The Importance of Whole-Home Battery Backup During Evergy Energy Outages

Ensuring Uninterrupted Power Supply

The Reality of Evergy Energy Outages

In 2023, Evergy reported an average of 4.2 power outages per customer, lasting an average of 2.4 hours each. These outages can result from various factors such as severe weather, equipment failure, or maintenance work. During these periods, households without a backup power source face significant disruptions.

The Role of Whole-Home Battery Backup Systems

Whole-home battery backup systems provide a reliable solution to these disruptions. These systems can automatically detect power outages and switch to battery power within milliseconds, ensuring that there is no interruption in your home’s power supply. For example, Tesla Powerwall and LG Chem RESU are popular options that offer seamless transition and high reliability.

Case Study: Benefits in Missouri

Missouri experiences frequent severe weather, including thunderstorms, tornadoes, and ice storms, which can lead to extended power outages. In the past decade, Missouri has faced an average of 30 severe weather events annually. Whole-home battery backups can provide a crucial lifeline during these events, ensuring that homes remain powered and safe.

Protecting Essential Appliances and Systems

Importance of Continuous Power for Essential Appliances

During a power outage, maintaining power to essential appliances is crucial. For example, refrigerators and freezers keep food from spoiling, which can save a household hundreds of dollars in food costs. Medical devices, such as CPAP machines and oxygen concentrators, require uninterrupted power to ensure the health and safety of individuals who rely on them.

Real-Life Impact: Refrigeration

The USDA estimates that the average family of four spends about $936 per month on groceries. During a power outage lasting over four hours, perishable items like meat, dairy, and prepared foods can spoil, resulting in significant financial loss. Whole-home battery backups prevent these losses by keeping refrigeration units operational.

Health and Safety: Medical Devices

For individuals relying on medical equipment, power outages can pose serious health risks. According to the American Sleep Apnea Association, over 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, many of whom use CPAP machines. During an outage, a whole-home battery backup ensures these devices continue functioning, preventing health emergencies.

Security Systems and Safety

Power outages can also disable home security systems, leaving homes vulnerable to intrusions. Modern security systems, including surveillance cameras and alarms, depend on continuous power. A whole-home battery backup ensures these systems remain active, providing peace of mind and enhanced safety.

Enhancing Energy Independence

Reducing Dependence on the Grid

Whole-home battery backup systems play a crucial role in reducing reliance on the power grid. These systems store energy from the grid during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower. In Missouri, the average household consumes about 877 kWh of electricity per month. With a battery backup, a significant portion of this demand can be met during outages or peak times, ensuring continuous power without depending solely on the grid.

Financial Benefits of Energy Independence

One of the significant advantages of energy independence through battery backups is the potential for financial savings. By charging the battery during off-peak hours, homeowners can use this stored energy during peak hours when electricity rates are higher. Evergy’s peak rates can be up to 60% higher than off-peak rates. A whole-home battery system helps avoid these higher costs by supplying stored energy during expensive periods, leading to substantial savings on energy bills.

Stability During Outages

During power outages, a whole-home battery backup system ensures stability and reliability. These systems automatically switch to battery power when an outage is detected, providing an uninterrupted power supply. This seamless transition is critical in areas like Missouri, which experiences an average of 30 severe weather events annually, often leading to power disruptions.

Case Study: Battery Backup Performance

Consider a Missouri household that installed a 13.5 kWh Tesla Powerwall. During a severe storm, which caused a 24-hour power outage, the battery backup kept essential systems running, such as heating, refrigeration, and lighting. The family reported no disruption to their daily activities, highlighting the system's effectiveness in ensuring energy independence and resilience.

Cost Savings on Energy Bills

Off-Peak Energy Utilization

Whole-home battery backup systems can significantly reduce energy bills by optimizing energy usage patterns. These systems store energy from the grid during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower. In Missouri, off-peak rates can be significantly cheaper, often by up to 60%. By utilizing stored energy during peak hours, homeowners can avoid these higher costs, leading to substantial savings.

Peak Shaving

Peak shaving is another financial benefit of battery backup systems. This process involves using stored energy during peak demand periods when energy rates are highest. For example, Evergy's peak demand rates can be much higher than standard rates. By relying on battery power during these times, homeowners can reduce their electricity bills and lessen the impact of peak pricing.

Real-Life Savings

A study by the Rocky Mountain Institute found that homeowners using battery backup systems could save up to 65% on their annual energy bills. For a typical Missouri household spending $1,500 annually on electricity, this could mean savings of $975 per year. Over the lifespan of a battery system, these savings can add up significantly.

