How much is a battery backup system vs generator?
At some point, the power will go out in your home. Extreme weather events, natural disasters, and aging electricity grid failures could leave your family in the dark at any time.
A home backup power solution can be a lifesaver in any of these situations.
A home battery backup system or a backup generator can both help meet your household’s essential electricity needs in the event of a power outage.
So what’s the better option?
There are advantages and disadvantages to each.
Finding the right home backup solution can give you peace of mind and prepare you for the unexpected at any time of the year.
Here’s what you need to consider to determine which home backup power solution is right for you.
What Is a Home Battery Backup System and How Does It Work?
For many Americans, power outages are a fact of life. On Christmas Eve of 2022, more than 500,000 homes and businesses lost power due to a series of winter storms across the country. With extreme weather events increasing, preparing for potential outages is more crucial than ever. You need to prepare your home to go without power for extended periods — or you need to set up a backup power system.
One attractive option for power backup is a battery storage system. A home backup battery system stores energy for use when you need it. Home backup batteries like the EcoFlow DELTA Portable Power Stations consist of a battery — or series of batteries—that you can connect to either essential appliances or the electrical panel of your entire house.
The number of batteries you’ll need depends on your household’s energy consumption. Identify the critical appliances you need to keep running, add up their wattage requirements, and purchase a battery backup system that will meet your needs. You can build a system like the EcoFlow Whole Home Backup Power Solution to meet your expected usage for an evening — or for days.
Battery backup systems don’t generate power for your home. Instead, they store electricity for later use. You need to recharge the system after each use to prepare for the next time you need it. Most home backup batteries recharge using a standard wall outlet. More modern and versatile options are available that recharge via car adaptors, EV adaptors, or solar panels.
Installation is typically less complex for battery backup systems than for home generators. Just be sure to check the charge levels between uses to avoid running out of power when an outage strikes.
Backup batteries don’t entail any health risks or emit pollution — issues that a traditional fossil fuel-powered standby generator creates for your home. Lithium-ion or LiFePO4 (LFP) batteries run clean and store easily, saving you the headaches of a fossil fuel generator.
As with any home power solution, a backup battery system has pros and cons.
Pros
- Battery backup systems require little to no maintenance.
- Batteries can last for up to ten years of regular use.
- You can add storage capacity to fit your energy needs.
- You save money on fuel costs vs. a traditional gas-powered generator.
- Using a transfer switch, you can restore power immediately if you integrate your backup system with your home wiring system.
- Battery backup systems create little to no noise and no fumes while you use them.
Cons
- You’ll need to hire an electrician to connect your battery backup system and transfer switch to your home’s electrical panel.
- You must recharge the battery to top off the power after each use. If AC charging is your only option, you’ll only have electricity for as long as your battery lasts during a blackout.
What Is a Home Generator and How Does It Work?
A traditional home generator produces electricity by burning fuel rather than storing it for later use. Typically, you connect a generator to your existing wiring and turn it on manually when the power goes out. More sophisticated models may automatically kick in when an outage is detected.
Depending on the type you buy, traditional generators use gasoline, propane, natural gas, or diesel fuel. Bi-fuel and dual fuel generators use a combination of two fuel sources, such as gasoline and propane (LPG). The fuel powers a combustion engine that generates electricity to supply your home or to select appliances. Unlike batteries that only power your home until the charge runs out, a generator keeps going as long as you have fuel to run it.
Traditional generators tend to run through fuel quickly, and operating costs can add up fast.
Home generator sizes range from small portable generators designed to power a few appliances to units designed to power the entire house. Fossil fuel generators must be installed outdoors to limit the risk of exposure to carbon monoxide and other toxic emissions.
(Source: Hearing Health Foundation)
Gas and diesel generators, in particular, are also very noisy. Portable gas generators typically produce between 80-100 decibels (dB) of noise when operating — at least 10 dB above the recommended safety threshold, as shown in the chart above.
By contrast, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro produces less than 50 dB of noise when charging or operating — more than 20 dB below the safety threshold and comparable to average room noise.
