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With the ever-increasing popularity of solar panels, many have excess energy output. So, instead of this power going to waste, more homes now include a home battery backup system for their solar system. This backup system allows the battery to store any power surplus the solar panels produce during off-peak hours. The stored power is a fallback or safety net in times of high demand or power outages since it can provide a consistent electricity supply.
A lot of calamities can happen these days due to extreme climate change, which will result in power interruption in most cases. An aging infrastructure and stronger calamities spell trouble, so you must be ready for power outages. Having a home battery backup system is ideal for the following reasons:
When building a home battery backup system, there are several key preparations to consider:
The first thing you need to know before building a home battery backup system is your power needs. You need to identify the appliances you want to run during an outage. Look for their rated watts and starting watts, then add them up so you can match the overall power needed for the inverter.
Below is the wattage rating of common house appliances:
Appliance
Rated Watts
Starting Watts
Light Bulb
25-100
0
Humidifier
25
0
Laptop
50-300
0
Ceiling Fan
75
0
Television
80
0
Microwave
600-1000
0
Rice Cooker
700
0
Refrigerator
700
2200
Coffee Maker
1000
0
Washing Machine
1200
2300
Air Conditioner
1500
2200
After identifying the wattage of your appliances, you have to identify the batteries that can provide it. To find how much storage you need, have the wattage requirement of the device you want to run and multiply it by how long you want to keep it running. For example, an 80-watt television running for four hours would require a minimum power output of 80W and a storage capacity of at least 320 watt-hours.
Given this, it is not necessary to have an ultra-powerful battery. The key is having batteries that have long life spans, relatively high capacity, and a smart design. This is precisely what Anker 760 expansion battery is. This home backup battery has 2048 watt-hours power capacity, capable of running even appliances up to 2000W. It can be paired with Anker PowerHouse 767 to scale up the battery capacity to 4096Wh.
Batteries and appliances use and generate different kinds of current. Appliances run on alternating current (AC), while batteries produce direct current (DC). Therefore, directly connecting them will not work. This is where an inverter comes in; it converts DC to AC.
To choose the right inverter for powering devices and appliances during a blackout, it's essential to know your household's energy consumption. Add up the wattage of each device you want to power. Remember to factor in surge power, the energy needed to turn an appliance on. Your inverter needs to meet this higher output capacity, not just maintain the lower operating wattage.
Once the inverter, batteries, charge controller, and charging source are settled, a professional can help you connect them and design the backup system. Connect the inverter, charge controller, and charging source to your battery. Then, through a transfer switch (or power input if available), connect your house battery backup system to your home's existing wiring.
Once everything is connected, your home's electrical system should use the backup battery the next time there is a power outage.
Here are some of the mistakes you need to avoid when building a home battery backup system
In summary, a home battery backup system offers an effective solution for uninterrupted power supply during outages. Carefully consider energy needs beforehand. Choose batteries to suit. Evaluate charging methods, ensure safety compliance, and implement proper monitoring and maintenance for optimal reliability.
If you don’t have a home backup power system, you and your family can be vulnerable during a blackout.
You can keep a traditional fossil fuel generator on standby for a power outage. But gas and diesel generators guzzle fuel, produce toxic emissions, and are extremely noisy — not to mention terrible for our planet.
What’s a more eco-friendly alternative?
If you have a knack for DIY projects, you can build your own home battery backup system from scratch. The process requires care, attention to detail, and numerous essential components.
Once you know how to do it, building a home battery backup system can be rewarding and cost-effective.
Check out the step-by-step instructions and see if a DIY home battery backup system is a good fit for you.
If it all seems a bit much, we’ll also explore plug-and-play portable power station options, which are also an excellent alternative to traditional generators.
The United States and the world are experiencing more power outages due to extreme weather. The frequency of blackouts means that it’s no longer just a convenience to have a home backup power solution, but a necessity.
Building a home battery backup system requires more than just a battery and some wires. You need to connect the battery to your electrical panel and ensure compatibility between all system components.
Still, the DIY process doesn’t have to be too complicated. It’s a relatively approachable project for a handyperson with basic electrical knowledge and skills.
To build an effective home battery backup system, you’ll require the following components:
Your home appliances use alternating current (AC) electricity to run. Unfortunately, batteries generate direct current (DC).
You can’t just connect a battery directly to your home circuit board or your appliances. You need to convert the battery power into AC — commonly known as household electricity.
The device that converts DC power to AC electricity is called an inverter.
When choosing an inverter, the first step is determining how much power output you need to produce. An inverter will carry a rating in watts, but unless you know the consumption required by the appliances and systems you want to run during a blackout, the wattage of the inverter is somewhat meaningless.
