A battery-powered house? You can make that a reality.

Growing up in rural Tennessee, power outages were a common occurrence, but they sometimes turned into enjoyable experiences. Without TV or lights, we resorted to playing board games by candlelight or venturing outside if the storm passed. However, running a restaurant out of our home meant that spoiled food from the fridges during power outages resulted in significant financial losses. Back then, the idea of a large battery solving this issue seemed far-fetched.

With extreme weather intensifying due to climate change, causing more people to face disruptive blackouts, the home battery industry is thriving. Unlike regular AAA batteries, these are robust lithium-ion batteries designed to power multiple devices and appliances during power failures. The storage capacity of residential batteries, measured in gigawatt hours (GWh), surged by a remarkable 54 percent from 2023 to 2024 in the United States, capable of powering up to 1 million homes. The growth is even more substantial in Europe.

While many home batteries store energy from solar panels, there is a rising demand for backup batteries that can keep essential appliances like refrigerators running during outages. Some of these batteries are smart, charging when energy is cheap and discharging when it’s costly to save on utility bills. Additionally, appliances with built-in batteries are emerging for improved efficiency.

The advancement in home batteries goes beyond preventing food spoilage. By incorporating battery capacity into homes, the power grid gains resilience against energy spikes, leading to reduced costs for everyone. Although battery-powered homes are still a minority in the US, the affordability and accessibility of home batteries are increasing, allowing more households to benefit from the electric future.

One notable home battery is BioLite’s Backup, designed by a Brooklyn-based company known for its innovative camp stoves. Priced at $2,000, the Backup battery addresses the issue of food spoilage during power outages. It is a slim battery pack that can be placed behind or on top of a refrigerator, connecting to a standard wall outlet without the need for rewiring. By plugging appliances into the Backup’s power strip, it can provide 15 to 30 hours of power, extendable to several days with multiple batteries.

The functionality of home batteries like Backup extends beyond addressing immediate concerns. These batteries enable users to take advantage of time-of-use pricing offered by utilities, making electricity cheaper during off-peak hours. Furthermore, when paired with solar panels, homeowners can maximize their energy independence by charging batteries without drawing from the grid. Moreover, net metering allows surplus energy to be sold back to the grid during peak demand.

Innovative solutions are emerging to simplify the adoption of battery-powered living. For instance, Copper’s Charlie stove integrates a lithium-ion battery, charging when electricity rates are low and sustaining everyday cooking during outages. This trend of battery-equipped appliances is likely to expand, enhancing energy efficiency and grid stability.

While the upfront costs of these advanced appliances are substantial, the declining battery production costs hint at wider adoption in the future. Despite challenges posed by the current administration’s stance on clean energy, the momentum of the home battery revolution remains unstoppable. As technology evolves, electric vehicles with bidirectional charging capabilities may further contribute to home energy solutions.

Although the US lags behind Europe and China in embracing battery power, the decreasing costs and increasing accessibility of batteries suggest a promising future. With climate change fueling more severe weather events, being prepared for power outages is becoming increasingly crucial. The incorporation of batteries into household appliances represents a proactive step in adapting to unpredictable circumstances.