Both keep the lights on when the grid goes down. They do it in very different ways, and the right choice depends on the outages you actually get.
Standby generator
- Runs as long as it has fuel, which matters in multi-day winter outages.
- Can power a whole house, including large electric loads.
- Makes noise and exhaust, and needs periodic maintenance and exercise runs.
- Needs a gas line or propane tank and outdoor space with clearances.
Home battery
- Silent and instant. Many systems switch over so fast the clocks do not blink.
- Almost no maintenance, and no fuel.
- Limited by stored energy. Essentials can run for hours to a day or two without recharging.
- Recharges from solar, which can stretch run time indefinitely in good weather.
- Can be installed indoors in a garage or basement.
Questions to ask yourself
- How long are your outages? Short and frequent favors a battery. Long and occasional favors a generator.
- What must stay on? A sump pump and refrigerator are easy for a battery. Electric heat is not.
- Do you have, or plan to have, solar?
- Is natural gas available at the house?
- How do you feel about noise and maintenance?
Using both
Some homeowners in rural and northern Michigan install a battery for everyday short outages and a generator for the long ones. The two can be designed to work together.
We install both and have no reason to steer you toward one. Read about generator installation, battery backup installation and our solar electrician services.