Which power backup is best for home?

05 Feb.,2024

 

When the power goes out, you can sit in the dark or invest in something that'll keep the lights on. 

It used to be your only option was the fuel-powered standby generators (also known as whole house generators) that dominated the market for backup power supply. But a quieter, fume-free option alternative has firmly established itself in the market: home battery backups. While home generators can run as long as long as you have fuel to feed them, batteries come without the carbon monoxide risk, noise or (as much of) the fuel costs. Solar panels can keep your battery topped up but come with their own price tag.

Both batteries and generators provide the same basic service but are considerably different devices. We'll help you sort through the pros and cons of each and brief you on the unique abilities of each technology. Here's what you need to know to decide between the two.

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Battery backups

Home battery backup systems, like the Tesla Powerwall or the LGES 10H and 16H Prime, store energy, which you can use to power your house during an outage. Battery backups run on electricity, either from your home solar system or the electrical grid. As a result, they're much better for the environment than fuel-powered generators. They also might be better for your wallet.

Separately, if you have a time-of-use utility plan, you can use a battery backup system to save money on your electricity bill. Instead of paying high electricity rates during peak usage hours, you can use energy from your battery backup to power your home. In off-peak hours, you can use your electricity as normal -- but at a cheaper rate. 

If you have solar panels, you'll be able to store any excess electricity generated by your solar panels. This stored electricity can be used to power your home during the nighttime and periods of panel inefficiency.

Virtual power plants, where you give up a bit of control over your battery's charge to your utility or another third party, are increasingly available. By giving up some access to the energy stored in your battery, you can earn a bit of money.

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Generators

On the other hand, standby generators connect to your home's electrical panel and kick on automatically when the power goes out. Generators run on fuel to keep your electricity on during an outage -- typically natural gas, liquid propane or diesel. Other generators have a "dual fuel" feature, meaning that they can run on either natural gas or liquid propane.

Certain natural gas and propane generators can connect to your home's gas line or propane tank, so there's no need to refill them manually. Diesel generators, however, will need to be topped up in order to keep running.

Battery backup vs. generator: How do they compare?

They perform the same basic job but come with different costs, maintenance requirements and performance. 

Pricing

In terms of cost, battery backups are the pricier option upfront. But generators need fuel to run, which means that you'll spend more over time to maintain a steady fuel supply. 

With battery backups, you'll need to pay for the backup battery system upfront, as well as installation costs (each of which are in the thousands). Exact pricing will vary based on which battery model you choose and how many of them you need to power your home. However, it's common for an average-size home battery backup system to run between $10,000 and $20,000.

For generators, the upfront costs are slightly lower. On average, the price of purchasing and installing a standby generator can range from $7,000 to $15,000. However, remember that generators require fuel to run, which will increase your operating expenses. The specific costs will depend on a few factors, including the size of your generator, which type of fuel it uses and the amount of fuel used to run it.

Installation

Battery backups earn a slight edge in this category since they can be mounted to the wall or floor, whereas generator installations require a bit of additional work. Regardless, you'll need to hire a professional for either type of installation, both of which will require a full day of work and may cost several thousand dollars.

Aside from setting up the device itself, installing a generator also requires pouring a concrete slab, connecting the generator to a dedicated fuel source and installing a transfer switch.

Maintenance

Battery backups are the clear winner in this category. They're quiet, run independently, don't produce any emissions and don't require any ongoing maintenance.

On the other hand, generators can be quite noisy and disruptive when they're in use. They also emit exhaust or fumes, depending on which type of fuel they use to run -- which may irritate you or your neighbors.

Keeping your home powered

As far as how long they can keep your home powered, standby generators easily outperform battery backups. As long as you have enough fuel, generators can run continuously for up to three weeks at a time (if necessary).

That's simply not the case with battery backups. Let's use the Tesla Powerwall as an example. It has 13.5 kilowatt-hours of storage capacity, which can provide power for a few hours on its own. You can get extra power out of them if they're part of a solar panel system or if you use multiple batteries in a single system.

Expected lifespan and warranty

In most cases, battery backups come with longer warranties than standby generators. However, these warranties are measured in different ways.

