Should you Invest in an Electricity Back-up System?

Your entire home and lifestyle are dependent on electricity. You need power to keep perishable food fresh and safe to eat. Freezing cold showers are the only option if your water heater doesn’t work. Lighting your home at night requires numerous lights that run off of your electricity.

Since a reliable energy source is so important in your life, a power outage can have dangerous consequences. People won’t have the conveniences offered by electricity, but they will also lose the essential benefits it offers.

Homes can get too hot or cold. Medical services and medication may not be accessible. As perishable foods spoil, malnutrition can become a serious threat, depending on the circumstances.

An electricity backup system allows you to restore energy to your home during a power outage. While it may not be the right investment for everyone, we’ve outlined several reasons to add one to your home.

What is a home electricity backup system?

An electricity backup system is a secondary power source that can keep your home running when you don’t have electricity. There are three common types of power backups, including batteries, generators, and solar panels.

A battery backup is charged while your home has power and kicks on when it doesn’t. Depending on the size of the battery, you can have hours or days worth of charge to use during the outage. This type of backup system is generally the cheapest option. It’s also environmentally friendly.

In the past, generators were the most common type of backup system. These devices are gas-powered, so they’re not considered an eco-friendly option. They also run the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if they’re not used properly. That said, they are more reliable than batteries, which can run out of power. As long as you have gas and maintain your generator, you can use it indefinitely.

Solar panels are the newest power backup on the market. After installing a series of solar panels, you can use the energy they generate to power your home. As long as you have strong sunlight, your panels will provide power. They can also store excess energy in a battery to use at night or on cloudy days. Solar panels are the most expensive backup system, costing about $12,000 on average.

5 reasons to use a power backup for your home

1. You can keep your essentials running during power outages

When a storm hits or your power lines are damaged, you are at the mercy of the elements. During the summer and winter months, you won’t be able to heat or cool your home. In extreme climates, this can dangerously affect your health.

While you won’t be able to run your HVAC system on a backup power system, you can use space heaters and fans. This equipment can help you hold on until the power is back on.

Power outages put your perishable food at risk as well. Without electricity, your fridge and freezer will slowly warm, spoiling the food inside.

A backup power system allows you to keep this appliance running until your electricity is back. You can keep your food cold and safe to eat.

Most importantly, a backup power source allows you to use essential medical devices during an outage. You can protect your health and maintain the use of any emergency devices until the power returns.

2. You can add value to your home

You are thinking about a backup power system because you recognize the benefits it offers to your home and family. Similarly, potential buyers recognize the value it brings to your home as well.

If you live in a cold climate and you lose power during a storm, for example, a backup power system can prevent expensive damages. It would allow the sump pumps to run during the outage, keeping your pipes from freezing and bursting at a time when help is unavailable.

Your backup system also gives potential homeowners peace of mind. They know they’ll have less to worry about during an outage. The relief from this stress can push buyers to pay more for your home when it’s on the market.

3. You won’t have to leave your home during a natural disaster

Earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters can devastate an area. Even if you are lucky enough to escape with damage, you’ll likely have to go at least a few days without power.

In these situations, many people choose to leave their homes to stay at a hotel, with friends, or with relatives. A backup power system, however, gives you the ability to stay safely in your home.

Being at home means you can keep an eye on your home and property. You can help repair the damage nearby and get everything back to normal faster. If you or a loved one can’t be moved because of medical issues, you can also meet their needs without putting their health at further risk.

4. You can maintain home security during a power outage

Looters see power outages as an opportunity. They know that security systems won’t detect their break-ins and no one will be able to see them in the dark. If residents leave to stay elsewhere, burglars know that no one will know about the theft until hours or days later.

With a backup power supply, you can keep your security system active, even after its battery backup fails. If someone tries to break in or you need help, the security monitoring center can dispatch law enforcement as quickly as possible.

Your home and your family will stay safe from anyone trying to take advantage of the disaster.

5. You can help support your community

A backup power system gives your neighbors a place to come for relief. They can move food and essentials that need to stay cold, such as insulin, into your fridge. Showers, relief from the weather, internet service, and more can help your community make it through the outage.

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