Growing your home battery backup system can cost far more than many homeowners expect.
An online discussion among homeowners with backup systems showed that expanding a system in California or Texas can cost well into five figures.
Here's what to know
One homeowner weighing an expansion after their system was commissioned said an additional battery had been quoted at about $15,000.
"Seeing as I can get another battery for ~$8k delivered, $7k to add another battery to an existing system seems steep," the original poster wrote in Reddit's r/FranklinWH community.
The OP added, "I also can't help but think things will get a lot cheaper in a couple of years."
Users pointed to similarly high totals.
A commenter from Texas said their quote was $13,000 and attributed much of the cost to added electrical work, while another user reported: "We got a third one installed after a year. NorCal; $16k." A poster in Puerto Rico said a local installer there had quoted $9-10,000 for an installed Power 2.
More background
When thinking about a battery backup system, the hardware itself is only one part of the total cost. Once a system is already installed, adding more capacity can require rewiring, upgraded disconnect equipment, and permitting changes.
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Still, battery storage is an increasingly popular option to keep critical appliances and devices running when the grid goes down.
It can also help households save money on energy by storing solar production or low-cost electricity for use during more expensive periods. For some homeowners, adding enough storage is also a practical step toward going off-grid, or at least reducing reliance on a utility.
The economics can look different depending on when a homeowner decides to expand. A battery that appears affordable on paper can be far more expensive once installation and system-upgrade costs are added.
Homeowners who are comparing setups may want to explore EnergySage to get information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates. EnergySage has teamed up with the electrification brand Qmerit to guarantee you get the best price on home battery storage solutions.
For shoppers who do not need a whole-home system, Pila offers plug-and-play batteries that are priced at a fraction of what whole-home backup systems cost. They can keep single appliances, such as your fridge or router, on during outages.
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