So you’ve made the decision to buy a home battery for your solar system, but how do you choose the right battery for your needs? How do you know which home battery is right for your household? With Australians countrywide taking up the initiative to install home batteries, we look at various options and factors that should be taken into consideration before making your big decision.
Why invest in a home battery?
If your solar system is generating enough power to run your home and still feeding extra energy into the grid, it is time to consider investing in a home battery. With a home battery installed, the extra, unused energy generated by your solar will then be able to be stored in your battery for use whenever you need it. In this way, you will be saving money as you use less energy from the grid and reduce your electricity bills. When purchased correctly, a home battery could assist in living almost completely grid free.
Stored energy in a home battery will be available to use at night, during a blackout or on cloudy, rainy days, allowing you to rely less on the grid. It makes good sense. Stored energy could fill the tank of an electric car or keep the lights on when the grid goes down.
Electricity usage
An important factor in your decision making is how much electricity you are using. The amount of energy used in a day and whether you are utilising more electricity during the day or at night is to be taken into consideration.
These consumption details can be worked out from your electricity bill and will help to determine what size storage battery will be suitable for your household needs. Think about what appliances you will be running off your battery, as this will also help to determine the kWh capacity of the home battery needed.
Cost vs Savings
Once your energy usage has been established, the correct size of home battery will be determined. Obviously, the larger the battery the higher the investment will be. Consider the cost versus the savings that will be made on your electricity bills.
The amount you will save on your electricity bills depends on the output of your solar system and capacity of the battery versus the amount of energy your household is using and whether it’s being used during the day or at night. A good home battery supplier will be able to work out these financial assumptions, thereby helping you to decide if the annual savings outweigh the investment.
Depth of Discharge (DoD)
Depth of discharge refers to the percentage level to which the battery can be drained without damaging the battery and it is relative to the total storage capacity of the battery. Therefore, a 6kWh battery should not be drained to below 5.4kWh when power is drawn from the battery. Recharging is necessary before that level is reached as if it goes lower the warranty of the battery may be compromised. This is, therefore, another consideration to the size of the home battery required and is once again relative to daily electricity consumption.
Warranty
Ensure that the manufacturer’s warranty period is specified. Most home batteries carry a 10 – 15 year warranty, Choose a reputable installer as their services may be required if there is a fault down the line. Batteries do tend to degrade over time and become less effective as they age.
Types of home batteries
Lithium-ion – with the best DoD percentage, this is the most popular choice of home battery. They are maintenance free with high efficiency. They are the same type that is found in mobile phones and many other devices. The captured DC current generated by the solar panels is converted to AC power, stored in the battery and is usable in the home.
Lead acid – not as popular for home installations, as they have a shorter lifespan and require regular maintenance to keep them running properly. They also have a lower DoD. If you want to go completely off-grid, this may be a better option.
Summary
Many Australian households are benefiting from the installation of a home battery and reaping the benefits. Many home battery owners have seen their electricity bills drop significantly and some have found themselves to be in the delightful situation of a credit balance! It is advisable to ask the experts regarding which home battery will suit your particular needs.
Cool or Cosy has been able to assist many households with the right home battery solution. We are experts in this field and are able to give you the best advice and installation in Adelaide.
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