Home Backup Power: What to Consider Before You Buy

Navigation

Cost
Power requirements
Installation and maintenance
Environmental impact
Write to the end

Having a reliable source of backup power for your home is crucial when storms or other power outages occur. Whether you need to keep the lights on, refrigerators running or sump pumps operating, a backup power system can ensure you maintain critical power during an outage.

When the lights go out, you have two main choices for homesick power - the noisy, smelly gas generator or quiet, sustainable battery storage.

On the other hand, there's the modern marvel of battery storage. No fuel, no fumes, just quiet rechargeable cells sitting innocently indoors until called into action. Hook them up to your electrical panel and they'll pump out DC current for days. A bit pricier up front but really a set-it-and-forget-it solution. Until the batteries die and you're left with a heap of toxic waste.

So which do you choose? The old school gas guzzler or futuristic energy saver? It depends on what's important to you.

If budget and ease of setup reign supreme, the generator may be hard to beat. But if you want silent, sustainable backup power that's always ready with zero effort, battery storage may be the smarter long-term solution.

Things like cost, power requirements, installation demands, maintenance needs, environmental impact, and available features all play a role in choosing the right system for your home.

In this guide, we'll walk through the major points you should evaluate to determine which home backup power option is the best fit for your specific situation. By assessing your power needs, budget, installation constraints and preferences, you'll be able to make an informed decision that meets your long-term backup power goals.

Cost

The total cost of ownership is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing between generator and battery backup systems. While generators tend to have a lower upfront cost, they incur higher ongoing expenses for fuel, oil changes, and routine maintenance. Over the typical 10-15 year lifespan of a generator, these operating costs can significantly outweigh the initial purchase price.

By comparison, battery storage systems generally have a higher upfront price tag but require very little maintenance and incur no fuel costs during use. This results in a lower total cost of ownership over time. However, the higher upfront investment for batteries may be difficult for some homeowners.

Evaluating factors like how often you expect to use your backup system, fuel and maintenance costs for a generator, and the lifespan of battery components can help you determine which option is likely to provide the best overall value for your budget and needs. Battery storage systems are steadily becoming more affordable, but for homeowners on a strict budget, generators may still offer the lowest initial barrier to reliable backup power.

Power requirements

Sizing your backup power system correctly based on your home's essential power requirements is another critical consideration. For a generator, add up the running wattage of each item on your list. Then bump that total up by at least 20% to account for power surges when multiple appliances kick on. This buffer will help ensure the generator can reliably handle your needs.

With battery storage, determine how many hours per day each essential item will likely run during an outage. Add up the daily power consumption in kilowatt-hours (kWh) of all those items.

Then choose a battery system with a storage capacity at least 20-30% larger than that total kWh demand. The extra buffer will help compensate for battery degradation over time.

Larger batteries provide more backup time but cost more upfront and take up more space. Start with a size that just meets your basic needs, then consider expanding the system later if desired.

Installation and maintenance

Installation and maintenance requirements are another major differentiator between generators and battery storage systems.

Generators typically require extensive setup:

They must be located outdoors and connected to a fuel source (gas can or fuel line).
Wiring to a transfer switch is needed to safely connect the generator to your home's electrical panel.
The generator must be tested regularly to ensure it will work properly during an outage.

By contrast, battery storage systems require no setup once professionally installed. They're always ready to provide backup power on demand.

Batteries also need little to no ongoing maintenance over their lifespan. Replacing battery components may be needed every 10 to 15 years, depending on usage.

In contrast, generators require regular maintenance like oil changes, air filter replacements, and fuel treatments. Neglecting this routine maintenance can shorten their lifespan.

Environmental impact

Environmental impact is another factor to weigh when choosing between generator and battery backup systems. Generators produce noise, vibration, and emissions during use from combusting fuel. This can be disruptive for neighbors and potentially harmful to air quality over time. Properly maintained generators do produce fewer emissions, but they still rely on finite fossil fuels.

By contrast, battery storage systems have no emissions, fuel consumption, or noise when providing backup power. However, the manufacturing and disposal of batteries does place environmental burden on raw material extraction and waste processing. When evaluating the overall environmental impact of each option, the lack of emissions and fuel consumption during the operational lifespan of battery storage systems often makes them the more sustainable choice for reliable home backup power. However, the raw material and end-of-life impacts of large battery systems should also be considered.

Write to the end

In summary, a variety of factors should be considered before choosing a generator or battery storage system for reliable home backup power. Evaluating the total cost of ownership, power requirements, installation demands, maintenance needs, and environmental impact will help you determine the best option.

When you think about reliable home backup power, chances are a gas-guzzling generator isn't the first image that comes to mind.

Meet Zendure.

These tech-savvy problem solvers have created a range of battery backup solutions that offer many advantages over traditional generators:

Zero emissions - No noise, fumes or carbon footprint during use
Low maintenance - Batteries require almost no upkeep once installed
Flexibility - Power both AC and DC devices
Safety - Advanced BMS limits risks of fire or explosion
Intelligence - Remote monitoring and controls via smart app

From their whole-home SuperBase V backup power systems with up to 64kWh of storage to their portable SuperBase Pro power stations, Zendure has a backup solution for any power need.

Their home battery options offer:

Power for most/all of your essential appliances during an outage
Reliable, worry-free performance
LFP battery for long life and stability

While their portable power stations provide:

Emergency backup power on the go
The ability to charge devices anywhere
Compact designs that slide easily into a backpack

With cutting-edge technology, smart features and eco-friendly design, Zendure is reimagining how we think about home and portable battery power.

Instead of noisy, polluting generators, their advanced systems offer silent, simple and sustainable energy you can count on when the power goes out.

Your cart is currently empty.