Quote:
Originally Posted by edslunch
My wife’s company is working on some innovative technology for residential alternative energy combining solar, batteries, and other pieces in a scalable DIY solution. While solar costs have way down their research finds that the drivers are not cost savings but energy security and environmental concerns (particularly both if people don’t want generators). I was skeptical that people would invest in a system for backup given how infrequently we lose power, but apparently it’s a huge deal in the southern and western US due to storms, brownouts, etc. I guess also non-urban areas in Canada.
She asked if I could post a question here. Don’t worry, this isn’t a sales lead - they are still in the development stage.
Is there anything in your home/vacation property that would be inconvenient (or worse) to have it go without power for several hours or longer; without either knowing it or being able to do anything about it?
Fridge
Freezer
Fish tank
Pet heater
Sump pump
Pipe warmer in winter
Internet
Security lighting
Medical equipment
Being able to charge your phone or laptop (power does not always go out when these are fully charged)
Alarm clock (some still use these)
Access to news in an emergency (not everyone likes using a cell phone for this)
Other
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In Alberta, the biggest headache likely would be the furnace/thermostat getting wonky and somehow not re-engaging when the power comes back. That's a risk of freezing pipes in the winter.
Medical equipment, yes. But don't those usually have back up batteries built into them specifically in case of power loss?
Most alarm clocks and clocks in general have a battery to keep the time in case of loss of power. But clocks on stoves and microwaves etc. are kinda a PITA to reprogram, especially if the method to adjust the clock (ie: a clock button) isn't obvious without having to find the manual.
Lights during a black out are annoying if you stumble around your home, sure. But it's far less an issue now that all phones basically have a flashlight function built in.
Most other things are whatever with a loss of power for a few hours (fridge, pumps etc.). Longer term (and likely beyond the battery capabilities of the set up anyways) it's perhaps frustrating.
The battery capabilities to avoid electronics damage or weird issues restarting during minor things like brown outs would be something I think is important and valuable. But this is perhaps the only one I can think of.
Charging phones and tablets, might suck. But many people have power banks or can plug the phone into a car USB port to charge it.