While you might not want to think about it, power outages do happen from time to time. Unfortunately, if you rely on a traditional HVAC system, your family may not be able to remain comfortable throughout the power outage. This can be a big problem during the winter months when you’re left without adequate heating. Fortunately, battery backups are transforming the way homeowners use their HVAC systems during power outages.
Why Do You Need a Battery Backup?
There’s no doubt that there are a ton of different upgrades you can get for an HVAC system, all at a premium price. A battery backup is something that you don’t want to overlook, as it will provide a steady source of power to your unit in the event that your local power grid goes down. You can rely on it to continue powering your air conditioning system during those hot summer days where dehydration, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion are all real risks.
A battery backup will ensure your heating system stays functional when your local grid goes down. This will keep your family safe from the dangerous cold conditions. It will also protect your home by preventing frozen pipes and other cold-weather-related issues. A battery backup means better safety and resilience for your family and your home.
What Is an HVAC Battery Backup?
Simply put, an HVAC battery backup is a large-capacity rechargeable battery. It’s specifically designed to power your heating and cooling equipment when your local power grid goes down. Unlike many other forms of battery backups, HVAC battery backups are engineered to handle the excessive loads of fans, compressors, and blowers.
How Does It Work?
One of the first questions that you likely have about an HVAC battery backup is how it actually works. The battery will charge from your home’s electrical system whenever your local power grid is operational. It’s completely possible to pair any of the HVAC battery backups with solar panels for renewable charging and better home sustainability.
Whenever your local power grid goes out, there’s a sensor in the HVAC battery backup that will automatically switch it on. This will ensure the uninterrupted running of your HVAC system when the power does go out. Battery backups can be programmed to run your entire HVAC system or just select power units, like particular mini-split units. Once the power is restored to your home, the battery will recharge itself and prepare for your next power outage.
The Benefits of HVAC Battery Backups
Purchasing a battery backup for your HVAC system typically comes at a premium cost. Before you invest your hard-earned money, it’s important to understand the many benefits that you can gain from purchasing this item.
Silent Operation
One of the most annoying things about using a traditional portable generator is that it operates very loudly. When you opt for an HVAC battery backup, it runs silently. It doesn’t have an engine that produces unpleasant noise.
No Fuel Worries
Another great benefit of HVAC battery backups is that you don’t have to mess around with getting fuel to continually power your home heating or cooling system. With traditional generators, you have to safely store gas, propane, or diesel so that you can constantly replenish the generator. With the batteries of a battery backup automatically charged and ready to go, there’s no hands-on maintenance required.
Easy Installation
When you think about traditional generator placement, it always has to go outside your home because of the toxic fumes that it emits. When you rely on a battery backup to power your HVAC system, there’s no need for any ventilation. You can essentially place the battery backup anywhere throughout your home without the need to worry about ventilation.
HVAC System Compatibility
Whether or not it’s worth investing in a battery backup will depend on the type of HVAC system that you have. Not all HVAC systems are created equal when it comes to energy demands. For example, electric furnaces are very energy-intensive and will require much larger batteries. Central air conditioning systems require large startup currents, which require a battery that can handle those large spikes.
Furnaces powered by gas or oil require only a modest amount of electricity to run things like fans and their controls. Heat pumps have high-efficiency technology, like variable-speed blower motors and lower startup demands that are more battery-friendly. The same holds true for ductless mini-split systems. It’s pretty common for homeowners to opt for getting a battery backup if they have a fuel-burning furnace, heat pump, or ductless mini-split system.
How Long Do Battery Backups Run?
How long your HVAC battery backup will run is dependent on numerous factors. One of the most important is the type of HVAC system that you’re trying to power. Your battery lasts much longer if you’re powering a heat pump as compared to an electric furnace. The temperature outside and your desired indoor temperature will also play a role in how often your unit runs and how much energy it uses. In general, HVAC battery backups are meant to run for hours as opposed to days.
Choosing an Appropriate Battery Size
Just as your HVAC system is appropriately sized to meet your unique home’s needs, so should your battery backup. Determining the appropriate size of battery backup for your specific HVAC system starts with understanding the system’s load. You can typically read this on the manufacturer’s website or in your owner’s manual.
There’s a specific wattage for running and another separate wattage for starting up. When it comes to a typical central air conditioner, it may take 7,000 watts to start and only 4,000 watts to run. Another thing you’ll want to consider is the desired runtime for your system. Are you just looking to run your HVAC system during peak times of heat, or do you want to run it through the overnight hours, too? If you want to constantly run your HVAC system throughout the power outage, you’ll need a larger battery than if you’re just using it for peak temperature differences throughout the day.
Furthermore, it’s pretty common for battery backups to provide whole-home coverage. This means instead of purchasing a battery solely for your HVAC unit, you also want it to run other items throughout your home, like your lighting system and your refrigerators. Realize that if you opt for a whole-home battery backup, you’ll need a bigger battery that comes at a premium price compared to just a battery solely for HVAC use.
Should You Get One?
Due to the higher investment cost of purchasing a battery backup, not all homeowners may find they need one for their HVAC unit. Those who have a more modern HVAC system that’s highly efficient are more likely to purchase a battery backup because it will be able to run their system for a long period. Those with an outdated HVAC unit typically will skip the battery backup just because it won’t run their system for very long.
Expert HVAC Backup Installation Services
Environmental Heating & Air Solutions offers expert HVAC backup installation services for the Roseville, CA area. We can also assist with all your HVAC maintenance, repair, and installation needs. Call our office today to schedule your next service appointment with one of our helpful technicians.
