Photo courtesy of Panasonic Eco Systems
If you're considering buying a home battery system, you've likely already done some research. From scouring trusted brands and reviewing installers to getting recommendations from friends and family, you've probably had lots of your questions answered already. But there may be some questions that are a little harder to answer, or that you may not even have thought of.
To get to the bottom of these questions, we spoke directly with an expert who works on battery installations every day. Vincent Curcie is the CEO of OC Solar, a Panasonic-authorized solar and battery installer based in Orange County, California that performs as many as 100 installations a month. We asked Curcie to share some of the most common questions from homeowners, and those he wishes you would ask.
Home batteries store electricity, either from the grid or from solar panels (if you have them). This means you have 24/7 access to a source of electricity that you can use whenever you wish. Beyond tapping into this power during an outage, you can also use it to avoid paying more than you have to for your electricity. For example, if you're on a time-of-use (TOU) rate plan, where your utility charges you more for power during peak times, you can switch to using electricity from your battery to avoid these rates.
Most homes will benefit from a battery. But there are some factors that can make your home a particularly good fit. These include if you experience regular outages or supply disruptions, if you have solar panels, if you're on a TOU rate plan with your utility or if your electricity bill includes demand charges. Should I choose a battery or an installer first?
Curcie strongly recommends choosing an installer first. This is because batteries need careful set-up and programming which is unique to each customer and dependent on factors such as where they live, their energy requirements and personal preferences.
"You can’t just go and buy a battery over-the-counter," Curcie says. Instead, an installer will work with you to understand your needs and then choose the best battery for you. “You could have any battery and achieve a level of success with it, but not having it installed properly will result in very little benefit.”
Photo courtesy of Panasonic Eco Systems
"The number one thing you should look for are the certifications of the installer and whether they are listed on the battery manufacturer’s site,” explains Curcie. Look for NABCEP certification and make sure they’re registered with the battery manufacturer.
“If an installer is on Panasonic’s website for example, they're on one of the large manufacturer’s websites, and this means an installer has been through their certification program.” It’s also a good idea to look up an installer’s reputation on sites such as Google, Yelp, HomeAdvisor and the Better Business Bureau. “Don’t just focus on the price,” Curcie emphasizes.
Curcie says any quote from a battery installer should include financing options for the battery, a product warranty, performance warranty and workmanship warranty. Financing options should include what the cash price is for the installation versus the price of any financing options, with associated fees. “Make sure you get a little granular with the warranties because you’ll often notice that while terms and conditions are for 25 years, they often have exclusions that apply,” explains Curcie.
This is something an experienced installer will help you decide. Different installers work with different types of batteries, says Curcie. OC Solar for example, sells just two types of batteries, including the Panasonic EVERVOLT.
On average, it takes about three to four months from when you first meet with an installer to the completion of a battery installation, says Curcie. However, Curcie does emphasize that this can vary depending on a number of factors, such as where you live, your utility provider and where you want to install the battery. Different regions and utilities have different permitting requirements, which can mean it takes much longer to secure permits in one area than another.
Many installers work with leasing and loan finance companies to provide financing options to their customers. Curcie’s company, for example, is approved with eight different leasing and loan companies. If you want to pay for your home battery through financing rather than cash, your installer should be able to support you with this process.
A single battery is about two-and-a-half feet by about four feet, says Curcie, which is about the same size as a small coffee table. Most homes are big enough to house a battery.
Batteries tend to be connected to the grid, as well as other sources of power such as solar panels. As soon as an outage occurs, a battery will automatically turn on within milliseconds. In fact, it’s so seamless you won’t even notice it’s happening. The battery will start delivering the power it has already stored. If it’s connected to solar panels, it can continue to receive charge. If an outage lasts longer than expected, your batteries continue to be charged from solar and provide power.
Photo courtesy of Panasonic Eco Systems and Connected Technology
Most home battery systems come with an app you can use on your smartphone, tablet or PC. This app allows you to monitor data such as how much energy your household is using, how much is stored in your battery and how much power is left in your battery. Curcie recommends checking your monitoring portal at least once a month to make sure it’s all working properly.
This depends on several factors, including how much power the battery is capable of storing, how much electricity you use and how quickly your battery can be recharged. Most batteries store between 10 and 20kWh of electricity. Panasonic's EVERVOLT battery can store up to 20kWh and provide power to selected appliances and devices for about 6-9 hours (depending on usage and loads), without solar panels charging it during this time. You can prolong this if you have solar panels and can expect your battery charge to increase by about 10 percent in 30-40 minutes.
Most batteries come with an app you can use on your smartphone, tablet or PC. This allows you to monitor data such as how much power is your battery, how much you’re using and even which appliances are receiving power. This means you can proactively adjust your electricity usage to make your power last for longer.
Yes, there are plenty of benefits to installing a battery with or without solar panels. The main difference is that your battery will be charged from the grid — or even a generator — rather than your panels. This means you can store power from the grid when rates are low, such as during the day, and then use the power at night when rates are higher, giving you more control over your electricity bills.
Batteries are sized and installed according to your specific energy requirements and preferences. Working with a trusted, reputable installer that has experience in your area will ensure all that you have the right battery installed for your home. When you’re ready to get a home battery storage system, review Panasonic’s list of authorized installers to find the best one in your area.