Buying ahome batteryisn’t like shopping for arefrigerator,ovenorwasherand dryer set.
They aren’t appliances you might just plug in.
Plus, they can be a large investment, so you certainly want to do your research.
Can solar panels save you money?
Interested in understanding the impact solar can have on your home?
Enter some basic information below, and well instantly provide a free estimate of your energy savings.
However, there are still some fundamentals to know about what makes a good home battery.
These are some of my home battery must-knows to help you sort through your options.
The higher the number, the more energy it can stash away.
But just because a battery has a high capacity rating doesn’t always mean it’s your best option.
What you should really concern yourself with is finding the right size battery for your household’s energy needs.
Your installer should be able to walk you through the recommended energy storage capacity for your home.
Maximum capacity is the total amount of energy the battery is able to store.
Letting your battery reach zero isn’t good for its long-term health.
Sectioning off some of the capacity ensures your battery will never actually reach zero.
The higher the number, the more of your home you’ll be able to back up.
But don’t get too excited.
What you really want to pay attention to is the battery’s continuous power rating.
Expect this number to be quite a bit lower than the maximum rating.
TheTesla Powerwall, the most popular home battery, had a major power upgrade between product generations.
Out of all three, the cycle/throughput clause is the most important.
Most battery warranties last for 10 years.
Some batteries will come with a 12 or even a 15-year warranty, but those aren’t as common.
Don’t get too excited.
There are all sorts of clauses and exceptions inside the fine print that can end your warranty much earlier.
Cycles: Cycles (and throughput) are the most important things to look for in your warranty.
Every time you drain and recharge your battery, it completes a cycle.
Manufacturers will warrant your battery for a designated amount of cycles, which is essentially its estimated lifespan.
The higher the cycle count, the longer its estimated lifespan.
Once your battery delivers the listed throughput, your warranty expires.
Capacity guarantee: Your battery’s total capacity will depreciate over time.
To help compensate for this degradation, most warranties will include some sort of end-of-warranty capacity guarantee.
Modularity
Many battery manufacturers have adopted modular designs for their newer home battery systems.
Think of these modules as building blocks.
The biggest advantage modular systems bring to the table is that they offer customizable and expandable energy storage.
You won’t need to buy another giant battery.
However, if you reach the maximum allowed capacity on one system, you’ll have to buy another.
Manufacturers and installers like modular systems because they tend to be easier to install.
Modular systems also tend to be easier to repair.
Things get a bit easier with a modular system.
If something goes wrong with a battery module, it’s not going to shut down the entire system.
In most cases, the installer will just need to replace the broken module versus the entire system.
How the battery is priced
This is where things get a bit tricky.
The good news is thecost of home batteries has gone downwithin the past few years.
The bad news is that they’re still extremely expensive.
The most expensive thing by far is the battery itself, often costing $10,000 or more.
To get the most accurate pricing estimate, you’ll need to speak with an installer.
The additional system costs and installation are likely going to cost additional thousands.
That’s not too terrible, all things considered.
It’s also worth noting that this estimate doesn’t include any federal, state or local financial incentives.
