Battery Backup Systems

The power went out. You didn't notice for an hour.

Home battery backup is the silent, seamless way to keep your Texas home running when the grid fails. No fuel, no noise, no engine rumbling outside your bedroom window at 2 AM. Your house just... stays on. The AC keeps running. The fridge stays cold. The WiFi never blinks.

The basics

How Battery Backup Works

It's genuinely this simple. No PhD in electrical engineering required.

01

Grid goes down

A storm, a blown transformer, ERCOT being ERCOT—whatever the cause, the power drops.

02

Battery detects it

In milliseconds—faster than you can blink—your battery system detects the outage and disconnects from the grid.

03

Your house stays on

The battery powers your home. Lights, AC, fridge, WiFi—whatever circuits you've configured. No interruption.

04

You don't even notice

Seriously. Most battery owners find out the power went out from their neighbors, not from their own experience.

Product Guide

Top Battery Systems We Recommend

We're brand-agnostic, but after connecting hundreds of Texas homeowners with installers, these three consistently rise to the top.

Tesla Powerwall 3

13.5 kWh$9,500–$12,000 installed

Most popular. Great all-around choice for Texas homes.

Pros

Industry-leading app and monitoring
Seamless solar integration
Sleek wall-mounted design
Proven track record

Cons

Long wait times in some areas
Tesla-specific ecosystem

Enphase IQ Battery 5P

5 kWh per unit (stackable)$6,000–$8,000 per unit installed

Homes that want to start small and add capacity over time.

Pros

Modular—add units as needed
Works with any solar inverter
Excellent monitoring software
No single point of failure

Cons

Lower capacity per unit (need multiple)
Higher per-kWh cost when stacking

FranklinWH

13.6 kWh$12,000–$15,000 installed

Whole-home management with smart circuit-level control.

Pros

Smart panel manages every circuit
Generator-compatible for hybrid setups
Excellent app experience
Works with any solar brand

Cons

Higher price point
Newer brand (less track record)
Sizing Guide

How Many Batteries Do You Need?

The honest answer: it depends on two things. What you want to keep running (backup scope) and how long you need it to last (backup duration). Multiply those together and you've got your battery count.

Example: 2,500 sq ft Texas home

Running AC (3-ton system), fridge, lights, WiFi, garage door, and a few outlets during a summer outage:

  • 4-8 hours backup: 1 Powerwall (essentials only, AC cycling)
  • 12 hours backup: 2 Powerwalls (comfortable coverage with AC)
  • 24+ hours backup: 3 Powerwalls (full home, extended outage)

Add solar and your batteries recharge daily—potentially giving you indefinite backup during summer outages.

Don't guess. Our free assessment calculates your exact battery needs based on your home's square footage, AC system, appliances, and how long you want backup to last. Take the 3-minute assessment →

Honest Comparison

Battery vs Generator

We're not going to pretend batteries are perfect for everyone. Here's the real comparison.

Where batteries win

  • Instant switchover (milliseconds, not seconds)
  • Completely silent operation
  • Zero maintenance required
  • No fuel to store or run out of
  • 30% federal tax credit with solar
  • Sleek, wall-mounted design
  • Solar-compatible for recharging

Where generators win

  • Unlimited runtime with natural gas
  • Lower upfront cost for whole-home power
  • Proven technology (decades of reliability)
  • Powers even the largest homes easily
  • No capacity limitations
  • Works regardless of weather/season
  • Simpler sizing—one unit covers everything

The real answer? It depends on your home. A 2,000 sq ft house in Southlake with solar panels? Battery makes a ton of sense. A 4,500 sq ft ranch in Weatherford with natural gas? Generator is probably the move. Not sure? Hybrid systems give you both.

Real Numbers

What Battery Backup Actually Costs

1 battery (essentials backup)

$9,000–$15,000

Lights, fridge, WiFi, a few outlets. 4-12 hours.

2-3 batteries (whole-home backup)

$18,000–$35,000

Everything including AC. 12-24+ hours.

With solar integration

$25,000–$50,000+

Battery + solar panels. Indefinite backup in summer.

The 30% Federal Tax Credit

If your battery charges from solar (even partially), the entire system qualifies for a 30% tax credit through 2032. On a $30,000 battery system, that's $9,000 back on your taxes.

Always consult a tax professional. But this credit is real, substantial, and available right now.

A note about Base Power's "$695 batteries": You may have seen ads for batteries at $695. That's a VPP (virtual power plant) subscription model—you're essentially leasing a battery and becoming their electricity customer. It's a different product entirely. The prices above are for batteries you own outright with no ongoing commitments.

Decision Guide

Is Battery Backup Right for You?

Battery is a great fit if...

  • You want silent, seamless backup—no noise, no fumes
  • You have or plan to add solar panels
  • Your typical outages are under 12 hours
  • You value aesthetics (wall-mounted, no outdoor unit)
  • You want zero maintenance
  • You're in an HOA with noise restrictions
  • You want to take advantage of the 30% tax credit

Battery might not be ideal if...

  • You need 24+ hours of whole-home power (including AC)
  • You have natural gas and want the lowest upfront cost
  • Your home is 4,000+ sq ft with heavy power demands
  • Budget is a primary concern (generators cost less per kW)
  • You've experienced multi-day outages and need indefinite runtime
Common Questions

Battery Backup FAQ

It depends on what you're running. A single Powerwall (13.5 kWh) can power essential circuits—lights, fridge, WiFi, phone chargers—for 10-24 hours. If you're running the AC, that drops to 4-8 hours depending on your system size and outdoor temperature. Most Texas homeowners who want whole-home backup go with 2-3 units.

Explore Other Options

Find out exactly how many batteries your home needs.

Our free assessment takes 3 minutes and gives you a personalized recommendation based on your home, your power needs, and your budget.

Get Your Free Assessment