I was 11 years old when the Esso Longford natural gas plant disaster gave Victorians a glimpse of what life was like before plumbed heated water and gas cooking. For almost a month, we enjoyed cold showers and BBQ dinners. Reliance on gas meant that most of us were unprepared for what would happen during an extended outage. Electric grid outages now have an even greater impact, with most homes relying on electricity for almost every facet of life. Adding battery storage is a game-changer, with blackouts having little to no impact on day-to-day activities. But, did you know that battery blackout protection will only go so far, according to how your battery and home are configured? Without a whole-home backup, you may be severely restricted on what you can run when the grid goes out.
What is whole-home backup?
Have you ever turned on several appliances only to have part of your home suddenly go dark? When too much electrical load is placed on a circuit, the circuit breaker trips to protect your wiring and switchboard. Most homes have 10 to 20 or more circuits, each supplying power to specific areas or appliances.
For example, if your kitchen and laundry share a circuit, running a washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher together may leave little capacity for other appliances. Switching on a kettle at the same time could overload the circuit and cut power to that section of the house.
When you install a home battery, the system’s design determines whether it can back up the entire home or only selected circuits during a blackout. Some setups power essential loads such as lighting, refrigeration, and internet, while others can supply every circuit.
Running just the basics for a few hours may be manageable, but extended outages lasting a day or more highlight the value of true whole-home backup.
Essential loads versus whole-home backup
Many battery installations in Australia use an “essential loads” configuration. In this setup, only a dedicated backup sub-board is powered during an outage. Electricians typically place critical items on this circuit, such as lighting, fridges, medical equipment, internet routers, and a few power points.
This approach reduces cost and ensures the battery is not overwhelmed by high-demand appliances. However, it can also mean no air conditioning, no electric oven, no induction cooktop, and sometimes no hot water. If your home is fully electrified, this can quickly become inconvenient.
Whole-home backup, by contrast, supplies power to the entire switchboard. You can continue using your home normally, within the limits of the battery and inverter output. You do not need to think about which circuit something is on or run extension leads across the house.
Why inverter capacity matters
Whole-home backup is not just about battery size. The inverter determines how much power can be delivered at any one time. A large battery paired with a small inverter may still struggle to run multiple high-draw appliances simultaneously.
For example, ducted air conditioning, electric vehicle charging, pool pumps, ovens, and kettles can each draw several kilowatts. If too many of these run together, the system will either limit output or shut down to protect itself.
A properly designed whole-home system considers peak demand, not just daily energy use. This is particularly important for households that have electrified cooking, heating, and transport.
GoodWe ESA: Whole-home backup out of the box
GoodWe’s ESA All-in-One system has been designed with whole-home backup as a core feature rather than an optional extra. Available in both single-phase and three-phase versions in Australia, the ESA integrates the inverter, battery modules, energy management system, and backup capability into one unit.
One of its standout features is its ability to provide full backup directly from the main switchboard without requiring a separate essential loads panel. This simplifies installation and ensures that every circuit in the home can remain energised during a blackout.
The three-phase models are particularly suited to larger Australian homes that use three-phase power for ducted air conditioning, workshops, or EV charging. Backup across all phases means these loads can continue operating, subject to system capacity.
The ESA system is also scalable, allowing homeowners to increase storage as their energy needs grow. This flexibility is valuable for households planning future electrification upgrades, such as heat pumps or electric vehicles.
FranklinWH: High-capacity home energy resilience
FranklinWH offers a different approach centred on high output and system resilience. Its home energy solution combines a large lithium iron phosphate battery with a dedicated control system that manages energy flows between solar, battery, grid, and loads.
Designed for whole-home backup, the system can support high-demand appliances and large households during outages. It is particularly attractive for homes with significant electrical loads or those seeking extended off-grid capability during emergencies.
The FranklinWH system also allows multiple battery units to be installed together, creating substantial storage capacity. This can provide multi-day backup depending on usage and solar generation. Additional generators can also be configured into the system.
Another key advantage is intelligent load management. The system monitors consumption in real time and allocates power where it is needed most, helping to prevent overload while maintaining comfort.
Planning for longer outages
Short outages are inconvenient. Long outages can be disruptive or even dangerous, especially during extreme weather. Refrigeration, communications, medical devices, and climate control all become critical over time.
Whole-home backup provides peace of mind because it preserves normal living conditions rather than forcing households into survival mode. When paired with solar, the battery can recharge during daylight hours, extending backup duration indefinitely under favourable conditions.
For bushfire-prone or storm-affected regions of Australia, this level of resilience is becoming increasingly valuable.
Is whole-home backup worth it?
Whole-home backup typically involves a higher upfront investment, but it can transform a battery from a simple energy-saving device into a true resilience solution. For fully electrified homes, families working from home, or anyone who values uninterrupted comfort, the benefits are significant.
Instead of deciding which appliances to sacrifice during an outage, you can continue living as usual. The lights stay on, the fridge keeps running, the air conditioning works, and dinner can still be cooked indoors.
As Australia moves toward an all-electric future, planning for reliable backup power is no longer a luxury. It is fast becoming a practical necessity. If you are considering battery storage, discussing whole-home backup with your installer could make the difference between basic blackout protection and complete energy independence. Request FREE quotes from local and trusted installers with Energy Matters’ free service! Follow the button below and get started today – completely obligation-free.
