Emergency Power Supply: How to Choose Backup Power for Australian Homes

Power outages are simply unpalatable. In regions like Australia, where natural disasters like storms and floods are frequent, power outages are inevitable. In an era where electricity is critical to keep daily life functioning, sudden power outages can intensify the challenges.

Whether it is as simple as charging your laptop or as complicated as powering essential medical equipment, an emergency backup power supply can make all the difference.

This guide explains how to choose the right backup power solution for your Australian home and how much backup power you actually need.

What Is An Emergency Power System?

An emergency power system, aka the EPS, supplies electricity when traditional grid power fails. While these systems are highly critical for commercial spaces like hospitals and data centres, they are also becoming a household staple.

Usually, an emergency backup power supply combines a backup energy source with equipment that delivers or switches backup power.

• Batteries store energy for backup use, while generators produce electricity.

• For battery systems, an inverter converts stored DC electricity into AC. Where backup power is connected to household wiring, a transfer/changeover switch isolates the grid supply and selects the backup source.

Emergency power systems vary depending on their power output, storage capacities, and working mechanism. Simple units can run all your home essentials like lights, fans, and charging ports, while the larger setups with solar panels attached can help you go completely off the grid.

Discussed below are some commonly used emergency power systems in Australia.

UPS

An uninterruptible power supply, aka the UPS, is a reliable power source that can run a handful of essential home appliances during power outages. When power goes out or fluctuates, a UPS automatically switches to offer backup power.

A UPS comes with batteries, an inverter, and circuitry that handles the transfer to backup power. The batteries store the electricity from the grid and supply it during outages, while the inverter converts DC power from the batteries into AC for connected appliances.

Note: If the batteries are recharged from a grid power source, it can increase your electric bills significantly.

Portable Power Station

Currently, these systems are experiencing strong demand. As their name indicates, these are compact systems that are portable and offer reliable power backup. Their use case is equally suitable both at home and while living off the grid. They could be a one-stop solution for your backup power needs.

Fuel Generator

These devices burn fuel to generate power. They vary depending on their fuel type. From petrol to diesel and natural gas variants, their use cases range from small homes to large-scale enterprises. However, one critical disadvantage is their noise. So, they are mostly a stopgap approach during power outages.

Home Battery Backup

A home battery backup stores power from the grid or any other source, like solar panels. This power is then used to run home appliances during power outages. Their upfront costs are usually high as compared to fuel generators. However, if coupled with solar panels, the investment could help you save significantly on your electricity bills.

What Critical Loads Should You Backup First?

Emergency power backups ensure your home appliances operate reliably during power outages and offer peace of mind. However, it's crucial to manage your power needs in line with your emergency power supply capacity. One simple step to do this is to list all your appliances by criticality. This will prolong backup time for necessary appliances, making your investment effective.

Discussed below are some critical loads for a common household to ensure safety and comfort during grid failures.

Life-Saving Medical Devices

Medical devices are non-negotiable. Equipment like CPAP machines, home dialysis kits, oxygen concentrators, and other similar appliances are the most important loads. However, their electricity requirements vary from machine to machine, so it's advisable to check the labels to calculate their power needs. This ensures continuous operation and helps prevent any mishap.

Food Items and Refrigerator

Food is the very basis of survival; thus, ensuring that it doesn't deteriorate is critical. Modern-day refrigerators are excellent in terms of their energy efficiency. Actual consumption varies by model and operating conditions, but a typical refrigerator may use around 1-2 kWh per day while running. This will ensure reliable access to healthy and safe food during outages.

Communication Devices

During events of natural disasters like floods and tropical cyclones, which are quite frequent in Australia, staying in contact is a critical need. Usually, communication devices share a very small chunk of your power system's supply. A typical Wi-Fi router may consume around 0.20-0.50 kWh per day, depending on the model and usage. Similarly, for phone and laptop charging, the power requirements are even less.

Necessary Lighting

Lighting is a basic need of any home. During the day, sunshine can be enough. However, at night, proper lighting in key spaces like the kitchen and hallway is necessary. LED lights are highly energy-efficient and consume around 8 to 10 W. Proper lighting makes navigating the home hassle-free and further enhances a home's safety.

Which Size Of Emergency Power Supply Is Suitable For Home?

This depends on how many appliances you want to run. It's simple: the more devices, the larger the size of emergency power backup you will need.

Below is a detailed guide to choosing a suitable emergency power supply for your home.

Calculate Power Needs Of Appliances

Once you have listed your most needed appliances, it's time to calculate their power needs. In this regard, two terms that are "running power" and "surge power" are important.

The first is the amount of power an appliance uses during its normal operation. The latter is the amount of power a device needs to start functioning. Some appliances, particularly those with motors, compressors, or other high-inrush loads, require higher startup or surge power than their normal running power. Other loads may have little or no meaningful startup surge.

Now check the power consumption of each listed appliance to find out your total power needs. Below is a table of common home appliances and their power consumption.

The figures below are typical examples; actual power consumption and startup demand vary by model, operating cycle, and conditions.

The watt-based figures in the final column indicate example power/output allowances, not battery energy capacity. Battery capacity should be sized separately in Wh or kWh according to the required runtime.

