Solar batteries, the heart of a whole house battery backup system, are to be bought with due consideration. This reading will guide you through the entire process of buying a battery backup system that is reliable, cost-effective, and efficient.
How Solar Batteries Work
In simple words, solar batteries do wonders. During the day, when electricity usage is low and solar panel production is high, the excess energy produced by the solar panels will be sent to the grid, in the absence of solar batteries.
If we bring solar batteries into the equation, the excess solar energy produced during the day is sent to the solar battery, which stores it. This stored energy can be used during the night when the solar panels don’t produce anything. The end result: you won’t have to pay your utility bills because your battery backup system is self-sufficient, giving you access to clean energy throughout the day.
Whole House Battery Backup Cost in 2023
Nowadays, you can get a house battery backup in the range of $10,000 to $25,000, delivering 10 kWh to 25 kWh, respectively. However, it all comes down to your budget and preferences. For instance, in just $500, you can power your house with solar energy using small solar panels and high-capacity lead batteries. Or, you can go for the latest technology, LiFePO4, which will cost you the bucks.
Factors affecting the whole house battery backup cost in 2023 will be discussed in greater detail now, as numerous factors come into play.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Whole House Battery Backup
To make an informed decision, you need to first identify your energy requirements. Then, you need to tailor-make your own house battery backup system suiting your needs. The following sections will aid you in making a holistic decision.
Battery Manufacturer
As the case with everything, branding has a huge impact on pricing. For instance, Tesla’s Powerwall costs around $13,000. But, BLUETTI’s AC500 + B300S costs only $4,800 while delivering almost similar performance figures and features. So, you have to purchase smartly by not being blinded by the brand’s reputation, and doing your own research.
Type of Battery (Battery Chemistry)
Battery chemistry has a huge role to play in dictating the efficiency of a battery backup system. A lead-acid battery is the most affordable option, however the technology is almost obsolete now; lead-acid batteries have excessively fewer lifespans at almost a 100. They are more prone to wear and tear, and are relatively inefficient.
Whereas, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are the norm now. Known for their superior innovation and efficiency, this technology goes through thousands of full cycles without a considerable loss in its capacity and efficiency. LiFePO4 batteries are:
- More powerful, having a greater power output.
- More reliable, providing stable and consistent energy at an optimal level.
- Safer, dealing with temperature change well, and having a higher surge rating.
- Longer lasting, as they go through substantially more life cycles without depletion.
Apart from lead-acid and LiFePO4 batteries, there are other battery types having different chemistries:
- Lithium-ion (second to LiFePO4)
- Nickel-cadmium
Good news! LiFePO4 batteries are now more affordable because of their sky high demand. They are the most common batteries found today, being used in EVs and whole home battery backup systems.
For instance, BLUETTI AC500 + B300S is the prime example of a cost-effective LiFePO4 backup battery with 3,500+ life cycles to 80%. It doesn’t hold back in the performance department either, as it provides a 5,000 W power rating with 10,000 W surge protection.
This is not it. You can charge your AC500 + B300S in every way possible:
- AC charging (Max. 5,000 W)
- Solar charging (Max. 3,000 W)
- Generator (Max. 5,000 W)
- Lead-acid charging (12V/24V)
- Multi-charging, AC+Solar (Max. 8,000 W)
- And, you can even charge it with your car’s cigarette lighter
Multiple Charging Modes
AC500 is also 100% modular, giving you the ultimate freedom to attach more battery packs for higher capacity, as per your requirements. Combine up to six AC500 battery packs to get 18,432 Wh of capacity, which is enough to last you a week. Combining 12 units will give an impressive capacity of 36,864 Wh. In case of a long blackout, AC500’s 16 versatile outlets for 99% devices will suit all your needs.
Complete Modularity
With the 5000 W Pure Sine Wave Inverter, you will get consistent power to support all 240 V appliances.
Practicality-wise, this innovative backup battery comes with a Smart App that allows you to monitor and control your backup system through your fingertips. All of this goodness, combined with a 4-year warranty, convenient price, and easy payment options, makes this a no-brainer deal.
Total Power Output Capacity
Before getting into a battery’s power output capacity, and buying your backup battery system, you need to identify your home’s energy requirements. This can be done by identifying the wattage rating of every appliance in your home that will be needed during a blackout, and multiplying the individual wattages with the number of hours that particular appliance will be in use.
This table will help you out, somewhat. It is recommended that you check all the ratings on your appliances for greater accuracy.
|
Household Appliance |
Related Watts |
Starting Watts |
|
Light Bulb |
25-100 |
0 |
|
Ceiling Fan |
75 |
0 |
|
Television |
80 |
0 |
|
Microwave |
600-1000 |
0 |
|
Refrigerator |
700 |
2200 |
|
Air Conditioner |
1500 |
2200 |
|
Washing Machine |
1200 |
2300 |
So, choose a backup battery after identifying and adding up the wattage of every appliance. You are advised to go for a backup battery with an overrated power output to mitigate any inaccuracies during the calculation process because falling short on power output will not suffice during blackouts.
Installation Charges
The best thing about batteries, like AC500, is their ease of installation and maintenance — they require virtually none. You can even make it your DIY project like many people do. These battery packs follow the simple plug-and-play model. However, there are different backup systems for different purposes too. They have enormous installation costs and require proper reinforcement through construction. But, who has the time and money for that?
Electricity Generation During a Breakout
You will not always get connection from the grid, as in the case of blackouts, which are projected to increase with time. So, in the bleak situation of prolonged blackout, you will need to prepare beforehand with considerable battery storage, which can only be made possible by beefing your existing backup battery system by installing more batteries. This is what the majority of homeowners, who install backup battery systems, do.
Like AC500, go for a battery that offers multiple ways of charging it; AC500 has six different ways of charging. You will need all the energy you can get during a blackout.
Are Solar Batteries Really Worth it?
Obviously, installing a solar battery has more pros than cons. Installing a backup battery system is ideal for folks living in areas prone to blackouts, and residents of states that offer battery incentives. They are a wise purchase decision in areas where full-retail net metering isn’t available.
However, if you live in an area that has full-retail net metering, you will be saving (making) the same amount of money that you would by storing energy with a battery. In such a situation, installing a battery will only add a hefty bill to your installation costs.
In any case, installing portable and convenient storage batteries, such as AC500, is a win-win situation because they come with negligible installation costs. And, the simple plug-and-play design allows them to be easily placed and used at home.
And, who says a backup battery system should only be limited to your home? What if you want to go for a picnic in the wilderness? Such plug-and-play systems, having multiple modes of charging, and substantial performance and storage capacities, are portable powerhouses that you can take with you anywhere you like, thanks to their portability.
Final Thoughts
In today’s world, having a backup battery system like BLUETTI’s AC500 is a game-changer because it stores the excess energy produced during the day, powering your entire home at night. Not only is this a cost-effective option, but also good for the environment as your dependence on electricity from the grid becomes null.
