Backup batteries, also known as backup power systems, are emergency energy storage devices that can provide electricity to homes during power outages.
As extreme weather events that can cause extended blackouts are becoming more frequent, backup batteries for homes are growing in popularity as a way to keep essential appliances running. From small portable power stations to whole-home battery systems, home backup batteries are versatile solutions for emergency energy needs and resilience.
This article will provide an expert guide to buying a backup battery for home. The goal is to provide you with enough information to make an informed decision on adopting backup batteries in homes for emergency preparedness and energy independence.
Is a Backup Battery for Home Worth Buying?
What is a backup battery for home?
A backup battery for home is a battery that stores electricity for emergency use during power outages. It works by charging from the electric grid or solar panels when the power is on and then supplying electricity to selected appliances and devices when the main power goes out. This ensures the continuity of vital equipment during blackouts.
The Need to Have a Backup Battery for Home
Power outages are often caused by extreme weather events like storms, floods, and heatwaves which damage power infrastructure. Grid failures and technical faults also frequently disrupt the electricity supply.
When power fails, everyday life can get severely disrupted without a backup source. Lights, phones, refrigerators, medical devices, and other critical equipment will cease to operate. And a backup battery for home is what provides critical power resilience during emergencies.
Though backup batteries involve an upfront cost, they provide self-reliant emergency power year after year. Temporary solutions like generators need recurring expenses for fuel and maintenance. Considering factors like costs over time and blackout risks, a home battery system may provide greater value.
Pros and Cons of Backup Battery for Home
Benefits of a Backup Battery for Home
- Reliable emergency power whenever needed without having to refuel or maintain a generator
- Convenience of automatic switching to battery when an outage occurs
- Eco-friendly solar battery backup when paired with portable solar chargers
- Saves money over 5-10 years compared to repeated generator costs
Drawbacks of a Backup Battery for Home
- High upfront investment to purchase and install the battery system
Is it worth it?
For homes at high risk of power outages or with medically dependent residents, the benefits clearly outweigh the costs. Even if blackout risks are average, the long-term savings and sustainability perks make home batteries a smart investment for many. Key reasons they are worthwhile:
- Peace of mind during emergencies
- Power resilience and independence
- Environmentally responsible choice
- Saves money over time compared to generators
So, for most homeowners, a backup battery for home provides protection, convenience and financial benefits that make it a purchase worth considering.
Applications of Backup Batteries for Homes
Keeping Warm
When cold weather brings power outages, backup batteries can make all the difference in keeping your home livable. Instead of wrapping yourself in blankets and watching your breath freeze indoors, you can run space heaters, electric fireplaces, and other warming appliances thanks to a backup battery for home. This provides enough emergency power to take the bite out of a winter storm.
Rather than panicking about frozen pipes or losing heat midway through a cold snap, the backup battery for home supplies electricity to your essential heating equipment. Depending on the battery capacity, you could potentially power multiple space heaters throughout a multi-room home for hours. This helps maintain a barely tolerable 60+ degrees when grid power fails on a frigid night. You can even use the backup battery to operate furnaces or fuel-powered boilers, ensuring the heat stays on.
Installing a whole home battery backup power supply specifically for winter resilience can give families tremendous peace of mind. No longer do you need to worry as much about power losses during the most electricity-dependent months. You’ll stay warmer and avoid property risks with backup power ready to take over when the grid goes dark.
Powering Parties and Gatherings
A solar power battery backup brings new levels of freedom and reliability for hosting outdoor get-togethers. Without readily available electrical outlets, parties often rely on makeshift solutions like long extension cords. But home backup batteries provide versatile portable power exactly when and where you need it outside your house.
String lights are a perfect example. Rather than crossing your fingers that strand lighting woven through trees stays on all night, connect it to a backup battery for home. Place speakers for music in the yard without worrying about tripping circuit breakers indoors. Keep your electric grill or smoker cooking smoothly during a long BBQ session fueled by your emergency power supply.
For milestone family events like reunions or kids’ birthday bashes, backup batteries mean you don’t have to cut the fun short if the grid goes down. Keep cameras, phones, and other devices charged so you can capture more memorable moments. With portable backup power, you can celebrate from dusk to dawn without electricity access anxieties. It provides the reliability and energy independence to entertain outdoors for hours on end.
Supporting Home Office Work
As remote work becomes more prevalent, home office setups require greater electricity reliability, especially for critical meetings or hitting deadlines. The residential battery backup systems help ensure no Zoom call or collaborative document edit gets interrupted by a power outage.
Without a home backup power supply, losing WiFi and access to devices during a surge in remote workers can severely impact productivity and meet key targets. But a solid backup battery seamlessly bridges the electricity gap, allowing you to finish uploading files or wrap up video conferences without losing connection.
For remote workers on tight deadlines or with back-to-back virtual meetings, backup power offers tremendous flexibility. As long as your battery capacity sustains output, you can work securely through storms or grid failures without panic. It also prevents the stress of rescheduling missed appointments due to sudden power losses at home. You can ensure business continuity with backup batteries filling in when the grid falls short.
