 2.2 h | Check current listing |
Runtime = Wh × 85% ÷ 800 W. "Yes" means continuous output is at least 25% above 800 W; "Tight" means it barely covers it. Heat pumps cycle, so real average draw varies with outdoor temperature and the set point. Specs are from brand product pages, re-checked 29 Oct 2026. Model your own unit in the runtime calculator.
Where to buy
Affiliate links are coming soon. Related: Runtime calculator · Compare & filter · Will it boil the jug? · NZ/AU stockists