A customer inspects a Tesla Motors Inc. Powerwall unit in a home.
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After a summer of extreme weather and wildfires, and now at the height of hurricane season, more and more Americans are becoming familiar with another power outage. That means it might be a good time to consider a home backup power storage system.
The prevalence of extreme weather and climate change, the reliability of local utilities, and cost can all play a role in this financial decision.
“Depending on regional factors and the geography and the condition of the infrastructure there, backup power may be warranted,” Benjamin R. Dierker, executive director of the Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure, a research and education organization, said in an email.
In coastal areas, for example, the resilience of storm or seawalls, the quality and capacity of drainage infrastructure and the robustness of the power grid need to be taken into account, he said. In other areas, extreme weather conditions such as high winds, tornadoes and ice can result in falling trees or downed lines – a risk that is significantly mitigated when there are underground utilities instead of overhead lines, Dierker said. Preventive shutdowns due to extreme weather conditions or other factors may also be considered.
As of Sept. 11, there were 23 confirmed weather/climate disasters in the United States with damages exceeding $1 billion each, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information, which has a graphic showing the locations of those disasters. These events included two floods, 18 severe storms, a tropical cyclone, a wildfire, and a winter storm.
Consumers need to consider the following when providing emergency power for their home:
Equipment needed during power outages
“A good first step is to think about what important appliances you’re running on electricity and how long they’ll realistically need to run in the event of a power outage,” said Vikram Aggarwal, chief executive and founder of EnergySage, which helps consumers compare clean appliances Energy solutions for the home.
If you only have minimal backup needs, a small portable generator or fossil fuel battery might be sufficient, which can cost a few hundred dollars. However, if you want your home to function as usual, you should consider the whole house option.
Location can be a factor, as in some areas power is out rarely or only for short periods of time. However, in some states such as California, Texas and Louisiana, things can be completely different. For example, consumers in California can get an up-to-date overview of outages in their region to get a sense of how high their risk might be.
Fossil fuel vs. battery power
If you don’t mind fossil fuel-powered options, you can consider several categories depending on your energy needs. For lower power needs, a portable generator, often powered by gasoline or diesel, can cost a few hundred to several thousand dollars. There are also more expensive portable versions that are typically quieter, more economical, and can potentially power multiple large devices – for longer periods of time. How long depends in part on the devices you are powering.
A whole-house standby generator is permanently installed and switches on automatically if the power goes out. This type of generator often runs on propane or natural gas and the cost varies depending on size, brand and fuel type. There are options ranging from $3,000 to $5,000, but with installation the total amount can be significantly higher. This could be a good option if you anticipate outages lasting several days; In theory, the generator can run as long as fuel is supplied, but it may be advisable to turn it off to cool the engine.
For environmentally conscious people, battery-powered backups can be a good option as they are more environmentally friendly and quieter. For a few hundred dollars, give or take, there are cheaper smaller to mid-sized battery options you can purchase that will last for several hours.
According to EnergySage, there are also battery-powered options for whole-home backup that offer many of the same features as traditional generators, but without the need for refueling. According to EnergySage, consumers could expect to pay $10,000 to $20,000 to install a home battery backup system. This can often take eight to twelve hours, or even longer if you are not using it to power appliances such as air conditioners or electric heaters.
Incentives that reduce acquisition and installation costs
When thinking about what type of backup you should choose, incentives may play a role. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, households can receive a 30% tax credit for a battery storage system, even if it is not coupled with a solar system, Aggarwal said.
Other state and local incentives may also be available. For example, in some markets such as California, Vermont, Massachusetts and New York, utilities pay consumers to use their batteries during peak periods such as summer, Aggarwal said. Consumers with larger batteries — 10 kWh or more — could potentially make hundreds of dollars a year, he said.
Electric vehicles as an emergency power option for the home
Some electric vehicles can be used to secure vital items or, in some cases, an entire home.
According to the company, Ford’s F-150 Lightning, for example, can power a home for three days, and even up to 10 days in certain circumstances. With the necessary system installed and the truck connected, the stored electricity will be seamlessly transferred to the home in the event of a power outage. For its part, GM recently said it would expand its bi-directional vehicle-to-home charging technology to the entire lineup of Ultium-based electric vehicles by model year 2026.
In the past, Ford CEO Jim Farley has spoken about how the F-150 Lightning’s capabilities as a backup power source for homes and construction sites was a real “eye opener” for the automaker.
“If you’re thinking about spending $10,000 on a whole-house gas generator system, why not think about an electric vehicle with that capability instead?” said Stephen Pantano, head of market transformation at Rewiring America, a nonprofit that focused on electrifying homes, businesses and communities.
Consumers looking for a new stove might also consider an induction model with a built-in battery to power it or other appliances like a refrigerator as needed, Pantano said. “This opens up new possibilities for power backup that didn’t exist before.”
Solar-plus-storage can lead to long-term savings
Residential solar panels are becoming increasingly popular, but most are connected to the grid and you need some type of battery storage to have backup power, said Sarah Delisle, vice president of government affairs and communications at Swell Energy, a residential energy solutions provider.
This is where a solar plus storage system can be helpful. It allows people to use the electricity generated by their solar panels during the day at a later date, which can be particularly useful for people who live in areas where power outages are common, said Ted Tiffany, senior engineering manager at the building Decarbonization Coalition. a group that advocates for transitioning buildings away from fossil fuels.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a solar-plus-storage system costs about $25,000 to $35,000, depending on the size of the battery and other factors. It is easier and less expensive to install panels and the battery at the same time, but it is not necessary. According to the Department of Energy, homeowners who already have solar panels installed and want to add storage can expect to pay between $12,000 and $22,000 for a battery. Consumers who purchase a battery alone or with a backup are eligible for federal tax credits. Some states offer additional incentives for solar batteries.
Also consider the long-term savings potential, Tiffany said. He has a family member who spent about $8,000 on a fossil fuel-powered whole-house generator through electrical upgrades. Putting that money into solar energy instead might have been more economical because of the energy savings over time and tax incentives, he said.
Consumers can visit EnergySage to find contractors and get information about solar energy and incentives. You can also visit Switch is On, where consumers can find information about electrification and efficiency measures for home appliances that support renewable energy integration.