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How to Pay for a Home Battery Backup System

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How to Pay for a Home Battery Backup System

A home battery keeps the lights on when the grid fails and can lower your utility bill by storing power when it is cheap.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $8,500 before anything else
Across the 0% window $472.22/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $8,500 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

Imagine the power goes out on your block but your lights stay on. A whole-house battery sits in your garage or on an exterior wall, silent and ready. It usually takes a crew about one to two days to install. The best time to book is late winter or early spring before the summer storm season hits and contractors get slammed.

You want at least three quotes for this. Installers often have different brands and labor rates. Check for local tax incentives in June or July when state programs often refresh their budgets. This can take a big bite out of that $8,500 sticker price.

This setup only works if you pay the full balance before the clock runs out. After those 18 months, any remaining balance will start accruing interest at the card's standard rate, which can be quite high.

The steps

  1. 01

    Get three quotes

    Don't settle for the first estimate. Ask about islanding, which is the battery's ability to disconnect from the grid so it can power your home during a blackout without sending electricity back into the lines.

  2. 02

    Check the tax credits

    The federal government usually offers a credit for battery storage. Check your local utility site in mid-year to see if they offer extra rebates for adding storage to the grid.

  3. 03

    Use the right card

    The Citi Simplicity® Credit Card offers 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. If you put the $8,500 cost on the card, you can pay it off in monthly chunks of $472.22 to finish before the interest kicks in.

  4. 04

    Schedule the install

    Aim for the off-season. Contractors are more likely to offer a discount on labor when they aren't busy fixing AC units or heaters during peak temperature months.

  5. 05

    Set your discharge rules

    Once it is installed, use the app to tell the battery when to kick in. You can save money by using stored power during peak hours when the utility company charges the most for electricity.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card carries the date a person verified it against Citi and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

How long does a home battery last?

Most lithium-ion batteries are rated for about 10 years of daily use. After that, they still work but won't hold as much energy as they did on day one.

Can a battery run my central AC?

It depends on the size. A single $8,500 unit usually handles lights, the fridge, and some outlets, but you might need two batteries to run a large air conditioner for a long time.

Do I need solar panels for a battery?

No, you can charge a battery straight from the wall when power is cheap. However, solar panels allow you to recharge the battery during a multi-day power outage.

What is a load center?

It is just a fancy name for your breaker box. An installer might need to add a sub-panel to separate the critical things you want to keep running during a blackout.