What to know: home backup power leading into winter
Written by
11 June 2024
•
4 min read
We all know how unpredictable our power supply can be, especially with New Zealand’s wild winter weather bringing rain, hail and snow.
To help keep households and businesses connected, EcoFlow provides battery-powered portable power stations – keeping power conveniently connected in every situation without the noise, fumes and fuss of a traditional gas generator.
It also brings peace of mind to off-grid projects, where there may be aging power facilities or erratic power supply, and to homes during cyclones.
“All our portable power stations are equipped with the EcoFlow Battery Management System, which regulates voltage, current and temperature to give you a battery that lasts for years on end.
“Combined with our range of fixed and flexible solar panels, the EcoFlow ecosystem allows clean, quiet, renewable power – ideal for off-grid and as a home electricity backup,” says Jamie Elliott, product manager for EcoFlow.
Every home and situation is different, though.
“I’d always recommend calculating your power requirements; you can do this by checking the power rating of the appliances you need to run. This way you can make sure that you have the right power station for your needs.”
The portable generators homeowners need for different outages
Hours-long outages
“The Delta 2 is the perfect option for shorter periods without power,” says Elliott. “With 1024Wh capacity and 1800W max AC output, the Delta 2 can keep your essential appliances powered up until the power comes on – whether that is medical equipment like a CPAP machine, your phone, Wi-Fi router and laptop so that you can keep in contact with friends and family, or your fridge and freezer to make sure your food doesn’t spoil.”
The Delta 2 also has the option to attach additional batteries which means you can increase the battery capacity up to 3072Wh. It can also be charged via solar panels, giving you the ability to recharge via the sun.
One-day outages
For longer periods without power, the Delta 2 Max is a great option. With a 2048Wh battery capacity, which can be expanded to 6144Wh, and a max 2400W AC output, you can rest assured that you’ll be able to run all your essential appliances and more.
The Delta 2 Max also has two solar input ports, enabling up to 1000W input for recharging via solar panels.
Multi-day outages
For extended outages, the Delta Pro is the best option with a huge 3600Wh capacity that can be expanded to 10800Wh with two extra batteries.
“The Delta Pro has a maximum AC output of 3600W across four AC outlets,” says Elliott. “The integrated handle and wheels mean you can position the Delta Pro where you need it most. With up to 1600W of solar input, the Delta Pro can be paired with solar panels to keep the power topped up and ready to use.”
What does installation look like for EcoFlow’s backup power devices?
With the ability to also be used off-grid, EcoFlow Portable Power Stations don’t require installation – they are independent power solutions that house all the necessary components inside a single unit.
“All EcoFlow Portable Power stations include LFP batteries, a pure sinewave inverter, a Battery Management System and an MPPT Solar Controller. This gives a huge amount of flexibility, as you can move the Power Station to where you need it most.”
Read more: Powering a tiny home is easier than you think
How much does home backup power cost?
Factors such as capacity, output and other desired features for protection against an unexpected power cut influence the cost of home backup devices.
“You can find out the capacity and output needed by figuring out what appliances you plan to operate and how long you intend to use them in an emergency situation,” says Elliott. “The rule of thumb is the bigger the capacity and output, the more pricey a backup power system gets.”
Read more: Blackout vs brownout: how can you prepare for both?
Get in touch with EcoFlow to learn more about the right power backup solution for your project and explore more power solutions on ArchiPro.