10 Tips for Buying a Home Battery

With the growing interest in solar energy and self-sufficiency, the home battery is becoming increasingly popular. But how do you know which battery suits you and what to look for? In this article , we share ten essential tips for purchasing a home battery. Whether you want to increase your self-consumption or want a backup for power outages: good preparation is essential.

Think about what you want to use the home battery for

Before purchasing a home battery, it is essential to determine how much energy you consume, when, and what you would like to use the home battery for. There are currently three main functions: increasing self-consumption of solar power, serving as a back-up supply for power outages, and trading on the electricity markets.

Choose the right battery type

There are different types of batteries available, such as the most well-known lithium-ion (NMC), lithium iron phosphate (LFP), lead acid and nickel iron. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of lifespan, safety, maintenance, price and environmental friendliness. Read up on it beforehand and compare different websites.

Compare the costs per kWh

The investment in a home battery is often between €500 and €1000 per kWh of storage. Ask suppliers what calculations they use when they make you an offer, and how they think the offer fits in with your energy consumption. Bigger seems better at first glance, but the return on that is more dependent on developments that you cannot control yourself (see 4.). The power (in kW) says something about how much power you can supply at the same time, and therefore how many devices can run on your battery at the same time. The capacity (in kWh) says something about how much can be stored, and therefore how long the devices can continue with the power from your battery.

Don't get hung up on short payback periods

Using the home battery exclusively for your own energy management often results in an unprofitable business case. In order to make the payback period of home batteries attractive in the short term, trading on various electricity markets – such as the imbalance market – is lucrative. The question is how long these earning markets will remain attractive, because more and more other batteries will compete on them. Therefore, do not count your chickens before they hatch in the short term with a home battery.

Check the warranty conditions and maintenance contracts

Read the warranty conditions carefully. They should state what kind of performance you can expect, such as the number of cycles the battery must be able to go through and how much capacity is guaranteed. Also inquire and check whether your installer has followed the brand-specific training of the manufacturer of the home battery. This is important for most warranty conditions from the manufacturer. A clear maintenance contract can help you avoid unexpected costs.

Ensure optimal integration with your solar panels and inverter

A home battery works best when it integrates seamlessly with your existing solar panels and inverter. This allows for higher self-consumption of your own generated power and can help to mitigate peak loads on the grid. Make sure your installer has experience with this integration to maximize the return on your investment. In any case, you will need a hybrid inverter so that the solar panels and home battery can be connected to each other.

Consider a Smart Energy Management System (HEMS)

A Home Energy Management System (HEMS) automates the charging and discharging process of your battery in conjunction with other devices in your home (such as your electric car charger) that can be controlled. This system can respond dynamically to variable energy rates: charging when prices are low and discharging when prices are higher. This allows you to get the maximum return on your investment.

Check the suitability of your meter cupboard and cabling

The connection of the home battery is via the meter cupboard. It is important to check whether the cabling and power groups can handle the extra load. With a combination of solar panels, batteries and possibly a charging station, the meter cupboard can become overloaded. Adjustments to the meter cupboard may be necessary to continue to control the devices safely. There are also 'plug & play' home batteries that can be connected directly to the socket. For these systems too, it is important that these batteries are installed safely by a certified installer (see point 10).

Pay extra attention to safety and installation

Installing home batteries safely can be a real challenge for installers. It is not a piece of cake: the battery must be placed in a place with sufficient ventilation, away from living areas, water pipes and escape routes. Correct integration into the existing electrical installation and adjusting the meter cupboard according to the applicable standards are crucial to prevent risks such as overheating or fire. In addition, some home batteries also make noise, so the location of installation is extra important. The risks differ per type of battery (see point 2.), so make sure you are well informed about this. You can find more information about the fire safety of home batteries on the website of the fire brigade .

Get well informed and consult an expert

A home battery is a complex system in which technical, economic and safety aspects come together. Therefore, seek advice from certified installers and experts who are aware of the latest developments and regulations. Good preparation and professional installation are essential to make the most of the investment and to guarantee safety. There are several ways for installers to demonstrate a quality standard, a certification from InstallQ (via echteinstallateur.nl ) is the most common.

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