Modern technology has fundamentally transformed this market, and solar paired with battery backup is the safer, cleaner, and more reliable option. Below we will discuss of a battery backup vs a traditional generator.
Backup generators are loud, expensive to run, require regular tests to ensure proper operation, and are not considered environmentally friendly. But those aren't the only reasons that solar battery storage systems are becoming a popular replacement for generators.
Generators Are Loud
If you’ve heard a generator before, you know that they are horrifically noisy. In fact, generators can operate at up to 8.5 decibels, which ranks somewhere between a police whistle and lawn mower.
Not only is this annoying (for you and your neighbors), studies dating back to the 1960’s have tied noise pollution to:
- Hearing loss
- Sleep disruption
- Cardiovascular disease
- Reduced productivity in work and school
- Negative social behavior
- Annoyance reactions
Power outages can already be stressful situations, and generators can compound that stress. It’s no wonder, then, that generators are in violation of many HOA bylaws and city ordinances.
By contrast, home battery backup is completely silent. You wouldn’t be able to tell that your battery storage system was powering your home if you were standing right next to it.
Your family and your neighbors will thank you for keeping the peace.
Clean Energy
Diesel generators emit nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, and other hydrocarbons. Propane and natural gas generators emit dangerous emissions as well.
We all know how dangerous it would be to lock yourself or your family in your garage with your car engine running, so the thought of generator emissions right next to your home should be similarly unappealing.
Batteries emit no emissions of any kind. They’re completely sealed and will have no negative impacts on your family’s health.
Infrastructure Requirements
Generators typically require substantial infrastructure in order to operate. For this reason, a home battery could be the better choice due to the convenience of installation.
For example, Tesla Powerwalls have a sleek design that’s so lightweight, you can simply mount it on a wall in your garage. No hefty setup required.
While some portable generators can be quite small, built-in generators – which more closely match the capabilities of home battery backup – occupy a large footprint and can take up valuable space in your yard. If you install one of these generators, you’ll likely also need to pour a substantial concrete pad to house it.
Backup battery storage, meanwhile, is wall-mounted and does not require any construction work. Batteries only stand a few inches away from the wall and can sit comfortably alongside your solar equipment, garage shelving, etc.
Reliability
One of the biggest draws of electric vehicles is that they don’t require the expensive regular maintenance that internal combustion engines do. With EVs, oil changes are a thing of the past.
Similarly, home backup batteries require far less maintenance than generators do.
Typically, generators need to cycle at least once per month to make sure all the internal components are lubricated and operating properly. Most homeowners will also hire a technician to inspect the generator every year to make sure it’s in good working order. After all, the only thing worse than paying for a generator is having it fail to turn on when you need it the most!
Battery storage, on the other hand, requires no maintenance of any kind. Other than an occasional surface cleaning to keep the battery shining, it will not require any regular maintenance throughout its entire service life.
You can rest assured that your home battery backup will always be ready to protect you and your family at a moment’s notice.