Over time, battery backup systems lose the ability to hold a charge, much like phones and laptops. For that reason, battery backups include an end-of-warranty capacity rating, which measures how effective a battery will hold a charge by the end of its warranty period. In Tesla's case, the company guarantees that the Powerwall battery should retain 70% of its capacity by the end of its 10-year warranty.

Some backup battery manufacturers also offer a "throughput" warranty. This is the number of cycles, hours or energy output (known as "throughput") that a company guarantees on its battery.

With standby generators, it's easier to estimate lifespan. Good-quality generators can run for 3,000 hours, as long as they're well maintained. Therefore, if you run your generator for 150 hours per year, it should last about 20 years.

Which battery backup is right for you?

Across most categories, battery backup systems come out on top. In short, they're better for the environment, easier to install and cheaper to run long-term. Plus, they have longer warranties than standby generators.

With that said, traditional generators can be a good option in some cases. Unlike battery backups, you only need a single generator to restore power in an outage, which brings down the upfront costs. Plus, standby generators can last longer than battery backup systems in a single session. As a result, they'll be a safer bet if the power is out for days at a time.

How long does a solar battery last?

Many solar batteries are warrantied for 10 or even 15 years. Batteries lose some of their capacity over the course of their lifetime. Tesla Powerwalls, for example, are guaranteed to have at least 70% of their capacity at the end of their 10 year warranty.

How long can a home battery backup your home?

This depends entirely on how much you're trying to power during an outage. A Tesla Powerwall has a capacity of 13.5 kilowatt-hours. If you want to keep the lights on and you have one 100-watt lightbulbs, you could theoretically keep it burning for 135 hours. If you want to add a refrigerator that requires 500 watts, it would reduce your run time to 22.5 hours. If you want to have a power-outage movie marathon on your 500-watt tv, your charge would last for a bit over 12 hours. When a backup battery is installed, you might be able to designate critical loads and send battery power only to those circuits during a blackout.

If your battery is connected to solar panels, it'll recharge throughout the day, extending its useful charge, sometimes over days.

In most parts of the world, home backup generators have become a necessity. Home backup generators are of the highest significance, especially in places where extreme weather conditions are experienced. The harsh weather conditions that are usually harmful and are likely to cause power outages include forest fires, winter storms, hurricanes, and other hazardous weather events.

 

It is wise to install a whole-house backup generator that will keep your family at a comfortable note throughout the day. You will be kept stress-free during prolonged power blackouts once you engage the right home battery backup generator. Your home backup generator may employ fossil fuels that may include diesel or gas or even cleaner and renewable solar energy.

This is the guide you need to identify the best four home battery backup power supply generators that you can engage in your home for convenience, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

What is a Home Battery Backup system?

This is a device that stores reserve energy, and it can operate on a standalone basis or can be linked with a solar system. A backup battery is known to be charged from multiple sources, and the most recognized one is solar charging or charging from the main grid.

All you need to do is stack multiple batteries so that you can enjoy plenty of stored power to counter the day that you will experience a power outage.

Home Battery Backup Power Supply

A home battery backup power supply is made possible by the powerful whole-home generators. Whole home generators are well-recognized for their reliable backup power. The home battery backup generators are designed to offer your continuous power supply whenever there is a power outage or prolonged blackout. You will be happy and comfortable to see your home appliances, systems, and electronics stay on throughout the day.

Backup power supply at home can be delivered from solar, natural gas, or propane, and you get to enjoy a stress-free power supply. A generator is designed to automatically switch on within seconds after there is a power outage. A generator is the best way to enjoy uninterrupted power, and this will help you run critical systems and comfortably run any power-requiring activities.

Why you need Home Battery Backup Supply

It is quite clear that you need a way to ensure your home enjoys a continuous power supply. Check out the main reasons why you should opt for the best whole-home generator that can provide power backup for your home;

Convenience- with a whole home generator at your service, you will enjoy superior backup power. You will be impressed by the convenient fuel options, permanent installation, and other advanced features that include smart remote monitoring.

Reliable Power- It is worth investing in the whole home generator that assures you of readily available power supply at any time or place without stress about power outages.

Free-installation- whole house generators are portable, and hence, they do not require much installation or setups.

