Batteries or Generators: Which Backup Solution is Best for Your Home?

Home batteries and generators are the two main options when it comes to backup power. Both provide reliable electricity during power outages, but each comes with their own set of advantages and disadvantages. 

Home batteries are quiet and emission-free, but may not be able to power energy-intensive appliances for long - especially during peak demand periods such as Arizona’s exceptionally hot summers. Generators can handle heavy power demands for extended periods of time, but are noisy and release harmful emissions. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of home battery storage and generators, then compare the two across different categories to help you understand which choice is best for your home and unique needs.

What is home battery storage?

Home batteries store excess energy generated by your solar panels, or can be charged directly from the power grid. 

If paired with solar, home battery systems provide a way to use stored solar energy for use at night, on cloudy days, or during power outages. Even without a solar panel system, grid-charged batteries can provide reliable backup power during outages. This is especially useful if you're in an area with frequent blackouts or unstable grid performance

Home batteries store energy in its direct current (DC) form, which is converted to alternating current (AC) by either a hybrid inverter or the battery’s built-in inverter, making it usable for your home appliances. Whether paired with solar energy or charged purely from the grid, home batteries discharge stored energy for you to use when needed. 

Read: What Happens if You Have Solar and the Power Goes Out?

Pros and cons of home battery storage

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using home battery backup systems. 

Pro: Lower electricity bills

Home battery backup systems can lower your electricity bills by reducing your reliance on grid power. Some utilities use time-of-use (TOU) pricing plans that charge higher rates during peak demand periods. During these times, you can use stored battery power to avoid purchasing  expensive grid power. Put more simply, charge with solar or when grid power is at its cheapest, then discharge to power your how when electricity is most expensive. This process is referred to as time-shifting.

Keep Reading: How to Lower Your Electricity Bill in Arizona

Pro: No need to refuel

Unlike many generators – which often rely on diesel, liquid propane, or natural gas – home batteries don’t require fuel to run. This not only saves you costs in the long-run, but also makes maintenance far easier. Home battery systems run on electricity and can be charged either through the grid or from your solar panel system. 

Pro: Reduce your carbon footprint

If you’re looking into home batteries, then chances are you already have a solar power system or are looking to install one. By opting for home battery storage, you’ll be able to use even more clean, renewable energy to power your home – meaning less reliance on fossil fuels and a smaller environmental impact overall. 

Pro: Monitoring capabilities

Most home battery systems include monitoring apps that provide insights into your energy production, storage, and consumption. These features give you better control over your energy usage and allow you to optimize your habits to maximize savings and be more energy-efficient. 

When paired with solar panels, these features can also be used to identify potential issues with solar panel performance and address them before they become major problems. 

Pro: Quiet operation

Generators are known for their humming noises. Home batteries, on the other hand, operate silently. You’ll never even know that one was running unless you checked. 

Pro: Eligibility for incentives

In the U.S., solar batteries are eligible for the 30% energy storage tax credit, which allows homeowners to deduct 30% of the system’s purchase price to their annual tax filing. 

In Arizona, solar batteries are also exempt from sales tax and qualify for a 25% rebate of the system’s total cost, up to a maximum of $1,000,

Pro: No harmful emissions

Unlike generators, home batteries don’t release harmful emissions or contribute to air pollution. This makes them more environmentally-friendly and helps you power more of your home with clean, sustainable energy. 

Con: Limited battery capacity

Most home batteries are designed to handle critical loads, like lights, outlets, and small appliances. Or they can power an entire home for a specific period of time until depletion. This time is influenced by the amount of power you're using at any given time, and the amount of battery capacity you have available. If it’s mid summer and your AC is running, you will need more battery capacity to ensure around-the-clock coverage if that is your goal. 

Read: How Many Batteries Do You Need To Run a House on Solar?

Con: Significant upfront investment

Home batteries require an initial investment that may not be feasible for everyone. If you’re pairing your battery backup with solar power, the upfront investment can be made up for by the additional cost savings from generating solar power. 

A reputable solar provider can provide honest feedback about whether home batteries make financial sense for you. They can also show you options for various batteries and the potential payback periods you can achieve through different scenarios. Contact our team if you’d like to discuss whether home batteries are worth it for you. 

Keep Reading: Should I Get Battery Storage for My Solar Energy System?

What are generators?

Generators, sometimes called standby generators or whole-house generators, are backup power systems designed to keep your home running during outages. They generate electricity by burning fuel, usually diesel, natural gas, or liquid propane.

Standby generators connect directly to your home’s electrical panel and automatically kick in during an outage to provide backup power. Portable generators, on the other hand, are a different type of generator that require manual set up and connection during outages. In this guide, we’ll stick to discussing standby generators. 

Pros and cons of generators

Below, we look at the pros and cons of using generators for home backup power. 

Pro: Provides power for extended periods

Unlike batteries, which have limited capacity, generators can keep running for extended periods as long as they have fuel. This makes them suitable for homes in areas prone to longer outages or constant cloud cover that can limit solar panel production. 

Pro: Dual-fuel options available

Some generators are dual-fuel compatible, which means they can run on both liquid propane and natural gas. This can be useful as it gives you options for fueling your generator based on what’s available. 

Con: Requires a steady fuel supply

Generators need refueling to remain operational. If you don’t have a steady fuel supply at home, it can be difficult to obtain some during extended outages or emergencies. Additionally, these fuel costs can add up over time to make generators significantly more expensive than solar batteries.

Con: Noise pollution

Generators are notoriously noisy. Even modern standby generators – designed to operate more quietly – can produce a noticeable hum. This can be disruptive for some people, particularly when using them at night. 

