Home Backup Power System: Generator Vs. Battery

Natural disasters, electricity grid failures, and extreme weather conditions can lead to prolonged power outages. In the past, only the fuel-powered standby generators acted as a home backup solution. With the advent of technology and people wanting to become self-sufficient, solar-powered battery backup solutions are becoming popular.

But which is better in the generator vs. battery backup solution battle? Well, the choice depends on what your needs are, budget, and other factors.

Jackery offers reliable, eco-friendly, and highly efficient portable solar generators, solar panels, and power stations that can be used as home battery backup systems. The portable power stations feature a LiFePO4 or lithium-ion battery to power small to large appliances efficiently.

Products	Image	Capacity	Rated & Peak Power	Noise Level	Explorer Size
Solar Generator 3000 Pro		3024Wh	3000W, 6000W peak	30dB	Height: 18.6 in Width: 14.1 in Depth: 14.7 in
Solar Generator 2000 Plus		2042Wh	3000W, 6000W peak	30dB	Height: 14.7 in Width: 18.6 in Depth: 14.1 in
Solar Generator 1000 Plus		1265Wh	2000W, 4000W peak	Less than 30dB	Height: 14 in Width: 10.24 in Depth: 11.14 in

What Is a Home Backup Power System?

In simple terms, a home backup power system refers to a secondary charging solution that can be used to provide a continuous stream of electricity, even when the electricity grid fails to work.

Common types of backup power systems include generators and battery backups that can supply interrupted power to the appliances.

But who wins the battery backup vs. generator battle? While generators often use fuel for working, battery backups are powered using solar energy.

Here are some reasons why you need a backup power system:

• Backup power ensures all the critical home appliances, like refrigerators, CPAP machines, etc., remain operational, even when the primary source is unavailable.
• A power backup system for offices minimizes downtime and prevents revenue loss by protecting against power outages.
• Sometimes, prolonged blackouts can pose safety risks, but having a battery backup solution ensures all critical devices remain powered.

Backup power is important in any situation and for all places — homes, hospitals, clinics, data centers, outdoor areas, etc. — where loss of power can pose economic or safety risks.

What Is Home Backup Generator?

A traditional home backup generator uses some type of fuel (propane, gas, solar, or diesel) to produce electricity. Some standby generators are connected to the existing wiring that turns on (manually or automatically) when the power goes out. You can either supply electricity to your home or select fewer appliances.

Working of Home Backup Generator

The way a home backup generator works largely depends on the type of battery and fuel used.

For instance, a solar generator consists of a battery and a few solar panels. The battery backup stores the energy generated by the solar power panels and converts it into AC current to charge appliances.

Traditional generators that use gasoline, propane, natural gas, or diesel fuel work by powering a combustion engine, which then generates electricity for appliances.

Types of Home Backup Generators

Home backup generators are available in different sizes and types, including gas, diesel, solar, and inverter generators.

Solar Generator: These portable and highly efficient home backup generators run on clean, renewable sun's energy. It's the best generator for indoor use because there are no harmful emissions. Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is one of the popular home battery backup solutions with a capacity of 3024Wh. It can safely and efficiently power 99% of your home appliances during brownouts & blackouts, power outages, and even outdoor adventures.

Diesel Generator: Gas or diesel generators, in particular, are very noisy and emit dangerous fumes like carbon monoxide while working. Though diesel generators can be a helpful tool since they get the job done, they come with some serious dangers, like health hazards.

Inverter Generator: These portable generators use advanced electronics to produce high-quality power with low noise and fuel consumption. They are generally lighter and smaller than traditional portable generators and might be an ideal choice to charge sensitive electronic devices.

What Is Home Battery Backup?

One reliable power source to charge home appliances is a battery backup. These systems are designed to store power and charge appliances for later use. That being said, you have to recharge the system after each use to prepare it for the next time. Most backup batteries can be recharged using a standard wall outlet, car adapter, EV adapter, or solar panels.

Working of Home Battery Backup System

A home battery backup works by storing the electricity generated by solar power panels or from the grid when it is functioning. When the electricity goes out, you can plug the devices into the power station to start charging them.

Types of Home Battery Backup

Here, we will discuss common types of home battery backup systems available on the market.

