Battery Backup and Generators

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10 Advantages of Home Battery Backup Over Generators

In today's world, an increasing number of homeowners are turning to home battery backups to maintain power during outages. This is especially prevalent in California, where Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) implemented by utility companies to mitigate wildfire risks have disrupted the lives of countless residents. Traditionally, homeowners relied on backup gas generators to cope with grid failures, but advances in modern technology have revolutionized the market. Combining solar power with battery backups offers a safer, cleaner, and more dependable solution. Here are 10 reasons why home battery backups are a superior choice to traditional generators.

1. Silent Power for Your Home

If you've experienced the loudness of a generator, you know how disruptive it can be. Generators can produce noise levels reaching up to 8.5 decibels, placing them in a range comparable to the loudness of a police whistle or lawn mower. This level of noise not only irritates you and your neighbors but has been linked to numerous negative health effects such as hearing loss, sleep disruption, cardiovascular disease, decreased productivity in work and school, increased stress, and even changes in social behavior. Given the stress that power outages already bring, the additional noise from generators can make the situation worse, which explains why many homeowners associations and local regulations prohibit their use.

On the other hand, home battery backup systems offer a quiet solution. These batteries operate silently, so you wouldn't even notice they are powering your home, even if you were standing right next to them. This tranquility is something your family and neighbors will undoubtedly appreciate.

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2. Clean Energy-Powered Home Battery Backup

Diesel generators release harmful gases such as nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter, along with other pollutants. Similarly, propane and natural gas generators can produce dangerous emissions.

Just as running a car engine in an enclosed garage is perilous, having a generator near your home can pose a similar threat.

During Hurricane Irma's impact on Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina in 2017, carbon monoxide poisoning from generators led to more fatalities (16) than the storm itself (11).

This is part of a broader pattern, with portable generators linked to 900 deaths and 15,400 hospitalizations from 2005 to 2017.

Batteries offer a cleaner alternative, as they produce zero emissions and are fully sealed, ensuring the safety and well-being of your family.

3. Compact Batteries Outclass Bulkier Generators

While certain portable generators are compact, built-in generators—comparable in function to home battery backup systems—tend to take up a lot of space in your yard. Installing one of these may also involve laying a large concrete pad for support.

On the other hand, backup battery storage can be conveniently mounted on a wall and avoids the need for additional construction. These batteries are slim, protruding just a few inches from the wall, and can easily be positioned near other equipment such as your solar panels or garage storage.

4. Home Battery Backup Activates Immediately

Top-tier backup generators often require a few seconds to start up when an outage occurs, potentially leaving children anxious and causing disruptions to clocks and electronic devices.

When relying on a portable generator that must be connected manually, you may find yourself having to operate it during a storm or heatwave, adding stress as your appliances shut down and reset.

On the other hand, circuits backed by battery systems shift immediately to battery power during an outage, with the batteries responding within milliseconds. This seamless transition is usually undetectable, keeping clocks running smoothly.

Tesla experienced an issue with its Powerwall system where the batteries kicked in so rapidly that homeowners weren't even aware of power loss. Consequently, Tesla added a feature to its mobile app to notify users of any detected outages.

5. Dependable Battery Backup

One of the main benefits of electric vehicles is that they eliminate the costly ongoing maintenance associated with internal combustion engines. EVs eliminate the need for regular oil changes, making them a convenient choice.

Similarly, home backup batteries offer lower maintenance needs compared to generators. Generators often need to run monthly to ensure smooth operation and may require annual professional inspections. This routine upkeep can add to their long-term costs and the risk of failure when you need them most.

In contrast, battery storage is practically maintenance-free. Beyond an occasional wipe down to maintain a clean appearance, these batteries operate reliably throughout their lifespan without requiring ongoing servicing.

You can have peace of mind knowing your home battery backup is always ready to safeguard you and your family whenever necessary.

6. Home Battery Backup Is Earthquake Resistant

7. Infinite Energy with Solar and Battery Pairing

Portable generators are constrained by the quantity of fuel available for backup power. Once your reserves of diesel or propane are depleted, the generator will cease operation, leaving you without power. The exception to this is natural gas generators, which can draw fuel from a continuous underground supply.

On the other hand, when a battery storage system is combined with solar panels, the setup can operate indefinitely. By balancing your household's energy consumption with the daily output from your solar system, the battery can recharge itself continuously.

This setup can potentially eliminate dependence on the grid, offering a reliable alternative during power outages and providing long-term savings on electricity costs.

In areas susceptible to earthquakes, such as California, one of the immediate actions by the local utility company following a quake is to halt natural gas service. This step is crucial to avoid fires from damaged gas lines but can render a built-in gas generator useless since its fuel supply will be cut off. In contrast, battery backups are not affected by this interruption and can continue to provide power.

8. How Home Batteries Reduce Your Energy Bills

A backup generator serves its purpose solely during power outages, and even if you face three complete days of lost power annually, that's under 1% of the year. Investing thousands of dollars in such a device offers minimal long-term benefits.

On the other hand, solar panels and battery systems are useful year-round, helping you cut costs by managing energy use and taking advantage of off-peak rates, significantly lowering your electricity expenses. Moreover, these systems continue to provide power during outages, ensuring your home remains operational.

9. Uninterrupted Power Supply Ensures Energy Autonomy

The concept of achieving energy independence resonates with many homeowners who wish to produce their own power and rely less on the electric grid, aligning with the American ethos of self-sufficiency. By using solar panels paired with battery storage, individuals can generate, store, and utilize their own electricity, significantly cutting down on their reliance on local utilities. This setup not only empowers homeowners but can also strengthen the resilience of the local grid. For instance, during California's historic heatwave in early September 2022, approximately 80,000 residential solar-powered batteries contributed nearly 340 MW of power—equivalent to a mid-sized power plant—to help prevent rolling blackouts.

10. Encouraging Battery Backup with Incentives

Generators are basic devices without any integration capabilities with the electric grid. For electric utilities, it doesn't matter whether you have a generator or not.

Battery storage, on the other hand, is equipped with intelligent technology that can instantly supply power as needed. This is beneficial for both homeowners and utilities, which explains the range of incentives available for installing home battery backup systems at federal, state, and utility levels.

In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, National Grid’s ConnectedSolutions battery program allows homeowners to earn $275 per kW of energy they contribute back to the grid during peak summer hours.

Similarly, Vermont’s Green Mountain Power provides homeowners up to $950 per kW of installed battery storage—equivalent to $9,500 for a 10 kW battery system.

At the state level, California's Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) offers rebates of up to $1,000 per kWh of installed battery storage, often covering the total cost of home battery backup systems.

At the federal level, thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, battery storage is eligible for a 30% federal tax credit through 2032. Starting in 2023, battery storage systems can qualify for the tax credit even if they are not connected to a solar power system.

Why Home Battery Backup Outshines Traditional Generators

Home battery backup provides multiple benefits compared to traditional generators, including lower maintenance and cleaner energy. Additionally, various incentives can help offset the initial investment, making them more affordable for homeowners. As more people opt for battery solutions to fulfill their backup power requirements, the positive impact on public health and efforts to combat climate change is something worth celebrating.