Gas generators also emit dangerous fumes like carbon monoxide. Using one indoors can kill you in minutes. Solar generators do not create deadly fumes, making them significantly better for the environment and usable indoors and out.
Unfortunately, traditional generators create significant environmental pollution and can contribute to many health problems over time for your community and your household.
This equation changes with a solar generator, which consists of a solar charging-enabled home backup battery system — commonly known as a portable power station — with solar panels connected to it.
For example, EcoFlow DELTA Solar Generators can use multiple charging methods to recharge, including AC electricity and solar panels. They don’t require fossil fuels to generate electricity.
Solar generators can have incredible solar inputs, too. The EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra boasts 8 charging methods, including solar – and has an massive solar input. You can add up to 42 400W Rigid Solar Panels to achieve 16.8kW of solar charging potential! It can also provide from 6-90kWh capacity – enough for an entire month of home backup. With a continuous AC output of 7.2-21.6kW, it offers plenty of power.
Solar-powered home generators give you the best of both worlds: a virtually noiseless power supply that generates electricity without burning fossil fuels.
Solar power is an inexhaustible, clean, and renewable energy source.
Pros
- Generators produce electricity rather than just storing it
- Some generators kick on automatically during an outage, providing fast or immediate backup power
- Generators add value to your home when installed
Cons
- Traditional gas-powered generators are much louder than home backup battery systems
- Fossil fuel-burning generators produce dangerous toxins and greenhouse gases
- Installation may require more effort and expense
- Traditional generators require to consume and store fuel
- Fossil fuel generators can take up significant space outside your home and require regular maintenance.
- Traditional gas generators require more maintenance than battery storage solutions
Battery Backup vs. Generator: How Do They Compare?
The right choice for home backup power solutions isn’t necessarily the same for everyone. Your individual requirements and budget help determine which option makes more sense for you. With that in mind, a head-to-head comparison can help you find the right product.
Price
A backup battery system is typically more expensive than a fossil fuel generator in up-front costs. A battery system with enough capacity to power your home might run between $10,000 and $20,000, while a generator typically costs between $7,000 and $15,000. In both cases, that cost varies depending on the size of the system or generator; a higher capacity will cost more.
Installation
Most of the time, you will want to hire professionals to install your backup power supply. Installing a fossil fuel generator is more involved; you need to find space for it outside, make sure it’s protected from the elements, pour concrete, and connect a transfer switch. You may also need to connect it to a fuel line (for natural gas).
A home backup battery system can be integrated into your home’s existing wiring or used to plug your appliances into directly. You can keep it inside because it’s quiet and doesn’t produce toxic emissions. Installation typically requires minimal effort and expense compared to a fossil fuel generator installation.
With some battery systems, like the EcoFlow Whole Home Backup Power Solution, the installation is as simple as connecting the battery to a transfer switch or power inlet box — a job that will take a professional just minutes.
Maintenance
Backup battery systems come out way ahead on maintenance. A fossil fuel generator requires regular maintenance; you want to get your unit serviced annually, at minimum, to ensure everything is running correctly.
Backup batteries require almost no maintenance as they have few (if any) moving parts. As long as you keep them charged, you can use many battery-powered systems for years without maintenance.
Lifespan
A fossil fuel generator might last from 20 to 30 years with regular maintenance and intermittent use. More frequent operation will lower the lifespan.
Home battery backup systems typically last between 5 to 15 years before their efficiency starts to diminish.
Reliability
Some generators kick in automatically during a power outage and last as long as you have fuel to keep them running. If you purchase a backup battery system that supports solar charging — like EcoFlow’s portable power stations — you can pair your battery storage with solar panels to create a solar generator. Going solar means you don’t have to store or pay for fossil fuels to keep your home powered.
Unless you hook up a traditional generator or battery backup system directly into your home electrical circuit, you’ll need to manually switch the device on and potentially plug your essential appliances into the unit. Manual operations such as this mean at least a few minutes of interruption in the electricity supply.
