A customer is testing a Tesla Motors Inc. Powerwall unit in his home.
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After a summer of extreme weather and wildfires, and now at the peak of hurricane season, another power outage is becoming more familiar to more Americans. That means it might be a good time to consider a home backup energy storage system.
The prevalence of extreme weather events and climate change, and the reliability and cost of local power companies may all factor into this financial decision.
“Depending on local factors, geography, and infrastructure conditions, 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. Stated.
For example, in coastal areas, considerations include the resilience of seawalls and breakwaters, the quality and capacity of drainage infrastructure, and the durability of power grids, he said. In other regions, extreme weather events such as strong winds, tornadoes, and ice can cause fallen trees and downed power lines, but this risk is greatly reduced if utility lines are buried rather than overhead. Dierker said. Preventive shutdowns due to extreme weather or other factors should also be considered.
As of September 11, there have been 23 confirmed weather and climate disaster events impacting the United States with losses of more than $1 billion each. National Environmental Information Center, includes graphics showing the locations of these disasters. These events include 2 flood events, 18 severe storm events, 1 tropical cyclone event, 1 wildfire event, and 1 winter storm event.
Here’s what consumers need to consider about home backup power options.
Appliance needs during power outages
Vikram Aggarwal, CEO and founder of EnergySage, which helps consumers compare clean products, says, “A good first step is to identify your most important appliances that run on electricity, and “Think about how long you would realistically need to operate in the event that something happens.” Home energy solutions.
If your backup needs are minimal, a small portable fossil fuel generator or battery that costs a few hundred dollars will suffice. But if you want your home to operate normally, you’ll need to consider whole-house options.
Location may be a factor, as some areas experience power outages infrequently or only for short periods of time. However, in some states like California, Texas, and Louisiana, it could be a whole different ballgame. For example, California consumers can get the most up-to-date information. power outage Visit your area to understand what the risks are.
Comparison of fossil fuel and battery power sources
If you’re not opposed to fossil fuel-powered options, there are several categories to consider based on your power needs. If your electricity needs are low, a portable generator that runs on gasoline or diesel can cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. There are also more expensive portable versions that are quieter, more fuel efficient, and can power multiple large appliances for longer periods of time. How long depends in part on the appliance you’re powering.
Meanwhile, standby generators are permanently installed throughout the house and automatically turn on in the event of a power outage. This type of generator is often powered by propane or natural gas, and costs vary depending on size, brand, and fuel type. Options range from $3,000 to $5,000, but installation can add up to a much higher total price. This can be a good option if you expect an outage for several days. In theory, the generator can run as long as there is fuel, but it is recommended to shut down the generator for engine cooling purposes.
If you tend to be environmentally conscious, battery-powered backups may be a good option due to their greener and quieter nature. There are small to medium-sized battery options that can be purchased for a few hundred dollars and last several hours with varying degrees of variation.
According to EnergySage, there’s also a battery-powered option that backs up your entire home, offering many of the same features as a traditional generator, but without the need to refuel. According to EnergySage, a consumer may expect to pay between $10,000 and $20,000 for a home battery backup system installation. This condition often lasts 8 to 12 hours, or even longer if you are not using it to power things like air conditioning or electric heat.
Incentives to lower purchase and installation costs
You can take incentives into account when considering what type of backup to choose. Thanks to the Inflation Control Act, households can get a 30% tax credit for installing battery storage, even if it’s not paired with a solar power system, Agarwal 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 customers to use batteries during busy periods like summer, Agarwal said. Consumers with larger batteries of 10 kWh or more could earn hundreds of dollars a year, he said.
EVs as a backup power option for home use
Some electric vehicles can be used to back up essentials and even your entire home.
The Ford F-150 Lightning, for example, can power a home for three days and up to 10 days under certain circumstances, the company says. Once the necessary systems are in place and the truck is plugged in, the stored power will be seamlessly transferred to your home in the event of a power outage. Meanwhile, GM recently announced that it will expand vehicle-to-home bidirectional charging technology to its entire lineup of Ultium-based electric vehicles by the 2026 model year.
Ford CEO Jim Farley has spoken in the past about how the F-150 Lightning’s ability to provide backup power at home and in the field was an “eye-opener” for the automaker.
“If you’re considering spending $10,000 on an entire home gas power system, why not consider an EV with this feature instead?” Focus on electrifying homes, businesses, and communities “We’ve seen a lot of changes in the past few years,” said Stephen Pantano, director of market transformation at Rewiring America, a nonprofit organization that owns the nonprofit organization Rewiring America.
Consumers looking for a new stove may also consider induction models that have built-in batteries to power other items, such as refrigerators, if needed, Pantano said. “This opens up new possibilities for power backup that didn’t exist before.”
Combining solar power generation with battery storage can lead to long-term savings
Home solar panels are growing in popularity, but most are connected to the power grid and require some kind of battery storage for backup power, says Swell Energy, a home energy solutions provider, said the government said Sarah Delisle, vice president of communications and communications. provider.
This is where solar power generation and energy storage systems come in handy. Ted Tiffany, senior technology leader at the Building Decarbonization Coalition, said this would allow people to generate electricity from their solar panels during the day and use it later, especially for people living in areas with frequent power outages. He says it will be convenient. An organization that promotes relocation to buildings that do not use fossil fuels.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, solar power and storage systems cost about $25,000 to $35,000, depending on battery size and other factors. It is easier and more cost effective to install the panel and battery at the same time, but it is not required. Homeowners who already have solar panels installed and want to add storage can expect to pay between $12,000 and $22,000 for batteries, according to the Department of Energy. Consumers who purchase the battery alone or with backup will receive the following benefits: federal tax credit.Some states offer Additional solar incentives.
Tiffany said they also consider potential long-term savings. His family has upgraded their electrical equipment by spending about $8,000 on a home generator powered by fossil fuels. It might have been more economical to put that money into solar power instead, he said, due to the long-term energy savings and tax benefits.
consumers can visit energy sage Find contractors and get information about solar power and incentives. They can also visit switch is onhelps consumers find information about electrification and efficiency of home appliances that support renewable energy integration.
