5 ways a home backup battery can be vital in a power outage

A white house exterior with a large paved patio, with a seating area under a parasol, wicker sofa with cushions and firepit. There are large plants in grey square pots, and central steps in the foreground. Overhead are blue, cloudy skies.

(Image credit: Future)

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1. Keep basement pumps running
2. Protecting food and medication
3. To ensure your home stays heated
3. Prevent burst pipes
5. Communication
What to shop
Meet the expert
What are the advantages of home backup batteries?

published 13 April 2025

Due to an aging electrical grid, increased episodes of severe weather and increased utility costs, the demand for home battery backup systems is expected to increase annually by 20%*. But, how can they help your home during a power outage?

The answer is far more than you may think – and not just for keeping your lights or your heating on. In fact, they help with a range of vital needs including keeping critical appliances and systems running, automatically coming on as soon as the power goes out, and operating instantaneously so there's no disruption to daily life.

I'm an energy expert and here I share exactly why this future-proofing way to prepare your home for a power cut is worth the splurge.

5 ways backup batteries for your house can help with vital needs in a power outage

1. To protect basements from flooding damage

A bright and airy basement with wooden flooring, a wooden and glass desk with a wooden chair with a fluffy throw, and a piano in the background adjoining room with a black patterned rug and wooden staircase upstairs. In the background are glass doors out to a garden staircase, with a leafy green plant to the right. — Sump pumps are able to continue running, effectively protecting basements from flooding.

During a power outage, having a backup battery for sump pumps allows them to continue to operate, protecting basements from flooding damage.

As an energy expert with Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions , I know that this is far more effective than relying on emergency temporary basement flooding protection and should successfully avoid having to clean a basement after flooding, too.

2. For keeping ingredients, medication and food protected

pale blue and off white kitchen with custom cabinetry, large kitchen island with wooden countertop and sink, wooden floorboards, ladder, artwork, view of kitchen table at far end, rug, white oven — A backup battery keeps your fridge and appliances running so that food doesn't go off, and medications that need to stay chilled remain protected.

In a power outage, particularly one that lasts a substantial amount of time, it's crucial to protect your all-important food supplies and medication, to keep yourself and your family fit and healthy. I'm an energy expert with Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions and know the benefits and realities of a backup battery.

Installing a backup battery is a brilliant way to get your home emergency ready in advance of an incident, as refrigerators and freezers will keep running, ensuring food and medications are protected, and kitchen appliances will continue to work, so food can be prepared.

3. To ensure your home stays heated

A neutral living room with pale pink walls and a marble mantelpiece. On top of the mantelpiece is a brown glass vase and framed picture. To the right is a peach velvet chair and matching footrest with a cylindrical marble coffee table with a glass on top. Behind is a black radiator underneath a large, bright window, with a pink and mauve patterned curtain open to the left-hand side. — During a power outage, it's essential that temperature levels in your home don't become dangerously high, or dangerously low.

Another imperative consideration for your well-being and comfort during a power outage is ensuring that your home stays warm enough. While it will likely be difficult to maintain the ideal room temperature, temperatures mustn't drop too low, to dangerous levels. The same, though less pressing, can be said for a power outage in hot weather, when it can be difficult to keep a home cool in a heatwave.

Therefore, a backup battery can help by keeping your AC and heating up and running at all times, which will keep temperatures comfortable and safe.

4. To protect your home from water damage

A neutral bathroom with large white tub and square window with vase and flowers — Prevent burst pipes, flooding and broken heating.

The last thing anyone will want to deal with during a power outage is having to figure out what to do when a pipe bursts, the consequences of expensive repairs or having to dry waterlogged items afterward.

For those who live in cold climates, backup batteries ensure the heat stays on so pipes won’t freeze and burst. Obviously, a burst pipe that’s spraying water into a home can cause tremendous damage to floors, walls, furniture, appliances, personal items and family mementos, so the significant reduction in this risk makes it well worth taking the plunge on this way to protect your home from flooding, which will also ensure you're able to heat your home in a power outage, too.

5. For communication

home office with navy walls — Avoid isolation with a backup battery, to allow the use of the internet and radio during a power outage.

A power outage can often feel isolating and scary, and, if prolonged, dangerous.

Therefore, preparing your house for extreme weather with a backup battery is recommended to keep communications open, allowing the essential use of the internet, computers, TVs and radios.

This will also mean that if you need emergency help or need support from family and friends, you'll be better placed to reach them with your home's communications up and running.

Having home internet and wi-fi means your mobile phone can still connect for VOIP calls. That's a Voice Over Internet Protocol call, which uses your internet service, rather than your cell's service provider to make or receive calls.

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Uninterruptible power

APC UPS Battery Backup and Surge Protector

This affordable backup battery provides an uninterruptible power supply with seven outlets, one USB charger port, and a 5' power cord.

Supports high-speed charging

INIU Portable Charger

Keeping a portable charger fully charged and on hand in your home at all times will mean you can charge your phone, laptop, or anything else in a pinch. This one features a slim design and supports high-speed charging.

Dual flashlights

Solar Charger for Cell Phone

In sunny weather, solar chargers can be relied upon to keep your phone charged and running. This one also comes equipped with two LED flashlights, which can be essential during a power outage.

Meet the expert

Clement Feng

Briggs & Stratton Energy Solutions focuses on delivering energy resilience and energy efficiency to both homeowners and businesses.

FAQs

What are the advantages of home backup batteries?

Batteries provide reliable, silent, emission-free backup energy. In addition to providing backup power during a utility outage, battery systems can be used during peak utility rate times or with demand response programs to lower utility bills.

For those who have solar panels, batteries store energy that can be used on cloudy days or at night when the panels aren’t generating electricity.

Learning how to hook a generator up to your house can also protect your home from outages, even in extreme conditions.

*According to Lithium-ion Battery Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Lithium Cobalt Oxide, Lithium Iron Phosphate, Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum Oxide), By Application (Automotive, Consumer Electronics), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024-2030, published by Grand View Research.