For an SCE-served Southern California home with a smart water-shutoff valve, blackout preparation should answer two separate questions: will water still flow, and which monitoring or control functions will remain available? A working faucet does not establish that an electronic valve and its remote controls still have power.
This is preparedness guidance as of November 14, 2026, 8:05 p.m. Pacific, not a notice that a blackout is scheduled. Use SCE’s official outage-status page for live, address-specific information. A conditional PSPS notice or a Flex Alert is not confirmation that your home has lost electricity.
Learn your valve’s power-loss behavior
Moen provides a useful product-specific example. Its Flo support information on the recall page explains that a power outage does not itself make the Flo Shutoff turn off the water. It also directs owners to the device’s manual control when power is unavailable.
Have your plumber demonstrate the manual procedure for your exact model before an emergency, and keep those instructions accessible offline. This does not guarantee water service during an outage: a utility water interruption, private well pump or other equipment can create separate limitations. Do not apply one manufacturer’s behavior to every smart valve.
Identify the accessory before relying on it
The same Moen notice recalls Flo battery-backup model 920-001 because it can overheat and pose a fire hazard. It instructs owners to immediately stop using and unplug the recalled accessory and contact Moen for the recall process. The notice distinguishes that accessory from the Flo Shutoff itself.
Check the actual label rather than assuming all products with a similar name are the same. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for handling and disposal; do not place a recalled lithium-ion battery in ordinary trash. Confirm current compatible backup options directly with Moen. This article does not recommend a substitute adapter or battery pack.
Include the valve in the home-battery conversation
Our suggested household checklist is:
- Identify the outlet and approved power supply serving the valve.
- Ask the battery installer whether that circuit is included in backup.
- List the router and other network equipment separately; powering them does not power the valve’s outlet.
- Ask the valve manufacturer which functions work without internet and how to recognize lost monitoring.
- Keep the plumber’s and equipment provider’s service contacts with the manual instructions.
For a hypothetical example, a backed-up router may keep the household Wi-Fi network running while a valve plugged into an unsupported garage outlet loses power. The practical remedy starts with reviewing circuit coverage and manufacturer requirements, not assuming the app can operate unpowered equipment.
Our battery monitoring during an internet interruption guide explains the related distinction between communications and electrical operation.
Set realistic backup and PPA expectations
A suitable solar-plus-battery PPA can help eligible homeowners support selected household equipment without purchasing the solar system upfront. Ask for an equipment list and supported-circuit plan that includes overlooked controls as well as larger appliances.
General battery guidance explains that available charge, connected demand and supported circuits limit operation. Ordinary grid-tied solar alone generally cannot power the home during a blackout. Solar recharge requires compatible backup equipment and sufficient sunlight; neither storage nor output capacity is unlimited.
The CPUC solar guide explains provider ownership and ongoing payments for generated electricity. Confirm the actual no-upfront offer’s eligibility, rate, escalator, term, battery ownership and charges, maintenance, replacement and transfer provisions. Remaining utility bills continue, and savings are not guaranteed.
Bring your valve model and household backup priorities to West Coast Alternatives’ homeowner journey to discuss a proposal with clear circuit coverage and ongoing costs.