Is home battery storage right for you? 5 things to consider

Home battery storage is becoming an increasingly popular option for homeowners looking for more flexibility in how they generate, store and use electricity.

But a battery isn’t automatically the right choice for every household.

Before investing in a battery energy storage system (BESS), it’s worth asking what you actually want the battery to do. Are you looking for backup power? Do you have solar panels, or are you considering them? Are you interested in changing when you use electricity? Or are you curious about participating in programs that reward you for helping manage electricity demand?

Here are five things to consider before making the investment.

1. What do you want your battery to do?

Start with the outcome you’re looking for.

Depending on the system, a home battery can help you:

• Store electricity generated by rooftop solar
• Use stored electricity when your solar panels aren’t producing
• Provide backup power to selected appliances or circuits during an outage
• Shift when you draw electricity from the grid
• Participate in programs that reward customers for helping manage electricity demand

Different battery systems are designed for different purposes, so understanding what you want your battery to do is an important first step.

2. Do you have, or are you planning, solar?

Solar and batteries can work particularly well together.

During the day, solar panels can generate electricity while you’re away or using less energy. A battery can store some of that electricity so it can be used later, such as in the early evening (when rates can be higher) or when your solar panels aren’t producing.

This can give you more flexibility in how and when you use the electricity your solar system generates.

If you’re considering solar and battery storage together, it’s also worth looking into available incentives and their eligibility requirements before you purchase or install equipment.

For example, the Home Renovation Savings program currently offers incentives for eligible solar and battery storage projects. Under its solar and storage stream, battery storage must be paired with a new rooftop solar PV system; standalone batteries are not eligible.

Be sure to review the program requirements before getting started.

3. Would backup power be valuable to you?

For some homeowners, one of the biggest benefits of a battery isn’t about managing electricity use — it’s about having another option during a power outage.

Depending on the system, a battery can provide electricity to selected appliances or circuits when the power is out.

Think about what matters most to your household. Would keeping your refrigerator, internet connection, sump pump, heating equipment or other essential loads operating during an outage provide meaningful peace of mind?

If backup power is one of your priorities, ask your installer exactly what the battery can support, how long it could provide power and whether additional equipment is required.

4. How much energy do you actually use?

A battery needs to be sized for your home and your goals.

A larger battery isn’t necessarily a better battery. The right size depends on factors such as:

• Your household’s electricity use
• Your solar system’s generation, if applicable
• Which appliances or circuits you want to back up
• How long you want backup power to last
• How you plan to use the battery day to day

Before choosing a system, look at your electricity consumption and talk with a qualified installer about what size makes sense for your home.

And remember: a battery doesn’t create electricity. It stores it for later use.

5. What value will you get?

A battery is a significant investment, so it’s worth looking at both the upfront cost and the potential benefits over time.

Consider:

• Equipment and installation costs
• Electrical upgrades or other installation requirements
• Available incentives and rebates
• The value of backup power to your household
• How you plan to use the battery
• Equipment warranty and expected lifespan
• Whether you’re interested in participating in an energy management or demand-response program

There may also be incentives available to help offset the cost.

For eligible Ontario homeowners, the Home Renovation Savings program currently offers incentives for qualifying solar and battery storage projects. Its solar and storage battery incentive is available when the battery is paired with a new rooftop solar PV system and is subject to program requirements, including a 50% eligible-cost cap.

If you’re considering a battery, it’s worth checking the eligibility requirements for any available programs before purchasing or installing equipment.

What about GridFlex?

If you’re already considering a home battery, GridFlex is another opportunity worth exploring.

In select Kanata and Stittsville areas, eligible Hydro Ottawa residential customers with qualifying battery storage systems can participate in GridFlex events that help reduce electricity demand during peak periods.

During these brief, time-limited events, a participating battery may temporarily adjust how it uses or supplies electricity to help reduce demand on the local electricity system. In return, participating customers can receive rewards.

It’s one way your battery can do more than store electricity for your home — it can also play a role in supporting the local electricity system.

GridFlex may also offer incentives for eligible battery storage projects. Visit our GridFlex webpage for the latest eligibility requirements and available offers.

One important step: connect before you install

Installing solar or battery storage isn’t quite like buying a new appliance.

Because these systems connect to your home’s electrical system and can interact with the electricity grid, there are technical requirements and approvals to consider.

Do not purchase or install your equipment until you have received the required approvals for your project.

If you’re considering a new solar or battery storage system, start by visiting our Guide to connecting solar and battery storage to understand the applicable distributed energy resource (DER) connection process and requirements.

So, is a home battery right for you?

It depends on what you want to accomplish.

A battery could make sense if you’re looking for:

• More flexibility in how you use electricity generated by solar
• Backup power during an outage
• Greater control over when you draw electricity from the grid
• Opportunities to participate in demand-response programs
• A way to store electricity for later use

Before you buy, take some time to understand your goals, your energy use, your home’s electrical setup and the incentives that may be available to you.

If you’re considering solar and battery storage, explore the Home Renovation Savings program’s Solar and Battery Energy Storage stream.

And if you’re a Hydro Ottawa customer in an eligible area of Kanata or Stittsville, learn more about GridFlex and how battery storage can participate.