What Is the Right Backup Power for My Home?

What is the right backup power for my home?

As a Colorado homeowner, you don't have to wait for the next power outage to learn more about backup power. Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical has been helping homeowners make the right decisions for their home since 1926. We’ll help you understand your options so you can choose the right backup power solution for your home.

Colorado weather can be unpredictable. Severe storms, heavy snow, high winds, wildfires, extreme temperatures, and other events can all contribute to power interruptions. And when the electricity goes out, the inconvenience can have consequences beyond a dark house.

Your heating and cooling system may stop working. Refrigerated food can spoil. Garage doors, sump pumps, medical equipment, Wi-Fi and other essential systems may be unavailable.

That's why more Denver-area homeowners are considering whole-home backup power before they need it.

But there's an important question:

What type of backup power is right for your home?

For some homeowners, a battery energy storage system such as Tesla Powerwall may be an excellent solution. For others, a Generac standby generator may provide the kind of long-duration backup they're looking for.

At Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, we're certified installers for both Tesla Powerwall and Generac generators. That means we understand the pros and cons of both. Our job is to help you understand your options and choose the solution that makes sense for your home.

What Is Home Backup Power?

Home backup power is a system designed to provide electricity to your home when utility power is interrupted.

There are two common approaches:

Battery backup is where a battery energy storage system stores electricity and provides power to your home when the grid goes down.

A standby generator is a permanently installed generator that uses a fuel source to generate electricity during an outage and can automatically turn on when the grid shuts down.

Both can provide valuable peace of mind—but they work differently, and neither is automatically "better." The right choice depends on your home, your priorities, and how you want your backup system to perform during an outage.

Here's a simplified way to think about the two technologies:

A Tesla Powerwall

• Is battery energy storage
• Uses stored electrical energy
• Automatically provides backup power when configured to do so
• Offers very quiet operation
• Requires no fuel
• Works during prolonged outages, depending on battery capacity, usage, and available recharging
• Is best suited for homeowners interested in battery backup, quiet operation, and energy storage

Generac Standby Generator

• Is a fuel-powered generator
• Generates electricity
• Uses a transfer switch to automatically start and provide backup power during an outage
• Automatically transfers back to the grid when power is restored
• Produces engine noise while operating
• Requires an appropriate fuel supply
• Can continue operating as long as fuel is available
• Is best suited for homeowners prioritizing long-duration backup and generator capacity

Exact capabilities depend on the equipment selected, home electrical system, installation and configuration.

When Does a Powerwall Make Sense?

A battery backup system can be an attractive option for homeowners who want quiet, automatic backup power without a traditional engine running outside the home. A Powerwall can store electrical energy for use when utility power is unavailable.

For some homeowners, that's particularly appealing because there is:

• No engine noise during operation
• No gasoline or propane delivery during an outage
• No combustion engine running outside the home
• Automatic backup capabilities
• The potential to integrate battery storage into a broader home energy strategy

Battery storage can also be appealing to homeowners who are interested in managing how and when their home uses stored energy. But battery capacity is an important consideration.

A battery system has a finite amount of stored energy. How long it can power your home depends on factors such as your home's electrical demand, which appliances and systems you're powering, the battery capacity, and whether the system has a way to recharge. You’ll want to engage a professional to evaluate your electrical infrastructure.

When Does a Generac Generator Make Sense?

For homeowners who want long-duration backup power, a standby generator can be an excellent solution. A Generac standby generator is permanently installed outside the home and can automatically provide backup electricity when utility power is interrupted. One of the biggest advantages of a generator is that it creates electricity rather than relying solely on stored energy. That can make a generator particularly attractive when outages may last for an extended period.

Depending on the system and fuel supply, a standby generator can continue operating as long as it has access to fuel. For homeowners who want to keep essential systems operating during a prolonged outage, that's an important consideration.

What Should You Keep Running During a Power Outage?

Here's where backup power decisions get more interesting. You don't necessarily need to power everything in your home.

Many homeowners want to prioritize essential systems such as:

• Heating
• Air conditioning
• Refrigerator and freezer
• Lights
• Internet and Wi-Fi
• Garage door
• Sump pump
• Security systems
• Medical equipment
• Electrical outlets
• Certain appliances

Other homeowners want something closer to whole-home backup, where the goal is to maintain normal household operations as much as possible. Your decision about what to power can significantly impact the size and type of backup system you'll need.

That's why "How big of a generator do I need?" isn't really the first question. The better question is "What do I want my home to be able to do when the power goes out?"

5 Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Home Backup System

1. How long do you want to be prepared for an outage?
A short outage and a multi-day outage present very different backup-power requirements. If your primary concern is keeping essential systems operating for several hours, a battery may be an excellent fit. If you're concerned about prolonged outages, fuel availability and generator capacity may become more important considerations.

2. What do you want to keep running?
Determine if you want to keep just the basics powered, like your refrigerator, lights, and heating and cooling system running. Or, if you want to use your stove, washer, and dryer, and other high-demand appliances functioning.

Your answers help determine how much backup capacity you'll need.

3. Do you already have solar?
If you have solar—or are considering adding it—battery storage may be worth exploring as part of a larger home energy strategy. A qualified professional can evaluate how the systems can work together and what happens when the utility grid goes down.

4. What fuel sources are available at your home?
For a generator, the available fuel source and storage requirements are important considerations. Your electrical system, gas service, and installation location all need to be evaluated before selecting a generator.

5. Do you want backup power—or peace of mind?
This may sound like the same thing, but it's not. Some homeowners want the most comprehensive backup solution possible. Others want to protect a handful of critical systems. Some value quiet operation while others prioritize the ability to run for an extended period.

There isn't one right answer for every home.

Why Professional Installation Matters

Backup power isn't simply a matter of plugging a generator or battery into your home. These systems become part of your home's electrical infrastructure.

A professional installation will evaluate:

• Your home's electrical system
• Electrical load
• Available capacity
• Which circuits you want to back up
• Equipment location
• Electrical connections
• Required equipment
• Applicable codes and permits
• Fuel requirements for generators
• Integration with other home energy equipment

The goal isn't simply to install backup equipment, it's to create a backup-power system that works properly for your home.

Why Bell Is a Different Kind of Backup Power Partner

Choosing backup power can feel like a complicated decision. At Bell Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, we take a consultative approach to helping you understand your options for backup power.

We're a certified Tesla Powerwall installer and a certified Generac installer, so we understand the nuances of both. And because Bell has been serving Colorado homeowners since 1926, we're not just thinking about the equipment. We're thinking about your home.

We’ll give you clear information, transparent options, and expert guidance so you can make a confident decision about how you want your home to perform when the power goes out.

Ready to Prepare for the Next Power Outage?

Bell can evaluate your home's electrical system, discuss your backup-power priorities, and help you compare your options.

Let's find the backup power solution that's right for your home.

Call (303) 731-5469