Is a battery system right for your home?
Battery storage systems like the Tesla Powerwall shown here offer homeowners options for dealing with power outages and managing household energy use.
Photo by Tesla
Home battery systems are an intriguing way to manage energy use and keep your residence functioning during power outages, but there are several factors to consider before buying and installing a system in your home.
Some consumers buy battery systems as a quiet alternative to gas-powered backup generators. A battery system can power essentials like the refrigerator and lights during an outage, or power the entire home.
On a day-to-day basis, storage batteries can also help consumers manage their energy use and potentially cut power bills. By charging the battery at night when energy costs are lower and using the power during the day when energy costs rise, consumers can save money and help their cooperative manage energy loads to the benefit of all co-op members.
Battery systems are an important link in making renewable energy like solar and wind a practical source of reliable energy. Batteries make the energy available to consumers when the sun isn’t shining and the wind isn’t blowing.
Depending on the size and features, battery systems can cost between $3,000 and $10,000. Some of the more popular batteries include the Tesla Powerwall, the Enphase AC Battery and Sonnen’s sonnenBatterie.
Consumers should carefully research and consider the battery’s capacity, life cycle and depth of discharge before buying, and understand the limits of any battery system. The energy experts at your local electric cooperative can help you weigh all the pros and cons and determine if a system is right for you, and how to use it safely.