Demand Charges Mitigation

In addition to residential savings, battery backup systems can also benefit small businesses by mitigating demand charges. Demand charges are fees based on the highest rate of electricity consumption during a billing period. By using stored energy during peak consumption periods, businesses can lower these charges, leading to further cost reductions.

Minimizing Disruption and Stress

Maintaining Daily Routines

Power outages can severely disrupt daily routines, affecting work, school, and household activities. With a whole-home battery backup system, these disruptions are minimized. The system provides a seamless transition to battery power, ensuring that essential tasks and routines continue uninterrupted. For families in Missouri, where severe weather often leads to power outages, this reliability is crucial.

Working from Home

With the rise of remote work, maintaining a stable power supply has become even more important. A power outage can disrupt internet connectivity and power to computers, making it difficult to work from home. A whole-home battery backup ensures that remote workers have a continuous power supply, allowing them to maintain productivity and meet work deadlines.

Education Continuity

For students, especially those engaged in online learning, power outages can mean missing important classes and falling behind in their studies. A battery backup system ensures that computers, Wi-Fi routers, and other essential devices remain operational, providing a stable environment for learning even during an outage.

Emotional and Mental Well-being

Power outages can be stressful, leading to anxiety and discomfort, especially during extreme weather conditions. The uncertainty and disruption caused by outages can negatively impact mental well-being. A whole-home battery backup system provides peace of mind, knowing that your home will remain powered and comfortable. This stability is particularly important for families with young children or elderly members who may be more vulnerable during outages.

Supporting Renewable Energy Integration

Compatibility with Renewable Sources

Whole-home battery backup systems are designed to integrate seamlessly with renewable energy sources like solar panels. While your current setup might not include solar panels, having a battery system now can future-proof your home for later renewable energy integration. This means when you decide to add solar panels, your home will already be equipped to store and use solar energy efficiently.

Environmental Impact

Battery backup systems contribute to environmental sustainability. By storing and using energy more efficiently, they reduce the overall demand on the power grid, which can help decrease the reliance on fossil fuel-based power plants. This can lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a cleaner environment.

Reduced Grid Strain

During peak demand times, the power grid can become strained, leading to increased use of less efficient and more polluting energy sources. By using stored energy from a battery backup during these times, you can help alleviate this strain. This not only benefits the environment but can also lead to fewer outages and more stable power supply for everyone.

Financial Incentives

Many states offer financial incentives for installing battery backup systems, even without solar. For example, Missouri has various rebate programs and tax incentives for energy storage systems. These incentives can significantly reduce the upfront cost of a battery backup system, making it a more attractive investment.

Long-Term Investment in Home Resilience

Increasing Home Value

Investing in a whole-home battery backup system can significantly increase the value of your property. Potential homebuyers are increasingly looking for energy-efficient and resilient homes. According to a study by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), homes with energy storage systems can sell for up to 5% more than comparable homes without these systems.

Enhanced Home Resilience

A whole-home battery backup system enhances your home's resilience against power outages. In Missouri, where severe weather events are common, having a reliable power backup can make a significant difference. This resilience ensures that your home remains functional during emergencies, which can be a critical factor for families considering the long-term livability of their residence.

Longevity and Durability

Modern battery systems, such as the Tesla Powerwall and LG Chem RESU, are designed to last for over a decade with minimal maintenance. These systems typically come with warranties of 10 years or more, ensuring that your investment is protected. The longevity and durability of these systems make them a reliable long-term solution for energy storage and backup power.

Insurance Benefits

Installing a whole-home battery backup system can also lead to lower homeowners insurance premiums. Insurance companies recognize that homes with reliable backup power systems are less likely to suffer damage from power outages, such as food spoilage or frozen pipes. This reduced risk can result in lower insurance costs, adding to the financial benefits of your investment.

Future-Proofing Your Home

As energy technologies continue to evolve, having a battery backup system ensures that your home is ready to integrate with future advancements. Whether it's adding solar panels, participating in energy trading programs, or integrating with smart home technologies, a whole-home battery system keeps your home at the forefront of energy innovation.

Supporting Evergy Energy outages through Whole-Home Battery Backup

A whole-home battery backup system is a wise investment for ensuring uninterrupted power supply during Evergy energy outages. It protects essential appliances, enhances energy independence, reduces energy bills, minimizes disruptions, supports environmental sustainability, and increases home resilience and value. By choosing a whole-home battery backup system, you are making a long-term commitment to the safety, comfort, and efficiency of your home.