The temperature hit 44℃ in Melbourne on Tuesday, and many of us were not prepared. Aircons were on blast, an oil seal in my car engine blew, and many streets were plunged into darkness thanks to a blackout. Thankfully, my home was spared from a power outage – but my sister’s home was without power for almost 24 hours.
Like most Australian homes, my sister’s did not have home battery blackout protection. I came to the rescue (which is what older sisters do) and delivered our portable battery, some power banks, and torches. This kept the fridge running and a fan blowing, but my sister and her family sweltered through the night in relative darkness. It didn’t and doesn’t have to be this way.
The dangers of having no power when the grid goes down
Power outages can range from minor to major inconveniences. As time goes on, and the power stays off, the situation worsens. Common inconveniences are:
- No power: This is obvious, but you quickly realise that EVERYTHING runs on power!
- No home internet: Your modem requires power to work. If the place you live has minimal or no mobile network coverage, this can mean limited communication. options. This can be especially dangerous during emergencies and bushfire-prone areas.
- Loss of refrigerated and/or frozen food: Your food will be safe to consume up to 4 hours without power to the fridge and up to 48 hours for frozen food (without opening the door). You can usually claim the cost of lost food on your insurance, but this process can be laborious, plus, you’re without food!
- Inability to cook: Homes with induction cooktops will find that cooking is off the menu.
- Loss of hot showers: Homes with electric hot water systems (including heat pumps) will lose hot water in 12-24 hours (depending on tank size and usage).
- No air conditioning: Power outages often occur on the hottest days of the year, which can bring real danger to the elderly, young children, and the infirm with no air conditioning.
- Security features diminished: Homes with security cameras, fences, or other deterrent measures will lose functionality.
While reverting to old-school ways of doing things may be no more than a slight inconvenience for a few hours, extended power outages can pose real dangers to life.
When solar isn’t enough
Home solar is brilliant for cutting power bills, but it switches off during blackouts if you do not have a battery. This is a safety requirement that protects grid workers during outages.
For solar-only homes like mine, this means instant darkness when the grid goes down. A home with battery storage, however, can isolate from the grid and continue supplying power. This is known as blackout protection or backup mode.
What blackout protection actually does
Blackout protection allows your battery to power selected circuits, or sometimes your entire home, during a grid outage. Instead of losing everything, you keep essential services running.
Depending on system size and setup, this may include:
- Lights and power points
- Internet and mobile boosters
- Refrigeration
- Medical equipment
- Heating or cooling
- Electric hot water systems
Rather than scrambling for torches and ice, life continues with minimal disruption. You are not living like royalty, but you are comfortable and safe.
How long can a battery power your home?
This depends on three main factors.
- Battery size matters: A small battery may cover essentials overnight. Larger systems can power a home for days.
- Energy use habits play a role: Running air conditioning constantly will drain storage faster than using fans and lights.
- Solar generation helps during daylight hours: With sunshine, your battery can recharge daily and extend backup indefinitely.
In summer, solar-powered homes with batteries often fare best during outages, especially when the sun is shining.
Portable batteries versus home batteries
Portable batteries are handy and have their place. They are great for camping, short outages, and charging devices. My portable battery ensured that my sister and her family could stay cool and save most of their food for a few hours.
However, they are not a replacement for home battery storage.
Portable systems cannot power hardwired appliances like air conditioners, hot water systems, or whole homes. They also require manual setup during stressful moments.
Home batteries work automatically. When the grid fails, they switch over in seconds, often without you noticing.
Is blackout protection worth it?
For some households, it is essential. This includes homes with medical needs, young families, or people working from home.
For others, it is about peace of mind. Knowing your home remains functional during extreme heat, storms, or bushfire events is reassuring.
Blackouts are becoming more common due to ageing infrastructure, higher electricity demand, and extreme weather. They are no longer rare events.
Planning for resilience, not just savings
Most Australians install solar and batteries to save money. That is understandable. However, resilience is becoming just as important. A battery is not just about cheaper power bills. It is about control, safety, and comfort when the grid cannot cope.
After watching my sister’s family sweat through the night, it was clear. Blackout protection is not a luxury. It is practical insurance for modern Australian living. I’ll be adding battery storage to my home very soon.
If you are considering solar or already have it, a battery with blackout protection is worth serious thought. When the power goes out, you will be glad you planned ahead. Energy Matters is here to help get you started. Connect with local installers who will provide you with tailored and no-obligation quotes. The best part? This part of the process is completely free! Click the button below and begin your energy independence journey today.
