27 October 2026
HDB Power Upgrading & Electrical Shutdowns: How to Keep Your Fridge, Breast Milk and Wi-Fi Running in Singapore
HDB shutdown notices usually run 7 to 8 hours, not 30 minutes. Here is how to keep your fridge, breast milk, Wi-Fi and aquarium running safely indoors with a rented battery power station.
How long do HDB power shutdowns really last?
The notice your Town Council or SP Group pins at the lift lobby is what matters. Main switchboard servicing, substation works and Home Improvement Programme (HIP) rewiring typically announce a window such as 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Power can come back earlier, but nobody can count on it, so plan for the full announced window.
Why the "4 hour fridge rule" does not fit Singapore
That rule assumes a cool room around 20 to 22 degrees C. A closed Singapore flat with no fan or air-con can reach 32 to 34 degrees C with high humidity, so your fridge warms faster, and every time someone opens the door for water or milk, it loses more cold air.
What cannot wait even one hour
Frozen breast milk: once it thaws it cannot be refrozen. Working from home: your fibre modem, router, monitors and laptop chargers go off the moment power is cut, taking video calls with them. Aquariums: pumps, aerators and chillers stop, and oxygen drops quickly in warm water. Medical needs: CPAP machines, nebulisers and refrigerated medication such as insulin.
Why not a generator?
Petrol and diesel generators produce exhaust fumes and carry a fire risk, so they must never be run inside a flat or along a common corridor. A battery power station is silent, has no fumes and is safe to use indoors.
Which power station should I rent?
EcoFlow River 3 UPS: for your router, modem, phone and laptop charging. It can sit plugged in and switch over automatically when power cuts. DJI Power 1000 or DJI Power 1000 Mini: a good fit for a typical HDB fridge plus Wi-Fi through an 8-hour shutdown. EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus: a similar size, popular for fridge and work-from-home setups. DJI Power 2000: for large or two-door fridges, a chest freezer, or several appliances at once. DJI solar panels: add one if a shutdown may run longer, or for outdoor use afterwards.
Simple wattage maths
A typical HDB fridge averages around 60 to 150 W over the day because its compressor cycles on and off. Over 8 hours that is about 500 to 1,200 Wh. A router and modem use about 15 to 25 W, and a laptop around 45 to 65 W while charging. A station of roughly 1,000 Wh covers most fridge plus Wi-Fi shutdowns with some margin. Tell us your appliances on WhatsApp and we will suggest the right size.
How it works
Add the power station to your request list, pick the date on your shutdown notice and send the prefilled WhatsApp message. Collect it in the evening window the day before, charged and ready, with its carrier bag and charging cable. Return it the day after. We stay on WhatsApp if you need help setting it up.
Featured gear
EcoFlow River 3 UPS
DJI Power 1000
DJI Power 1000 Mini
EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus
DJI Power 2000
DJI IBCPOWER 200W Foldable Solar Panel
Ready to rent?
Browse the gear, build your request list and send it to us on WhatsApp. We'll confirm availability and the exact price for your dates.