Due to climate change, other environmental concerns continue to rise day by day. More storms, blizzards, hurricanes, floods, and rainfall are all a cause of concern to everyone. This increase in disasters means the need to be prepared is more important than ever before. You never know when you might need a home backup power source as these climate disasters become more frequent. The go-to backup power source for most people has been the traditional generator.
These generators are powered by diesel, propane, or natural gas and only add to this issue of climate change. These generators cause more harm to the environment as they release harmful gases back into the atmosphere. And not just the environment – fuel generators also produce carbon monoxide, an odorless gas that is also directly harmful to human beings.
Luckily for us, as technology continues to advance, newer, cleaner, and more eco-friendly home backup power sources are now available. To be prepared against a loss of electricity, consider these tips and suggestions when looking for a backup power source.
Evaluate Your Needs
Before purchasing and installing a backup power source, you need to know how much power you really need. All homes use different amounts of energy. Some houses have fewer people, and some have a higher number of appliances that need to be kept running.
You need to calculate how much power you would need in case of an outage. The best way to evaluate how much power your home needs is by getting a professional assessment. Contact a certified electrician and allow them to assess your total electrical consumption. It will be much easier to choose an eco-friendly backup that suits your needs once you know how much power you require.
Compare And Evaluate Backup Options
There are so many options to choose from when looking for a backup power source. The days of only having traditional generators to choose from are long gone. New technology has brought forward multiple different and eco-friendly backup power source options. Let’s look at a few of them!
Backup Battery Packs
Backup Batteries are a very good option if you experience regular but short-term power outages where you live. These battery packs can be connected to the grid and get directly charged through there. The good thing about battery packs is that no resources are used or wasted in the charging of these batteries as they are connected to the grid.
They also require very less maintenance as there are almost no moving parts, making them better for your wallet too! These batteries can also be connected to solar panels or other generators if you want to be entirely off the grid.
Solar Power And Batteries
Solar power is the most environmentally friendly backup power option there is. You catch and convert sunlight into electricity and then store it to use whenever needed. While the initial costs may be a little high, solar power soon makes up for it as sunlight is free, and they also require little to no maintenance over their long life. Solar panels don’t use fossil fuels and are renewable, noiseless, and safe.
Consider The Cost
While every home should have a backup power source, consider how expensive it will get for you. If your backup power source causes your regular power bill to increase significantly, you will be losing money, causing it to become counterproductive. Find the options within your price range and consider all the costs, the initial, the running, and the maintenance costs, before you purchase.
Final Thoughts
While any kind of backup power is better for the environment than traditional fossil fuel-powered generators, they all are different and vary in price. Some might work for your home, and some might not. Some are wholly impractical, and some might be perfect for you. Consider every option before you buy an eco-friendly home backup power source.
