A Complete Guide to Whole-Home Batteries

A whole home battery is an excellent solution if you want to lower your energy costs and protect yourself during a power outage. Many homeowners in California are choosing to invest in these batteries due to the dangers posed by wildfires. When you have a whole-house battery, you can safeguard your home against power outages by having an alternative source of power to rely on when the grid goes down. The electrical professionals at Bonney are here with a complete guide to whole-home batteries.

What Is a Whole Home Battery?

A whole-house battery is a type of battery designed to provide a backup supply of power to a home. These batteries connect to your home’s electrical network to supply power to a select number of circuits or your entire home.

Generally, whole-home batteries provide a backup energy source during an outage or emergency. However, some homeowners also use them to supply their homes with low-cost power during peak consumption times to save money on electricity.

You can find several different whole-house batteries on the market today—including lead-acid, lithium iron phosphate, saltwater, and lithium-ion batteries. Alongside the many battery compositions on the market, you can also choose between various battery sizes. Your battery size should reflect the power your home needs, with larger batteries suitable for homeowners requiring more power.

How Do Home Batteries Work?

When you outfit your home with a whole-house battery, you’ll need to hire a qualified electrician to do the job for you. Since these batteries are connected to your home’s electrical distribution system, DIY installation puts your safety and your home’s energy system at risk. 

Once your electrician connects the battery to your home’s electrical distribution system, the battery will start to charge. This power often comes from a grid or, more often, a photovoltaic (PV) solar system. Many homeowners looking to go green turn to PV solar systems, as they provide a clean energy microgrid to draw power. 

After your home battery is installed and connected to a grid—whether from a solar system or a traditional power grid—it will start to draw and store power. In a power outage, whole-home batteries can often power your home for around 24 hours. However, the length of the power supply will depend on your battery’s size, how many appliances rely on the battery, and the amount of stored energy the battery had at the time of the outage.

Whole-House Batteries vs. Generators: What is the Difference?

Homeowners looking to safeguard themselves from power outages have traditionally turned to generators for their backup energy needs. While whole-house batteries and backup generators provide similar services, they have a few distinct differences that you might take into consideration:

• Energy source: Generators usually source their power from natural gas, diesel, and propane. In contrast, many backup whole-house batteries rely on solar and wind energy. As a result, backup whole-house batteries are often seen as an eco-friendly alternative to generators.
• Energy longevity: Generators are known for longevity, and they can often run for as long as you provide them with fuel. Meanwhile, fully-charged whole-home batteries typically power a home for 24 hours. However, they can offer an unlimited amount of energy when paired with a solar system. For example, if you have solar panels at your home, they will continue to charge your whole-house battery during a power outage—providing you with a source of power that never runs out.
• Maintenance: Home batteries often require very little care, while generators typically need slightly more ongoing maintenance.
• Costs and savings: Generators often offer a lower upfront cost but will cost you more long-term in fuel and maintenance. Conversely, whole-home batteries often offer a higher upfront cost with increased savings throughout their lifespan. 

Do You Need Solar Panels For a Whole-House Battery?

The short answer is no—you do not need solar panels for a whole-home battery. These batteries can be charged from the grid. However, if you have solar panels, whole-home batteries are an obvious choice. They can tap into your solar panels to power your home in the case of an emergency. 

Additionally, you may qualify for bill credits from your utility company if you engage in a net metering program. With this program, you’ll send any excess energy to your utility company for a credit on your bill—essentially buying unused energy from your solar system.

Choose Bonney for Whole-Home Battery Installation and Services in Sacramento

As a leading plumbing and HVAC service company in the greater Sacramento area, Bonney is ready to install a new whole-home battery for you. We have many experienced and certified electricians who can provide a variety of electrical services for your home. Our professionals can also perform an electrical home safety inspection and give you recommendations on the best energy-efficient solutions for your home. 

When you turn to Bonney for whole-house battery installation and other electrical services, you can take advantage of our coupons for an extra deal on our everyday low prices. If you are ready to prepare your home for summer with a whole-house battery, please feel free to contact the experts at Bonney to get started today.