We’ve all been there—going about our day when suddenly, poof, the lights go out, and you’re left in the dark.
It’s not a great feeling, but don’t worry—there are solutions to keep the power on when you need it most.
The good news is having fuel-powered standby generators as your sole choice has passed. Now, quieter and fume-free home battery backups have emerged, promising a permanent presence in the market. Unlike generators that require a continuous supply of fuel—typically propane, diesel, or methane gas, better known as natural gas—batteries eliminate the dangers of carbon monoxide, reduce noise, and cut fuel costs significantly. While solar panels offer a sustainable way to recharge batteries, they also introduce additional expenses.
Batteries and generators are two popular options for backup power, each with distinct operational methods and benefits. Batteries rely on stored electricity to provide seamless power during outages, while generators create electricity by burning fuel. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each option will help you make an informed decision about which backup power solution aligns best with your needs and priorities. Let’s look into into the features and trade-offs of both.
Let’s Dive Into Generators
Standby generators are designed to automatically activate and supply power to your home during outages, seamlessly connecting to your electrical panel to keep essential appliances and systems running. These generators operate on fuel sources like natural gas, liquid propane, or diesel, creating a reliable electricity supply when the grid goes down. Many modern models also feature “dual fuel” capability, allowing them to run on either natural gas or propane, providing greater flexibility based on fuel availability and regional access.
Natural gas and propane generators offer added convenience, as they can often be connected directly to your home’s gas line or propane tank, eliminating the need for manual refueling and ensuring uninterrupted operation during extended outages. Diesel generators, while highly efficient, require regular refueling to maintain continuous operation. This makes fuel management an important factor to consider, especially in areas prone to long-term outages or where diesel fuel delivery may be impacted by weather or supply chain disruptions.
Home Battery Backup Systems
Home battery backup systems, such as the Tesla Powerwall 3 or the Enphase, capture and store energy, offering you a reliable power source during outages. These batteries can draw electricity either from your home’s solar setup or directly from the electrical grid, making them significantly more environmentally friendly than fuel-powered generators. And they could prove to be more economical in the long run.
If your utility company offers a time-of-use billing plan, a battery backup system can help you save on electricity costs. By using stored energy during peak demand hours—when rates are highest—you can lower your bills. During off-peak hours, when electricity prices drop, you can switch back to grid power and recharge your battery at a reduced cost.
For homeowners with solar panels, batteries provide an additional advantage. They can store surplus solar energy generated during the day, which can then be used at night or during times when your solar panels aren’t producing enough electricity, maximizing your self-reliance on renewable energy.
An emerging trend is participation in virtual power plants. This involves allowing utility companies or other entities to manage a portion of your battery’s stored energy. While this means giving up some control over your energy reserves, it can provide financial benefits like earning payments or credits for contributing to the grid during high-demand periods. This dual benefit of saving on energy costs and potentially earning income makes battery systems an increasingly attractive option.
Battery Backup Systems vs Generator: Which is Best?
These pieces of equipment perform the same basic job, keeping the power flowing. But you need to consider the different costs, maintenance requirements, and performance, before deciding which is best for you.
Battery Backup Vs Generator Pricing
Battery backups demand a higher initial investment but offset the ongoing costs associated with fuel consumption in generators. To purchase and install a battery backup system, you might spend several thousand dollars upfront, with prices varying according to the chosen model and the number needed to sufficiently power your residence. Typically, a battery backup system for an average-sized home falls within the $10,000 to $20,000 range.
Standby generators, on the other hand, present a somewhat lower initial cost. The average expense of buying and setting up a standby generator spans from $7,000 to $15,000. Yet, it’s crucial to account for the additional operational costs since generators rely on fuel. These expenses will vary based on your generator’s size, the type of fuel it consumes, and the quantity of fuel it requires for operation.
Battery Backup Vs Generator Installation
Battery backups offer an advantage in installation flexibility, as they can be mounted on walls or floors, fitting into a variety of spaces. Professional installation is important for both batteries and generators, ensuring safety and compliance with local regulations. The process for either option generally takes a full day and can cost several thousand dollars.
For some home batteries, the setup is relatively straightforward, functioning similarly to large portable power stations. These systems often require only the addition of a transfer switch or a smart electrical panel, which an electrician can install with minimal disruption.
Generators demand more extensive preparation. Installation typically involves pouring a concrete slab to stabilize the unit, connecting it to a dedicated fuel source like natural gas or propane, and installing a transfer switch to integrate the generator with your home’s electrical system. While more complex, these steps ensure the generator is ready to provide reliable backup power when needed.
Battery Backup Vs Generator Maintenance
In this comparison, battery backups emerge as the definitive choice for those prioritizing silence, autonomy, and environmental friendliness. They operate quietly, without producing any emissions, and demand minimal maintenance.
Conversely, generators often disrupt the peace with their noise and emit exhaust or fumes based on the fuel type, potentially causing annoyance to both you and your neighbors.
When it comes to sustaining your home’s power supply, standby generators surpass battery backups in longevity. With an adequate fuel supply, a generator can function non-stop for up to three weeks if needed.
However, battery backups like the Tesla Powerwall, with its 13.5 kilowatt-hours of storage, typically only offer a few hours of power independently. Their performance can be enhanced through integration with solar panel systems or by combining multiple batteries, yet they still don’t match the continuous run-time capability of generators.
Battery Backup Vs Generator Lifespan and Warranty
Battery backups generally offer more extended warranties than standby generators, yet the basis for these warranties differs significantly between the two.
Battery backup systems gradually lose their charging capacity over time, similar to the batteries in phones and laptops. These systems come with an end-of-warranty capacity rating, which indicates the battery’s expected efficiency in holding a charge at the warranty’s conclusion. For instance, Tesla pledges that its Powerwall will maintain 70% of its original capacity after 10 years.
Additionally, some battery backup manufacturers provide a “throughput” warranty, which specifies the guaranteed number of cycles, operational hours, or energy output the battery should deliver.
The lifespan of standby generators can be more straightforward to predict. High-quality generators are built to last for around 3,000 operational hours with proper maintenance. So, if you use your generator for 150 hours annually, it could potentially serve you for two decades.
Which Home Energy Backup Is Right For You
In the majority of comparisons, battery backup systems emerge as the superior choice. They boast environmental benefits, simpler installation processes, and more economical operation over the long term. They typically come with more extended warranties than standby generators.
Traditional generators still hold value in certain situations. A single generator can suffice to restore power during outages, reducing initial expenses. Additionally, in prolonged power loss scenarios, standby generators can operate continuously for extended periods, offering a more reliable power solution than battery backups.
For those needing backup power for only a few essentials or for brief durations, a large-scale solution might not be necessary. In such cases, less permanent options like portable generators and power stations could adequately meet less intensive power backup needs.
It really comes down to the level of comfortability you are looking for, at 8MSolar we support battery backup systems from a convenience standpoint. The power goes out, the battery kicks-in.
8MSolar Is Here To Help
The North Carolina solar professionals at 8MSolar are more than happy to help you decide which direction is best for you and your home. There is a lot of information to consider and you need to decide which is most important to you. Give us a call today and we can help you avoid the lights ever going out at home.
