How Long Will My Battery Last During an Outage?

A common and important question we get from homeowners in Columbus:
“How long will my solar battery last if the power goes out?”

The honest answer?
It depends entirely on what you’re powering and how your system is set up.
But we can give you real numbers and realistic expectations based on experience.

Realistic Runtime: 12 to 48 Hours

For a typical home battery system in Central Ohio — think Sol-Ark inverter with one or two lithium batteries — you can expect:

• 12–24 hours of runtime if you're powering:

  • Refrigerator & freezer

  • LED lights

  • Wi-Fi and router

  • Phone chargers

  • Furnace blower (if gas heat)

• Up to 48 hours or more if you're conservative and the load is minimal.

Add solar panels into the mix, and your batteries recharge daily, giving you potentially indefinite coverage during multi-day outages — as long as the sun cooperates.

What Extends or Reduces Battery Life?

Several factors affect how long your battery backup will last:

⚡ Size of the battery system

• One battery ≈ 10–13 kWh of energy storage.

• Two or three batteries can stretch you much farther.

🔌 What you're powering

• Essentials like lights and internet draw little power.

• Electric ovens, air conditioning, and sump pumps? Big draw.

☀️ Whether you have solar panels

• No solar? You’re draining the battery without recharging.

• With solar? You recharge during the day and run essentials all night.

🧠 Smart system design

At BC Solar, we help you separate essential loads from non-essentials. This means your backup power is used wisely, and you’re never surprised during an outage.

Real Example from a Columbus Homeowner

A recent customer added a third battery to their system after experiencing grid instability. Their updated system now supports:

• Full fridge and freezer

• Key outlets in the kitchen and bedroom

• Internet and Wi-Fi

• Furnace blower for winter

• Lighting in key rooms

With solar recharging during the day, their system keeps them running through extended blackouts.

FAQs

How much battery storage do I need for my home?
It depends on what you want to run during an outage. One battery might cover just the basics; two or more can cover more circuits or higher-load items.

Do solar panels recharge batteries during an outage?
Yes — but only if your system is set up for it. Systems like Sol-Ark are designed to keep your batteries charged even when the grid is down.

Can I power my whole house with batteries?
Technically yes, but it's often more cost-effective and efficient to power just your essential loads. We help you make a smart, customized plan.

Is battery backup worth it in Ohio?
If you value peace of mind, yes. With storms and grid issues on the rise, more homeowners are investing in reliable energy storage.

Get Peace of Mind — Not Just Panels

At BC Solar, we design every system with real-life scenarios in mind. No guessing. No over-promising. Just honest, thoughtful planning so your lights stay on and your fridge stays cold — no matter what.

Let’s talk about what’s essential to you. Call us at (614) 442-9700 or visit bc.solar.