Keep the essentials running during a blackout: selected circuits such as the fridge, lights, internet and water pumps are wired to a backup sub-board supplied by your battery.
From $990 (Added to a battery installation), including GST. Indicative starting price: the final fixed price is confirmed in writing after a site assessment.
Most people do not need their whole home running during a blackout. They need the fridge and freezer cold, a few lights on, the internet and phone chargers working and, on rural properties, water and pressure pumps running. Essential-load backup does exactly that. We move your chosen circuits to a dedicated backup sub-board supplied by the battery system, so they switch over automatically when the grid fails.
An essential-load backup circuit starts from $990, added to a battery installation. This is an indicative starting price; the final fixed price is confirmed in writing after we assess your switchboard and chosen circuits.
Essential backup works well because it matches the battery system's power rating to a focused set of loads, so it is far less likely to overload and the battery lasts longer through an extended outage. The practical challenge is that household circuits often mix loads: the fridge may share a circuit with the kitchen power points and the kettle. We trace the circuits, explain clearly what will and will not be backed up, and label the new board so everyone at home understands it. If a key appliance needs its own circuit to be backed up properly, we tell you before work starts, not on the day.
Homes, farms and small businesses with a battery that need key appliances to keep working during outages.
Choosing circuits: backup is circuit-based, not appliance-based. If an essential appliance shares a circuit with heavy loads, we may recommend a dedicated circuit, which can add cost.
Pumps: water and bore pumps can draw a high starting current, so we check the motor against the inverter's surge rating before adding it.
Solar during outages: with a suitable hybrid system, daytime solar can recharge the battery during an extended blackout.
Price drivers: the number of circuits, switchboard condition and space, and the distance between the battery inverter and the switchboard.
1. Tell us which appliances you want running during a blackout when you request your battery quote.
2. We trace your circuits and check the loads against the inverter's backup rating.
3. You receive a fixed-price backup design listing every circuit to be backed up.
4. Our licensed electricians install the sub-board and rewire circuits during the battery installation.
5. We simulate an outage, confirm the changeover and label the backup board.
The price shown is an indicative starting price; the final fixed price is confirmed in writing after a site assessment and quote.
The battery system must include a backup-capable inverter.
Loads connected to backup must stay within the inverter's continuous and surge ratings.
New dedicated circuits or switchboard upgrades needed to separate essential loads are quoted separately.
Backup duration depends on battery charge, connected loads and solar output, and will vary.
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Prices include GST.
