In order to have a more stable supply of energy, most families start buying home battery backup power and some go for home generators as well. Each of these solutions can help to meet your family’s basic power needs after an abnormality occurs in your home’s electricity supply. So which one will work better for you? In order for you to find the best method for you, we will introduce you to the differences between these two methods in this article.

1. How does a home battery backup system work?

A home battery backup system can store energy for you to use when you need it. Generally when using a home battery backup system, you may have other power generation systems installed in your home, and you need to connect the home battery backup system to the power generation system to ensure that the batteries are fully charged, and in the event of a power outage, you can connect your home circuits to the home battery backup system, so that the backup batteries can provide power support to your home. 

2. How does a home generator work?

Generally, home generators are diesel-powered, but they can also be gasoline-powered. The basic principle of a generator is that magnetism generates electricity. Usually, when your home power is cut off, the generator will rotate because of the fuel, driving the conductor to cut the fixed magnetic field, due to the electromagnetic induction, it will produce current, the generator for home power supply is mainly its own power generation. When you connect your home’s electrical circuits to the generator, the generator provides electrical support for your electronic devices.

3. Advantages and disadvantages of home battery backup systems

Pros: A home battery backup system can immediately power your home during a power outage, reducing wasted energy, and if your home uses a solar power system, a home battery backup system can store excess power, ensuring that you maximize your energy use. Home battery backup systems are simple and take up less space. And home battery backup systems do not harm the environment in any way.

Cons: Home battery backup systems are costly and may not be affordable for some families. The home battery backup system has a limited time of use, if the capacity of the backup battery is small, it may not be enough for your use and can only provide power for a limited period of time. Due to the limited lifespan of the batteries, you may also be required to replace the backup batteries, adding extra cost to your usage.

4. Pros and cons of home generators

Pros: A home generator can provide a stable supply of electricity for most households, whether it’s for lighting, TV, or air conditioning for high-power appliances. When you use a home generator, you only need to follow the instructions to carry out simple operations, you can easily start and stop the work of the generator. For the general generator is going to be equipped with an intelligent control system that may monitor the power supply and produce a stable output power.

Cons: Generators on the market today are noisy, especially when connected to a load, the noise generated by the generator will be even louder. This seriously affects the sense of use in the home. Home generators are powered by chemical fuel, it is inevitable that there will be an odor when in use. For some odor-sensitive people, this is a big problem.

5. Comparison of home battery backup system and generator?

Cost: Home electronic backup systems may have a higher initial investment, but they have a lower operating cost later on, especially when using solar or other renewable energy sources to charge them, which essentially eliminates the need for electricity expenses. A home generator may have a lower upfront investment, but the later maintenance costs are higher, in addition to the cost of fuel consumed while the generator is working.

Installation: The installation of a home battery backup system is usually simple, you can install the batteries directly on the ground, or if you have a solar power system, you will need to connect the batteries to the solar power system, which is easier than connecting them directly to the home meter. For a generator installation, you will need to prepare a concrete pad for the generator and connect your generator transfer switch to your home’s electrical system, a process that is usually performed by a professional.

Safety: Home electronic backup systems are generally safer because they don’t involve the burning of fuel, and battery systems are unlikely to explode if placed correctly. However, generators can be a safety hazard, and carbon monoxide poisoning can occur if your installation is in a closed location.

6. Which is better, a home battery backup system or a home generator?

Home battery backup systems and home generators have their own advantages and disadvantages. If you are more environmentally conscious, want to avoid paying for electricity, and you need less power in your home, a home battery backup system is a better choice for you. If you need a constant supply of electricity for an extended period of time or you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages, then a home generator is better. But ultimately, which one is better also depends on your specific needs, budget costs, and other reasons.

Conclusion:

Home battery backup systems and generators are both a solution in case of a power outage in the home, but for off-grid or hybrid solar systems basically that won’t be a problem for short periods of time, so if you don’t feel that either of these methods is a good fit for you, it is recommended that you try installing a solar system as well.