Some options, like EcoFlow Power Kits, can integrate directly into a home or RV’s main circuit for uninterrupted power and increased reliability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Battery Backup Better Than a Generator?A backup battery requires less maintenance and eliminates fuel costs compared to traditional backup generators. Set-up is easier, and you’ll have a clean, environmentally friendly backup power option. However, a generator can provide power longer, as long as you have enough fool or solar power to keep it running.
Are Battery Backups Worth It?Backup batteries are a smart investment. You can customize your backup battery system to meet your individual home’s electricity demands. Over time, the difference in fuel costs will usually more than make up the difference between the up-front cost of a traditional generator vs. your battery system (especially if you can add solar panels for solar charging).
Which Home Backup Power Solution Is Right for You?
The right solution depends on your individual requirements and budget.
Backup battery systems don’t necessarily require fuel and or regular maintenance. They’re much better for the environment and don’t require you to purchase fossil fuels.
On the other hand, if you live in an area where frequent, extended power outages occur, a generator can provide enough electricity to keep your home running longer — as long as you have enough fuel or solar power.
If you are looking for a convenient, environmentally-friendly solution for your home backup power needs, a battery-powered system is a better choice in the long run. A battery system paired with solar panels delivers the benefits of a traditional generator without the noise, toxic emissions, or fossil fuel consumption.
With extreme weather events only getting worse and more frequent, backup power for your home is essential. The EcoFlow Whole Home Backup Power Solution provides a robust, environmentally friendly option for power outages.
Determine the size and capacity you need to power your home or essential appliances, and be ready to face most blackout scenarios without fear.
When the power goes out in your area, what are your options? Unless you have backup power at your home, it’s likely you’ll be sitting in the dark.
Fortunately, dozens of backup power options are available to choose from – including propane, diesel, natural gas-powered generators, and solar battery systems.
When you find the right solution for your home, you get the peace of mind that comes with knowing your household will keep running, even if the grid goes down.
Here at Sandbar Solar & Electric, we’ve helped thousands of homeowners turn to solar and battery backup on the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Coast in California, so we know a thing or two about the value of a good backup system.
In this post, we’ll discuss the differences between solar battery backup systems and generators and help you understand which is right for you.
Let’s dive in!
Key Takeaways
- While generators are initially more affordable, they require continuous maintenance and fuel expenses quickly add up. Solar batteries, though pricier at the start, require little maintenance and provide substantial long term energy savings.
- Generators, often loud and polluting, contrast sharply with the hushed efficiency and eco-friendliness of solar batteries, which harness renewable energy.
- In the realm of reliability, solar batteries shine, offering seamless power during outages and potentially boosting your home’s market value. They’re also a gateway to attractive tax incentives and rebates, especially in California.
- If your home’s power needs are strictly emergency-based and solar isn’t in your plans, a generator might be your go-to. However, for those leaning towards a greener, low-maintenance solution, solar + batteries are the way to go.
What is a Generator?
Generators and solar battery systems both provide backup power in the event of an outage. The way they do it, though, is very different.
Generators are the type of backup power systems most people are familiar with. Today, most generators run on liquid propane, natural gas, or diesel.
Freestanding generators sit outside the home and either turn on manually or include sensors that detect outages and turn the generator on automatically
Compared to solar battery backup for power outages, generators are more affordable on the front end.
Despite the low upfront cost, though, generators require regular maintenance and typically come with small recurring costs. Generators typically require weekly self-tests and need continual refueling to run during outages.
They produce sound when they are running as well as exhaust that is harmful to the environment.
When a generator is maintained regularly, it can last for 10+ years.
Here are a few of the pros and cons of backup generator systems:
Pros:
- Generators are more affordable upfront than solar batteries. However, solar batteries save a household money over time and there are many rebates and incentives available that can lower the upfront cost.
- Generators are easy to connect to existing natural gas lines.
- Generators provide round-the-clock power, as long as they have an ample fuel supply.
- Generators are available in a variety of sizes, from small, portable units to whole-home systems.
Cons:
- Most generators are noisy to operate.
- Even high-end generators require annual and monthly maintenance.
- Generators require fuel to operate, which means they are not eco-friendly.
- Fuel left too long in a generator can go stale, causing problems with the equipment and additional repair costs.
