Is a battery backup right for you?
May 2024
As the name implies, battery backup systems like Tesla’s Powerwall are essentially high-capacity batteries that store a set amount of electricity, which you can then use to power your home in the event of an outage. (Photo Courtesy Tesla, Inc.)
by Scott Flood, Contributing Columnist
We all depend on electricity more than ever before, which is why even the briefest service interruption can be incredibly frustrating. It’s no wonder many homeowners are taking a closer look at the latest battery-powered systems as backups during outages.
Battery technology has advanced significantly in recent years, with batteries able to hold more electricity, even as they shrink in size and cost.
As the name implies, battery backup systems are essentially high-capacity batteries that store a set amount of electricity, which you can then use to power your home in the event of an outage. Some are constantly charged by the power grid, while others rely on solar panels for recharging.
Some battery-powered systems are constantly charged by the power grid, while others rely on solar panels for recharging.
Traditional standby generators use small internal combustion engines fueled by natural gas, propane or diesel. They can be connected to your home’s electrical panel and kick on automatically whenever the flow of electricity stops.
When a power outage occurs, battery backups start instantaneously, unlike generators which may take a few moments to spool up before reaching operating speed. Battery backups also don’t need regular maintenance like oil changes or spark plug replacements, and there’s no need to store fuel.
Of course, battery-powered generators do present some disadvantages. The amount of power they deliver is limited by the capacity of their batteries. When they’re out of electricity, they may need hours of recharging before being used again, so they’re not well-suited for lengthy outages.
Generally, batteries also require long charging times, so if an initial outage is quickly followed by another, they may not be ready to respond quickly after the first incident.
Portable, battery-powered backups can be used indoors to power smaller appliances, like your laptop, TV or microwave. (Photo Courtesy Goal Zero)
Like the one in your mobile phone, batteries in these systems can also degrade over time. In five or 10 years, they may need to be swapped out with new batteries, adding to the overall cost. Being able to recharge battery backups with solar panels appeals to many homeowners, but the performance will depend upon the amount and angle of sunlight falling upon your roof.
So, is a battery-powered backup system right for your home? The answer is different for every homeowner.
Whether you choose a battery backup or a traditional standby generator, make sure it’s designed to protect your home and all your electronics from power surges and other issues that may damage your TVs, computers and other sensitive electronics. That way, you won’t have to worry about remaining without them long after an outage has ended.
Scott Flood writes for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.