To determine your household energy consumption, add the wattage of each device and appliance you want to power or charge during an outage. For example, a 2000-watt inverter can only provide electricity simultaneously to appliances with a combined wattage of 2000W or less.
It’s also crucial to keep in mind that many appliances require a higher wattage to turn on than to operate. This is commonly referred to as surge power or starting watts. Make sure your inverter’s output capacity is sufficient to turn your appliances on, not just keep them running.
For your reference, here’s a table showing the average wattage of common home appliances.
Next, you need to choose your battery. You will probably need multiple batteries for a whole house backup power supply.
Battery capacities can range from small, 100Wh batteries to larger, 3.6kWh batteries sufficient to power large appliances. To find out how much power output and storage capacity you need, determine the wattage requirements of the appliances or devices you want to power, then multiply that number by the amount of time you want to be able to run it.
For example, running a 300-watt laptop for six hours would require a battery with a minimum power output of 300W and a storage capacity of 1800 watt hours (1.8 kWh).
If possible, select batteries that reach at least double the storage capacity you need so that you can keep them from discharging below 50% capacity.
Depending on the battery chemistry, “deep discharging” can negatively impact lifespan and performance.
Below are some examples of plug-and-play portable power station battery backup options:
Next, you need a component to charge the batteries. A charger and a regulator can recharge your batteries without overcharging them. Make sure your charger is compatible with the batteries you use, as this will prevent damage to the batteries.
If you consistently drain or overcharge your batteries, you risk permanent damage and diminished efficiency. Measuring and regulating the charge your batteries receive allows you to keep them at their maximum capacity and maximum efficiency between uses.
In a blackout, a fully charged battery will supply you with power for longer periods.
If you’re building a solar home backup system to ensure an off-grid energy supply, you’ll need to purchase solar panels and balance of system components. Make sure the solar panels and battery are compatible.
Options like EcoFlow solar panels are universally compatible, but not all photovoltaic panels are. Unless you buy a plug-and-play solar generator, you’ll also need to ensure the compatibility of the inverter, charge controller, and other balance of system components.
Finally, you need to wire your components together. Connect your battery to the inverter, charge controller, and charging source. Next, connect your home battery backup system to your home’s existing wiring using a transfer switch (or power input if available).
Once everything is hooked up, your home electrical system should draw from the backup battery the next time a power outage occurs.
If you purchase individual components for your battery backup system, you need to ensure those parts are compatible. If you don’t, your battery system will fail before you can even use it.
Similarly, you need to buy quality components. Many people choose the DIY route to save money. However, avoid skimping on the quality of your parts.
The right components will keep your home battery backup system reliable for a much longer time.
Here are the common backup battery chemistry types in order of efficiency (from best to worst)
Unfortunately, the more efficient the battery chemistry, the more expensive the battery is likely to be. Don’t make the mistake of only considering upfront costs, though. Lead acid batteries will quickly need to be replaced — LiFePO4 batteries can last a decade or more.
If you’re building a battery system to meet your backup power requirements, make sure you’re accurate about how much electricity you need to consume during a blackout.
A system built to power your highest-wattage appliance is great if that appliance is all you want to run. If not, you need to make sure you account for all the other appliances and devices you want to run or charge simultaneously.
Add the wattage of all those devices together (don’t forget surge power or starting watts if needed). Aim to exceed your estimated power output and storage requirements by at least 20%, just to be on the safe side.
If you’re concerned about your battery not being large enough, consider the powerful and expandable EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra, which has a capacity starting at 6kWh that can reach as much as a massive 90kWh. Not only that, but it can offer 7.2-21.6kW of continuous AC output. You can add up to 42 400W Rigid Solar Panels to achieve 16.8kW of solar charging potential!
Unless you’re experienced at working with high voltage electrical wiring, hire a professional electrician.
Installing a transfer switch to connect your backup battery to your home circuit panel is a fast and easy job for a professional. If you try to DIY, you could electrocute yourself or create a fire hazard that you may not even know about until it’s too late.
Building a home backup battery system involves numerous steps and selecting multiple compatible components.
There’s a lot of room for error.
Alternatively, you can purchase a plug-and-play solution.
EcoFlow offers solutions to back up and power your entire home in a blackout. Or you can go completely off-grid with solar panels to achieve energy independence:
Your home is at risk of power outages at any time. A backup power supply is the best safeguard against energy vulnerability.
EcoFlow has the products and the expertise you need to keep your appliances running and your lights on — even during an extended power outage.
Reach out today for help with your home backup power needs.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website.
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