When the power goes out in St. Louis, it is usually a summer storm or an ice storm, and it can last a few hours or a few days. For years the only real answer was a gas generator. Today a growing number of homeowners in Chesterfield, O'Fallon, St. Charles and Kirkwood are asking us about battery backup instead. Here is how the two compare, and how we install battery systems built on Anker SOLIX.
How battery backup works
A home battery system stores electricity and hands it to your home's circuits the moment the grid drops. We connect it to your panel through a transfer switch or a dedicated inlet, so the circuits you choose (the furnace blower, the fridge, the sump pump, lights, Wi-Fi, the home office) keep running without you doing anything.
The battery recharges from the grid when power returns, and it can also charge from solar panels if you add them, so a longer outage on a sunny week does not have to end when the battery runs down.
Battery backup vs. a standby generator
Noise and fumes. A generator runs an engine. A battery system is silent and has no exhaust, so it can sit in a garage or utility area instead of the side yard.
Fuel. Generators burn natural gas or propane. A battery needs no fuel line and no tank, and it can refill from solar.
Upkeep. Generators need regular oil changes, filters and exercise runs. A battery system has far less ongoing upkeep.
Run time. This is where generators still win: with a gas line, a generator can run for days. A battery runs as long as its stored energy lasts, which is why sizing it to the circuits you actually need, and adding solar, matters.
Power for big loads. Central air, electric ranges and well pumps draw a lot. A battery system can run them only if it is sized for it. We walk through your loads before recommending anything.
For many homes the right answer is battery backup for the essentials, sized honestly to what you want running.
Why we install Anker SOLIX
Anker SOLIX whole-home systems recharge from the grid or solar, expand as your needs grow, and are monitored from an app. We work with Anker directly, so we can help you choose the right setup and install it properly.
For whole-home backup, the two Anker systems we install most are the Anker SOLIX E10, Anker's newest whole-home system, which connects at a 200A panel through its Power Dock and switches the house over automatically, and the modular Anker SOLIX X1, which stacks 5 kWh battery modules up to 30 kWh. For homes with large solar arrays or heavier loads, we also install EG4 FlexBOSS inverters with the GridBOSS. Specifications are on our battery backup page.
What it costs: a solar-ready whole-home battery system typically runs $10,000 to $20,000 installed, and most projects with solar run $20,000 to $35,000 or more. No two homes are alike, so the price depends on battery capacity, the size of the solar array, what you want running and whether your panel needs work. Details are on our battery backup page.
Your exact price depends on your home and the system you choose. We quote it after a free on-site visit.
What installation involves
- Load review. We list what you want running during an outage and check your panel and service.
- System choice. We recommend the Anker SOLIX setup that covers those loads, with room to grow.
- Permit. We pull the electrical permit with your county or city.
- Installation. We install the transfer switch or inlet, connect the battery and set up monitoring.
- Inspection and walkthrough. After the inspection passes, we show you how it works and what happens in an outage.
If your home still has 100-amp service or an old panel, we will tell you, and a panel upgrade can be done at the same time.
Where we install
We install battery backup across St. Louis County and St. Charles County, including Chesterfield, O'Fallon, St. Charles, St. Peters, Kirkwood and Wildwood.
Frequently asked questions
Can a battery run my whole house? It can if it is sized for it, but most homeowners get better value backing up the essentials. We size the system to the circuits you choose.
Does battery backup work with solar? Yes. Anker SOLIX systems can charge from solar, which extends how long you can ride out an outage.
Do I still need a generator? Usually not. If you need days of full-house power with central air running, a generator may still fit. We will give you an honest recommendation either way.
Ready to see what battery backup would look like in your home? See our battery backup page or book a free estimate.