How Much Energy (Watt-Hours) You Will Need

Emergency battery backups are described by both power output and energy capacity. Watts (W) and kilowatts (kW) measure how much power a system can supply at a given moment, with 1 kW equal to 1,000 W. Watt-hours (Wh) and kilowatt-hours (kWh) measure stored energy, with 1 kWh equal to 1,000 Wh. Now, the total energy you need to run your appliance can be calculated as:

Running Watts of Appliance x Hours of use = Total Energy consumption in Wh

For example, a backup system with a 1 kW output rating can supply loads totalling up to 1,000 W at once, but that rating alone does not determine runtime. A constant 1,000 W load running for one hour requires about 1,000 Wh of usable battery energy, plus allowance for conversion losses.

Consider Depth of Discharge and Recharge Time

No system is perfect. There are factors like depth of discharge and recharge time that should be considered while choosing an emergency battery backup for your home.

Depth of discharge (DoD) is the percentage of a battery's total capacity that has been discharged. Modern LiFePO4 batteries commonly support a high allowable DoD, although the exact limit depends on the battery design and manufacturer. Their recharge time is also fast. Similarly, some current is also lost while converting it from DC to AC.

Keep these points in mind when planning the battery backup for your home to ensure a reliable power supply.

What Is The Perfect Battery Backup For Power Outages?

Every home has its own needs. Thus, a one-size-fits-all approach is not applicable here. Below are three power backup units from BLUETTI with different output and capacity options for different load, runtime, and expansion requirements.

BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 Portable Power Station

This compact unit weighs only 25lbs and has a 1,800W rated output and 2,700W Lifting Power. The unit features a LiFePO4 battery that offers 4000-plus charge cycles. With its turbo charging mode, the system reaches 80% charge in only 45 minutes.

What makes this unit investment-worthy is its 10-year battery life. The Elite 100 V2 comes with 9 different ports that are compatible with almost 90% of your home appliances. Further, the unit operates at a 30 dB noise level under 600W, which is the same as a library.

So whether you're camping off the grid or need a small and reliable power backup for your home, the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 could be a perfect choice.

BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 Portable Power Station

With its 2600W output power, the BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 can support a range of backup loads, while suitability depends on the appliances being powered and the required runtime. Here are some standout features of this system:

• It can run 7 appliances simultaneously

• The system features an advanced battery management system. This monitoring system controls its performance and ensures a safe and reliable power backup.

• The unit features a LiFePO4 battery that charges to 80% in only 1.1 hours. Also, the 6000-plus charge cycles make the system a one-time investment.

• The approximate lifespan of the system is 17 years, with a 5-year company battery warranty.

The BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 is indeed a versatile and compact unit. It can run almost all your home appliances without compromising performance.

BLUETTI Apex 300 Versatile Power Station

Whether you're planning for power outages or going completely off the grid, the BLUETTI Apex 300 can help. This smart system has a power output capacity of 3840W and a power storage capacity of 2764Wh that is further extendable up to 100kWh.

That unit's battery is LiFePO4, which can last for 17 years. The unit features multiple ports that can run multiple devices simultaneously. Further, the BLUETTI Apex 300 has excellent ROI and can pay for itself in as little as 2 years.

The unit is simply a one-stop solution for all your power needs. It's modular, reliable, and safe. Further, its management through the BLUETTI app makes the experience hassle-free.

How To Charge an Emergency Power System During a Power Outage?

There are multiple sources that can charge your emergency power system when conventional grid power is not available. Here are details:

Fuel Generators

Fuel generators are a good option to recharge your home battery backup. However, there are certain drawbacks to using fuel generators. Firstly, their noise could be a problem. Secondly, they need a continuous fuel supply to operate, and maintaining this supply during extreme weather events is difficult.

Solar Panels

Trends for renewable energy are on a perpetual rise. The use of solar panels to get rid of high electricity bills is the new normal. They are an excellent way to charge emergency power systems. The energy produced is not only free but also helps you lower your carbon footprint.

Using Your Vehicle

Some emergency power backup systems, like those offered by BLUETTI, come with multiple recharging options, and among them is car charging. When no other recharge option is available, this can be a good recharging alternative.

How To Connect An Emergency Battery Backup?

For a home battery backup that connects to fixed household wiring, transfer/changeover switches are commonly used. These switches automatically or manually cut the power from the grid and connect it to backup resources. For systems connected to household wiring, the following points apply:

• The appropriate transfer/changeover arrangement depends on the backup source and household electrical system; automatic and manual options are available.

• Any transfer/changeover switch or fixed connection to household wiring must be installed by an appropriately licensed electrician in line with applicable local requirements.

• The electrician should confirm isolation, earthing, protection, and compatibility before the system is commissioned.

A fixed household backup connection requires professional electrical work and keeps the system tied to the home. To avoid these limitations, portable power stations like those offered by BLUETTI are recommended.

Checklist For Emergency Power Planning

Power outages are sudden. Planning ahead can save you from a lot of trouble. Thus, here is a checklist for emergency power planning.

• Check your power backup capacity to get an estimate of how many devices you can run for how much time.

• If outages are due to extreme weather events, check local news for the duration of the outage and plan accordingly.

• Prioritise medical equipment and food storage, as they are very basic to survival.

• For longer outages, check for recharge options.

The above-mentioned are some basic points that must be considered while planning for a sudden power outage. They will ensure a reliable power supply, safety, security, and peace of mind.

Conclusion

A power outage can be a nuisance, but planning ahead is the key. For this, prioritise critical loads and make a detailed plan to deal with various power outage durations. Whatever emergency power backup you choose, each has its own set of pros and cons. However, BLUETTI portable power stations are reliable, lightweight, and highly efficient.

Their safety features are excellent. Their recharge time is exceptional, and most importantly, they are compatible with almost all of your home appliances and thus could be your trustworthy companion to deal with unexpected power outages.