Determining that it’s time to outfit your home with a home battery backup is one thing. Then you potentially have to install an alternative energy system, determine how many batteries you need, what sorts of other electrical infrastructure are necessary (inverters, switches and more) and settle on a place for the batteries themselves. This short post should help with that.
Inside or Outside?
First, you need to determine whether you will mount the battery (or batteries) inside or outside. While there are some batteries that can be mounted outside and exposed to the weather, such as EG4 all-weather batteries, make sure that the location you choose is ultimately suitable for the batteries in question.
Access
While modern lithium batteries used in home battery backup systems require little to no maintenance, you still need to choose an area where technicians will be able to access the batteries and electrical components, for inspection and in the event anything ever needs to be repaired or replaced.
Protection Against Sunlight and Water
Unless you are installing an outdoor battery like an EG4 all-weather battery, you will want to choose a location that is shielded against sunlight and water, as direct sunlight can overheat and damage batteries, and water intrusion can do the same.
Protection Against Extreme Temperatures
Both very high and very low temperatures are not good for batteries, and can shorten their lifespans and adversely impact their performance. Some advanced batteries have built-in self-heating technology, but as a general rule, it’s best if the location you choose for the install shields them against high and low temperatures.
Clearances
There may be local codes that require you to maintain certain clearances around the batteries for purposes of fire prevention. Make sure that the area you choose for the install is large enough and enables you to maintain compliance with any local codes. As a general rule you will also want to maintain at least a few feet of space between each battery if more than one is used in the install.
Wall Mounted Considerations
Some batteries are designed to be wall-mounted, but if so, local codes may require you to install a firewall on the wall behind them. If you have any questions about this get in touch with an electrician in your area, or with your fire marshal.
Choose a Location Close to the Meter If Possible
The closer your home battery backup system is to your home’s electrical meter, the shorter the cable run will be, which can simplify the installation and potentially keep costs down.
Explore EG4 All-Weather Batteries Online at BigBattery
For those of you considering outfitting your home with a home battery backup, consider the EG4 all-weather batteries available online at BigBattery. They are powerful, long-lasting, easy to install, and equipped with a wide range of built-in safety features.
BigBattery’s customer service team can also help you decide what batteries and other interconnection devices are necessary for your home. Visit their website and get in touch with them if you have any questions.