Portable Power Bank: Power banks are lightweight, portable charging solutions that make a great travel companion. They can power small devices like mobile phones and laptops.

Home Battery Backup System: Unlike power banks and UPS charging solutions that are ideal only for small appliances, a home battery backup system can effectively charge small and large electrical devices. You can determine the number of batteries required depending on your electricity requirements. Jackery offers expandable Solar Generator 2000 Plus and Solar Generator 1000 Plus to provide consistent power to most home appliances.

Uninterruptible Power Supply: They are typically used as short-term backup power sources for laptops and mobile phones when the power goes out without notice. One worthy thing to note is that UPS can power only a single small device but is not capable of supplying power to large home appliances.

Home Battery Generator Vs. Battery: What Are The Differences?

The right choice and winner in a generator vs. battery battle isn't the same for everyone. Your budget and energy requirements will directly affect which option makes more sense.

Here is the comparison table that depicts the battery vs. generator comparison.

Jackery Home Backup Power System

Homeowners who are tired of the generator vs. battery battle can weigh the pros and cons associated with these charging solutions before making a choice. Jackery is a renowned solar brand manufacturing portable solar generators for home and outdoor enthusiasts. These generators consist of solar panels (to collect and convert sunlight into electricity) and power stations (to convert DC to AC current and charge appliances).

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro has a high battery capacity of 3024Wh to power 99% of your home or outdoor appliances. The pull rods and double wheels help you move the power station from one place to another. It's like a smart power master that performs well in a resilient environment in cold temperatures.

Customer Review

"I used this during my last camping trip, and it is awesome! Powered microwave, portable fridge/freezer, and 2 heated blankets at night and still had plenty of battery left the next day. I didn't have to worry about recharging as I brought my 2*SolarSaga 200W Solar Panels with me." — Christian.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus features a LiFePO4 battery that can be expanded from 2kWh to 24kWh to power heavy-duty appliances. It uses a unique variable-speed charging algorithm and fast charging technology to boost battery life by 50%. The additional batteries ensure you can quickly expand the capacity and power 99% of home appliances.

Customer Review

"The Jackery portable power station, specifically the Explorer 2000 Plus model, is an absolute powerhouse that has exceeded my expectations. It's the perfect solution for all my power needs during camping trips, picnics, and other outdoor events." — WinWin.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus has a capacity of 1264Wh with a massive 2000W output. You can expand the ability to 5kWh using the three add-on battery packs. This way, you can get 1 to 3 days of home backup power with the battery pack. Apart from being a home-powering solution, it supports camping, off-road travel, and more.

Home Backup Generator Vs. Battery FAQs

What size of solar generator do I need for my home?

The size of the solar generator required to charge appliances at home will depend on your energy consumption. For instance, if you want a solar generator that powers devices only for a few hours, you can probably choose a small one. But if you plan to go completely off-grid, you'll need a larger solar generator.

Let's take an example:

Suppose you want to simultaneously power appliances (refrigerator, AC, and coffee maker) that consume nearly 1000 watts. Here, we will calculate the working hours of Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro when you use it to charge appliances consuming 1000 watts.

Working Time = Capacity in Wh × 0.85 / Operating wattage of the appliances = 3024Wh × 0.85 / 1000W = 2.5H.

Is battery backup better than a generator?

Compared to a gas or diesel generator, a battery backup requires little to no maintenance and lets you eliminate fuel costs. They are easier to set up and provide clean, eco-friendly backup power options. If you want to choose a generator for your home, consider a solar generator that combines solar panels and power stations.

How long does home battery backup last? And how long do generators last?

Depending on your power needs and how much you use it, a home battery backup system can last several hours during an outage. On the other hand, the generator lasts as long as there's a consistent fuel supply.

Generator Vs. Battery: Which One Is Right for You

The right charging solution and winner in the generator vs. battery battle will depend on individual needs and requirements. Solar battery backup systems don't necessarily require fuel or regular maintenance, which makes them a better choice for homeowners.

A solar generator can supply electricity for longer durations if you want more power to charge small and large appliances like refrigerators. Jackery Solar Generators provides a robust, environmentally-friendly power solution for charging devices during power outages.