Con: Harmful emissions

Unlike home batteries, generators burn fuel to produce electricity. This emits greenhouse gases and contributes to air pollution. If you’re looking to reduce your environmental impact, generators may not be the best backup power option. 

Home batteries vs generators: How do they compare?

Now we’ve covered the pros and cons of home batteries and generators, let’s see how the two compare in terms of cost, installation, maintenance, and more.

Cost

Home battery systems tend to be more costly upfront, but they can lead to long-term savings – especially when paired with solar panels. Solar battery backup allows you to store excess solar energy that can be used when your panels aren’t producing electricity or during peak demand periods, helping reduce electricity costs. Solar batteries are also eligible for federal and state tax incentives and rebates, which can significantly offset the initial investment. 

Generators have a lower initial cost, but require ongoing expenses that can add up over time. You’ll need a consistent supply of fuel to keep them operational, and these prices (e.g. propane or diesel) can fluctuate. Fuel can also become scarce during natural disasters or times of crisis.  There are also no specific tax credits or incentives for installing a generator. 

See More: Federal Solar Tax Credit: Everything You Need to Know

Installation

Battery storage systems are compact and easy to install, often mounted on the wall or floor of a garage or utility room. In most cases installation takes a day or two and involves connecting the battery to your home’s electrical panel or solar inverter. That said, you’ll still need a professional to install the system for you. 

Installing a generator is a little more complicated. It requires pouring a concrete slab, proper ventilation, connecting to a fuel source (e.g. propane tank or gas line). 

Maintenance

Home batteries are low-maintenance, run independently, and have no moving parts. Most manufacturers recommend annual inspections to keep them operating optimally, but they need little effort beyond that. 

Generators, on the other hand, are sophisticated mechanical devices that need regular maintenance to stay reliable. This includes oil changes, replacing air filters, and inspecting spark plugs and fuel systems. You might need to perform these tasks once a year or after every 50-200 hours of operation, depending on usage. 

Power duration

Most home battery backup systems typically store enough energy to power a home for a few hours to a day, depending on usage and capacity. Of course, it’s possible to install multiple batteries to increase the capacity and timeframe. . 

Generators provide a continuous power supply for days or even weeks, so long as you have enough fuel to keep them going. This makes them ideal for extended outages, although fuel availability can become an issue with prolonged use or during natural disasters.

Expected lifespan and warranties

Most home batteries last 10 to 15 years, with warranties typically covering 10 years. Many manufacturers also guarantee a specific level of capacity by the end of the warranty period (e.g. 70% of the original). Proper usages, like avoiding deep discharges, can also extend the lifespan of home batteries. 

Generators tend to last longer than home batteries, with lifespans up to 20 to 30 years depending on the quality, usage, and maintenance. Their warranties are generally shorter, however, and range from 2 to 5 years. 

Noise & environmental impact

Batteries operate silently and produce no harmful emissions, which makes them ideal for residential neighborhoods. They are less disruptive and the more environmentally-friendly option of the two. 

Generators, however, have noise levels ranging from 60 decibels (like a conversation) to 90 decibels (like a lawnmower). They also emit pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, which requires proper ventilation to prevent health risks. 

Home batteries vs generators: side-by-side comparison

To help you make your decision, let’s compare the two side-by-side. 

 

 

HOME BATTERIES

GENERATORS

COST

Higher upfront investment, but eligible for tax incentives and rebates that can offset up to 30% of these costs

Lower upfront investment, but come with additional fuel and maintenance costs that can add up over time

INSTALLATION

Compact, can be mounted to the wall or floor, easy installation

Installed outdoors, requires a concrete pad, fuel source, and permits

MAINTENANCE

Minimal, annual inspections or firmware updates

Requires regular maintenance

POWER DURATION

Limited to storage capacity

Runs continuously as long as there is fuel

LIFESPAN

10-15 years, warranties often 10+ years

20-30 years with proper maintenance, warranties often 2-5 years

NOISE 

Silent operation

Noisy

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

No emissions, environmentally-friendly option

Emits harmful emissions and contributes to air pollution

Batteries or generators: Which is best for you?

From the comparisons we’ve made, battery backup power wins across most categories: batteries are more environmentally friendly, quieter, easier to install, come with longer warranties, and are eligible for various incentives and rebates that can make them more affordable. 

However, generators have their unique advantages, too. They’re cheaper upfront, more suitable for powering homes during extended outages, and can run energy-intensive appliances without interruption. 

Ultimately, the choice between home batteries or generators depends on your budget, energy needs, and preferences. If you value clean energy, low maintenance, and long-term cost savings, a home battery can be the better choice – especially if paired with a solar energy system. If your main priority is powering your home for extended outages or keeping energy-intensive appliances running, then generators may be more practical. 

You don’t have to make the decision alone. For expert guidance from our team, feel free to give us a call on 480-576-5693. We’ll be happy to discuss which of these options makes more sense for your unique needs and energy habits.

About the Author

Kyle Ritland, Marketing and Customer Experience

Kyle Ritland, Marketing and Customer Experience

After working in technology marketing throughout the Pacific Northwest and Silicon Valley for more than 20 years, Kyle opted to follow his heart and focus his talents in solar energy.

As the head of Marketing at Sun Valley Solar Solutions, Kyle works hard to demystify the ever-changing solar landscape in Arizona and across the country. He especially enjoys helping people separate fact from fiction by presenting solar transparently and accurately, rather than relying on hype or deceptive marketing tactics that are far too common with some solar companies.

When not touting the benefits of solar, encouraging his friends to opt for paper over plastic, or growing his own vegetables, Kyle is generally found hiking with his pointer Bravo or preparing a home-cooked meal for friends.

“If you truly understand how solar works it’s easy to see through the gimmicks. The opportunity for savings is very real when you have the correct information”