Your 1930s Tudor didn't come with backup power. Time to fix that without compromising the aesthetic.
Median Home
$2.3M
Median Income
$180K+
Home Sizes
2,500–8,000 sq ft
ZIP
75205
Highland Park is one of the most desirable zip codes in Texas, and for good reason. Tree-lined streets, Highland Park ISD, walkable neighborhoods, and homes that range from meticulously preserved 1920s estates to full gut-renovations that kept the facade and modernized everything behind it. Median home values sit around $2.3 million. This is old Dallas money, new Dallas money, and everyone in between.
Here's the thing about Highland Park's older housing stock: the electrical infrastructure wasn't built for modern loads. Many homes have panels that are already working hard to support renovated kitchens, added HVAC zones, and the smart home systems bolted onto century-old bones. A power outage here doesn't just kill the lights. It can mean a sump pump failure flooding a finished basement, or a security system going dark in a neighborhood where that actually matters.
The density of Highland Park—lots that sit tight together along Armstrong, Beverly, and Lakeside—makes noise a real consideration. Your neighbor is 15 feet away, not 50. That's one reason battery backup systems are gaining ground here. Silent, compact, wall-mounted in the garage. No fuel deliveries, no annual maintenance, and no one knowing you have it until the next outage rolls through and you're the only house still lit.
What's at stake during an outage:
Home security systems, sump pumps in finished basements, whole-home climate control protecting millwork and art collections, home offices, and smart home systems retrofitted into older construction. In Highland Park, a power outage can literally damage the house.
What's popular in Highland Park: Battery backup is the natural fit for Highland Park. The dense lot layouts and proximity to neighbors make generator noise a genuine concern. Silent, zero-emission batteries mounted on a garage wall are practically invisible—and they don't require architectural review in most cases. For homes that have already upgraded their electrical panels during renovation, adding battery backup is straightforward.
Dallas County • Highland Park ISD
Highland Park homes typically run 2,500 to 8,000 square feet, though the range is wide. A renovated 3,500 sq ft home usually needs 2 battery units or a 20–22kW generator. Larger estates along Beverly or Lakeside may need 3–4 batteries or a 24kW+ generator. Important note: many Highland Park homes need an electrical panel upgrade before installing backup power. If your home still has an older 100-amp or 150-amp panel, budget for upgrading to 200-amp or 400-amp service.
For homes in the $2.3 million range, Highland Park homeowners typically invest $15,000 to $40,000 in backup power. Panel upgrades, if needed, add $3,000 to $6,000 but are often necessary anyway for older homes. The 30% federal tax credit applies to battery installations.
Standby generators in Highland Park typically run $10,000 to $24,000 installed. Many homes need a 20–24kW unit. The complication in Highland Park is often the electrical panel—older homes may need a panel upgrade ($3,000–$6,000) before a generator or battery system can be installed. Your installer will assess this during the initial consultation.
Yes. The Town of Highland Park requires building permits for generator installations. Highland Park also has noise ordinances and setback requirements that affect generator placement. Given the dense lot layouts, placement can be tricky. Many homeowners opt for battery backup specifically to avoid these constraints—no noise, no placement headaches, no fuel storage.
For Highland Park's mix of older and renovated homes, the Tesla Powerwall 3 and Enphase IQ Battery are both strong choices. The key consideration is your electrical panel—many Highland Park homes built before 1970 will need a panel upgrade first. Once that's handled, 2–3 battery units provide whole-home coverage for most homes in the neighborhood.
Highland Park is served by Oncor, and the area experiences the same grid challenges as the rest of DFW—outages up 35% over the past five years. Highland Park's mature tree canopy, while beautiful, also creates vulnerability during wind and ice storms. Downed limbs on power lines are a common cause of localized outages in the neighborhood.
Not if done right. Battery systems are virtually invisible—they mount on interior garage walls or utility areas. Generators require more planning in Highland Park due to lot density and potential historic overlay requirements. A good installer will work with the town's requirements and ensure proper screening. Many Highland Park renovations now include backup power as a standard upgrade.
Tell us about your Highland Park home. We'll match you with vetted local installers who know Dallas County and your neighborhood. Free quotes, no pressure, no salespeople.
Get Your Free Assessment