A home battery backup can keep your essentials running during a power outage, but how long does it actually last — and is it worth the cost? Here’s what you need to know.
Batteries are a reliable way to store energy and keep your home powered during an outage, but they don’t last forever. Just like your smartphone battery, home batteries gradually lose their ability to hold a charge over time, meaning reduced efficiency and more frequent recharges as the years go by. Understanding their lifespan and maintenance needs can help you get the most out of your investment.
Powerwall 3 Home Gateway (Image: Tesla)
This behavior isn’t exclusive to just your smartphone battery. Pretty much all systems will see their battery capacity reduce over time and eventually need replacement. The same goes for home batteries, which are giant lithium-ion batteries that act as a backup power source for your home. They also have a limited lifespan and aren’t immune to the inevitable demise their smaller counterparts face.
“It’s no different than your iPhone battery,” Cameron McDonald, vice president of merchandising, planning and inventory at Batteries Plus, told CNET.
How long does a home battery last?
The most common types of home batteries, typically made of some sort of lithium-ion chemistry, degrade over time just like any other battery. Each time you charge and discharge your battery, it loses some of its capacity to hold a charge. It’s so inconsequential that you won’t notice it at first. After a few years, you might start to notice that your battery can’t hold a charge quite like it used to.
Your home battery is not going to live forever, but it might last longer than you think. “Anticipate it to last about 15 years,” McDonald said.
Read more: CNET