Security
Home security systems have become ubiquitous for many households seeking better protection and peace of mind. But even the most robust setups are vulnerable if power outages knock them offline. That’s where reliable backup batteries come in for keeping homes guarded 24/7.
Whether you have an advanced network of outdoor cameras, motion sensor spotlights, or alarm systems throughout your property, depending on fickle grid electricity alone is too risky. Losing power at the wrong moment can create openings for intruders or other external threats. But backup batteries bridge the electricity gap to keep security systems functioning through outages.
Having a secondary power source focused solely on home security allows households to invest in more robust protection with greater confidence it will work even if the lights go dark.
Home Medical Devices
For households with elderly, disabled, or chronically ill members relying on medical equipment, backup batteries can be vital safeguards. Devices like oxygen concentrators, ventilators, nebulizers, and sleep apnea machines may be necessary for health and well-being around the clock. But without a contingency power plan, these life-sustaining devices shut off when electricity fails, putting vulnerable residents at serious risk.
Installing a reliable home backup battery that provides emergency power during outages helps protect access to crucial medical care. It serves as a secondary electricity source to keep medical devices operational through grid failures. Depending on battery storage capacity, it can supply power for potentially life-preserving medical equipment for hours or days at a time when relied upon.
For households worried about power-dependent health needs, investing in backup power solutions brings essential peace of mind. It allows vulnerable residents to shelter safely at home during emergencies that knock out grid power. Backup batteries help maintain health support until primary electricity comes back online or temporary relocation is needed. Having contingency access to medical equipment can make all the difference for families caring for loved ones with significant power-dependent healthcare needs at home.
Why Choose Jackery for Your Home Backup Battery?
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus provides versatile renewable backup power thanks to its expandable 2-24kWh capacity. Six 200W solar panels can fully recharge it in just 2 hours, enabling ultra-fast solar charging. It can reliably power heavy-duty home devices up to 6,000W with advanced LiFePO4 batteries that last over a decade.
Jackery’s patented ChargeShield technology uses a variable-speed charging algorithm that extends battery life by 50%. The high 120/240V power output ensures broader device compatibility through parallel connections. Whether you need to run appliances, medical devices, home office equipment, or security systems, the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus has the reliable capacity and technical innovations today’s households demand.
Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus
For powerful home backup able to maintain essentials for up to 2 weeks, Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus is a leader in renewable resilience. Its expandable 5-60kWh capacity and 120/240V dual voltage provide 7.2-14.4kW of reliable output for larger devices. Rapid 1.7-hour recharges from AC keep your family prepared through extended outages.
Seamlessly powering appliances, heating, security systems and more, Jackery’s next-gen LiFePO4 battery lasts over a decade with replacement options. Safety features like UPS 0ms switchover, IP65-rating, and thermal management give peace of mind your family and home stay protected when you need it. Plus, smart app controls allow easy power monitoring and scheduling right from your phone. For robust home energy independence scaled to your needs, the Jackery Solar Generator 5000 Plus brings elite power and longevity.
FAQs About Backup Batteries for Home
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How long will a backup battery for my home last?
Backup batteries are rated by how many watt-hours (Wh) they can provide. The larger the system, the longer it will power your home’s essential loads during an outage. For example, a 5,000 Wh battery might provide 8-12 hours of backup power, while a 30,000 Wh system could last 2-3 days. Runtime also depends on power consumption – limiting the use of large appliances will extend battery life. Most systems allow adding more batteries to increase capacity.
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Do I need to hire an electrician to install a backup battery for home?
Most small home backup battery systems designed for emergency power can be user-installed without an electrician. Many use plug-and-play connections with integrated inverters to output AC power from the DC battery.
Larger systems may require hardwiring to a home’s electrical panel, which needs an electrician. For example, the Jackery 5000 Plus with smart transfer switch should be installed by certified electricians.
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Are backup batteries for homes maintenance-free?
Home backup batteries require little routine maintenance. The batteries are sealed, spill-proof lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) packs with integrated battery management systems to handle charging/discharging. They have no highly toxic lead/acid to maintain like old-style car batteries. Modern lithium batteries also endure 2,000-3,000 charge cycles for a long, useful life.
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What size backup battery do I need for my home?
Choosing your home backup battery capacity depends on your critical loads and desired runtime during an outage. Make a list of essential loads (lights, fridges, freezers, medical devices, phones, etc.) to determine an appropriate system size.
For most homes, a 10,000 Wh to 20,000 Wh system balances storage capacity, runtimes of 12 hours or more, and reasonable cost. More devices or longer runtimes may require larger systems.
Conclusion
Now you have a clear idea about the benefits of getting a backup battery for home. Keep this in mind and go ahead with buying a reliable backup battery. If you are wondering what backup battery to buy, feel free to explore the options and buy the right backup battery for home from Jackery today!
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