- Generators create emissions during operation, creating an unpleasant smell and a high carbon footprint.
What is a Solar Battery Backup?
Solar battery backup systems run on electricity and are charged by a connection to the home’s solar energy system.
The batteries store excess energy produced by solar panels and save it for later use.
Some of the most common types of battery backups available today include:
- Tesla Powerwall
- Enphase
- Panasonic
- Generac
Solar battery storage systems are popular because they are reliable.
When the grid goes down, a solar-powered battery backup system will draw stored energy from the batteries to power your home with no interruptions or downtime.
In addition to providing unparalleled reliability, battery backup systems are cleaner and quieter than generators and are also a more environmentally-friendly option.
Pros:
- Battery backup systems operate almost silently.
- When combined with solar, battery backup systems run entirely on renewable energy, which means you don’t have to spend money on dirty, expensive fuels.
- Battery backup systems increase your home’s daily solar consumption.
- Installing a battery backup system can increase the value of your home.
- Some systems qualify for state and federal tax credits in California.
- Battery backup systems offer low maintenance requirements and a long lifespan.
- These systems operate seamlessly during grid outages.
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost.
- Systems have limited power capacity.
Which is Most Cost-Effective?
The exact amount you’ll pay for backup power depends on your home’s size and energy needs. According to HomeAdvisor, the typical price range for a generator system is $1,413-$7,594, and installation costs vary and may add upwards of $10,000 or more to the total cost. Most of these generators are powerful enough to run a typical home during an outage.
By comparison, solar battery backup systems start at around $9,000, not including installation costs.
If you’re budgeting for a battery backup system, you can expect to spend between $25,000 and $30,000 including batteries, installation, and other equipment.
Fortunately, incentives and rebates can help you access a solar battery backup system.
Don’t let the upfront price deter you, though. Financing programs are available for qualifying applicants, and battery backup systems offer long-term savings that generators don’t.
When you purchase a generator, you need to buy fuel, perform monthly and annual maintenance, and replace the generator at the end of its lifespan.
On the other hand, battery backup systems pair with solar energy systems to create a renewable power source. Over time, this can save you thousands of dollars on your electric bill.
Installing a battery backup system may also allow you to access federal and state tax incentives or participate in the SGIP Equity Resiliency program – which we’ll discuss more below.
Solar Battery Backup vs. Gas Generator: Which Option is Best for Me?
Now that you have the background on each option, which is right for you? Here’s our recommendation:
Buy a Standby Backup Generator if…
A standby backup generator is an ideal solution if you don’t mind the noise and maintenance required, you only want a system that can provide emergency power, and you have no intention of installing solar panels in the future.
If your home has an existing natural gas line, installing a standby generator may be relatively straightforward.
Buy Solar Battery Backup if…
Solar battery backup is an excellent option for customers who want a backup system that can work with an existing or future solar energy system.
A battery system is right for those who prefer a quiet, low-maintenance, reliable, and environmentally-friendly solution.
Consider investing in a battery backup system if you want to keep the lights on and power essential home appliances during a grid outage and also reduce peak electricity charges.
Limited-Time Rebates for Battery Backup
Solar battery backup systems create energy resiliency, which is something the state of California is very invested in right now.
As a result, certain households who install a solar battery backup system may be eligible for a limited-time rebate under the existing equity resilience Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP) allocation.
This program benefits those living in a fire zone who are also on a Medical Baseline Rate Program. Funds are going fast, but the program funds 80-100% of total project costs if you qualify.
There are also rebates available for those in a fire zone who are not on Medical Baseline. Additionally, officials expect one last rebate bucket for battery customers not in a fire zone or on Medical Baseline.
This rebate offer will cover about 10-15% of project costs.
Thinking of Getting a Solar Battery Backup? We Can Help!
Now is an excellent time to invest in a solar battery backup system for your home, and Sandbar Solar is here to help.
Our team has over 15 years of experience designing battery systems and can install new battery systems or retrofit existing solar panel systems for a battery backup.
We service homes and businesses across the San Francisco Bay Area and Central Coast.