How Do You Build a Home Battery Backup System in 2024? Things You to Know

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.

Why do you need to Build a Home Battery Backup System?

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:

1. Consistent Power Supply. Building a home battery backup system means having a power supply even in dire times caused by calamities and aging infrastructure. The stored power in the batteries can be used to keep the lights, internet, refrigerator, gadgets, etc. stay, on.
2. Lower Electricity Bill. A backup battery can also be utilized during high-demand seasons like summer. Using it, the power needed for appliances to run can be divided between the grid, batteries, and solar panels. This means lower power consumption from the grid, hence lower energy bills.
3. Reduced Grid Dependence. Since the power needed can partially be met with the batteries and solar panels, grid dependence will be reduced, increasing clean energy penetration.
4. Increased Home Value. Installing a home battery backup system can raise the value of your property (owing to its green background) and make it more appealing to potential purchasers if you decide to sell in the future.

What to prepare when building a home battery backup system?

When building a home battery backup system, there are several key preparations to consider:

Determine Your Power Needs

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:

Choose the Right Batteries

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.

Choosing the Right Inverter

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.

Designing the System

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.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Home Battery Backup System Building

Here are some of the mistakes you need to avoid when building a home battery backup system

1. Choosing the wrong battery. Make sure to choose a high-quality battery. Our recommendations are the LiFePO4 batteries, which are known for their high energy density, long cycle life, enhanced safety, good temperature performance, and fast charging capabilities.
2. Do It Yourself Mentality. Nothing is wrong with doing it yourself, but this is a delicate matter involving electricity. So, unless you have the experience or background, hire a professional to avoid electrocution or creating a fire hazard.
3. Underestimated Consumption. A backup system is created to meet power requirements in case of outages, so if you underestimate your consumption, the batteries you have might not suffice.

Conclusion

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.