<\/div> Follow ZDNET: Add us as a favorite source<\/span><\/a><\/span> On Google.<\/em><\/p>\n The sticker shock is real when it comes to purchasing a home battery, especially if you’re thinking about a whole home backup. After dozens of conversations with homeowners, it’s become clear that price is only part of the story. <\/p>\n For many people, purchasing a battery turns from a mere thought into a serious necessity after many frustrating moments. Long power outages, skyrocketing energy bills, or a new solar installation can make home batteries feel like the obvious next step.<\/p>\n Also: Switch to plug-in solar? My advice after testing DIY energy technology at home<\/strong><\/p>\n However, the path from idea to purchase is not clear. There is a lot of hesitation and fear in making the wrong choice. Homeowners are trying to understand how a battery fits into the rest of their home plans, whether it should come before or after other upgrades, and whether the investment really makes sense for their lives. <\/p>\n People who are considering investing in home energy technology often find themselves in a chicken and egg situation, unsure where to start. Jessica, a homeowner from Kentucky, got stuck at exactly that point. <\/p>\n “I’m interested in backup power, but I’m still not clear on the right order of operations. I might need a new roof at some point, and I might want solar power, and maybe an electric vehicle (EV) on the road,” she said. “I’m not sure what should come first or what makes the most sense to do together.”<\/p>\n Braulio Escobar, business development manager at Ecoflow, explained that there is no one correct sequence, but there is a better way to complete the journey. <\/p>\n Also: I’ve tested dozens of power stations \u2014 here’s how I’m preparing for summer blackouts<\/strong><\/p>\n One way to think about it is to start with the end goal in mind. Imagine the perfect setup you want in the next five or 10 years and work backwards.<\/p>\n Research by independent firm Habitintelligence<\/a> shows that 77% of homeowners are in an active technology cycle, meaning they have recently made a large home technology investment or are planning to soon. What you prioritize first depends on what you’re trying to achieve and what your home really needs right now to support the future vision. <\/p>\n “Think about what is the core infrastructure that will be built for the future. That’s probably the most important first step,” Escobar said. \u201cIf you’re considering rooftop solar, it may be wise to get a new roof first.\u201d<\/p>\n Home batteries are usually not purchased immediately. It’s natural to wonder if there’s any point if you can’t stay in your current home forever. Susan, a homeowner in Texas, felt the same hesitation.<\/p>\n “Cost certainly matters,” Susan said, “but the big question for us is whether this house is really our long-term home. If we’re making a big investment in solar power and batteries, I want to be sure that we’ll be here for a long time, so that it really makes sense.” <\/p>\n Escobar put his advice into perspective by comparing it to a heating and air conditioning (HVAC) system. He explained that you don’t take the HVAC system with you when you move a house, so you can treat a grid-tied home battery the same way. But leaving it behind isn’t necessarily a loss. <\/p>\nZDNET Highlights<\/h3>\n
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What comes first?<\/h2>\n
I can move on soon. Do batteries still make sense?<\/h2>\n