What to Consider Before You Choose a Home Battery Backup

Here are some of the essential aspects you have to consider before you think of buying a whole home generator;

Power needs- you need to select a generator that is capable of supporting your exact power requirements for a satisfactory power supply performance.

Fuel Source- it is best to select a power source that is readily accessible. A good example of a fuel source is solar.

Cost-effectiveness- You deserve a generator that offers you a perfect balance of affordability and power production. You will also consider a generator that delivers a low operation cost.

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    Peace of mind- A generator that offers automated operation will be good to go, as you are required to make no effort for the smooth transition from the electric grid power supply to the battery backup power supply.

    Home Battery Power Solutions

    Find out the four best home battery power backups that will assure you of a peaceful mind whenever a power outage is experienced. The best Home battery backups include;

    Generac PWRcell

    This is a powerful home battery backup that delivers 9kW of storage capacity. The battery system comes with three lithium-ion battery modules. That means that for every lithium-ion battery, each features a 3.0kWh. This system comes with an inverter along with a battery storage cabinet. The proper equipment of the Generac PWRcell makes it a comprehensive solution for your home backup requirements. You will adore the modular design of this home battery backup that allows it to expand its storage capacity for better performance.

    Tesla Powerkwall +

    Welcome to the world-leading battery backup system that gives you the ease to switch to backup power in your home. The battery system is capable of recharging from solar PV panels, and you can depend on it whenever you experience a power outage. The Powerwall + is designed to deliver an energy capacity of 13.5kWh along with a power rating of 7.6kW. You can have as many Powerwall + batteries as possible, depending on the size of your home.

     Panasonic EverVolt DC Coupled Battery System

    This is a standard battery system model that is DC-coupled; it delivers a storage capacity of 11.4kWh. The modular design of this device comes with an integrated 5.5kW DC 120/240Vac inverter along with an excellent Powerhub programmable controller. This battery storage system is loved for its user-friendly nature, as it features an app that will help you control it. You will be impressed by the long-term reliability it offers.

    Enphase IQ Battery 10T

    You deserve this amazing battery system that delivers a high energy capacity of up to 10.5kW and offers you 5.76kVA at the peak output. You will marvel at how this device is capable of cooling passively without any moving parts or fans. There is a mobile app that lets you control the battery system in your comfort zone. You will need professional installation for you to start enjoying its unmatchable power supply experience.

    FAQs About Home Battery Backup

    What is a home battery backup power supply system?

    A home battery backup power supply system is a machine that stores electrical energy in batteries for use during power outages or when the primary power source is unavailable. It provides a reliable and sustainable source of backup power.

    How does a home battery backup system work?

    These systems store electricity when the grid is operational or when renewable sources like solar panels generate excess energy. During an outage, the stored energy is used to power your home, allowing essential appliances and systems to continue running.

    What types of batteries are used in home backup power supply systems?

    Common types of batteries used in these systems include lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are common due to their high energy density, longer lifespan, and faster charging.

    What size of battery backup system do I need for my home?

    The size of the battery backup system you need depends on your specific power requirements. You should consider the appliances and systems you want to power during an outage and consult with a professional to determine the right capacity for your needs.

    Can I use a home battery backup system with solar panels?

    Yes, many home battery backup systems are designed to work seamlessly with solar panels. They can store excess energy generated by your solar panels during the day for use at night or during power outages.

    How long can a home battery backup system provide power during an outage?

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    The duration of backup power depends on the capacity of the battery system and the amount of energy your home consumes. Smaller systems may provide power for a few hours, while larger ones can keep your home powered for several days if used conservatively.

    BLUETTI AC500 + B300S | Home Battery Backup

    This is one of the greatest home battery backups that will ensure that you will never run out of power supply. The BLUETTI AC500 offers you the ultimate power solutions for your home as it features an expandable power system. The expandable power system will ensure that you can shift the manner in which you harness your solar energy.

    The BLUETTI AC500 comes with a 5000W pure sine wave inverter that is known to take up to 10kW of power surge. This will ensure that your home appliances are kept running, and the functionality is at their optimum levels. If you connect two AC500 units, you will be capable of running 240V appliances with exceptional ease. Choose the BLUETTI AC500+ B300 today!

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    Which power backup is best for home?

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