Guide / Homes and holiday houses
How to choose home backup power.
Start with a list of appliances and the runtime you need. These details help size the inverter and battery, then check the whole system.
Two questions before choosing
What needs to run?
And for how long?
kW measures power. It describes the load a system can supply at a given moment.
kWh measures energy. It describes the energy stored in the battery. Actual runtime depends on the load, usable energy, losses and operating conditions.
Consumption example: a constant 500 W load uses 2 kWh over 4 hours. A battery should not be sized to this figure alone: allow for losses, reserve and system limits. This is a load calculation example, not a runtime promise for a product.
Five steps
Prepare your requirements.
Identify essential appliances
List the equipment that needs power during an outage. Separate continuous loads, appliances that cycle on and off, and devices you can temporarily disconnect.
Check power, including startup
Check each appliance's running power on its label or in its documentation. Confirm starting loads separately for compressors, pumps and other motor-driven equipment. Do not select an inverter solely by adding average power figures.
Set the required runtime
Specify how long each appliance must run. Consumption depends on the operating pattern: a cycling refrigerator and a continuous load with the same power rating use energy differently.
Check the installation location
Record the room's minimum and maximum temperatures, available space, ventilation and mounting conditions. Check the battery's permitted charging, discharging and storage temperatures separately. Do not assume outdoor or winter operation is supported without documentation.
Confirm the complete system
Check voltage, frequency, battery–inverter communication protocol, solar panel specifications and model limitations. A qualified professional should design the installation, protection and source switching.
Enquiry checklist
What to send us.
Copy these points into your message and fill in the details you know.
- City and application: home, holiday house or customer site.
- Appliance list, power ratings and starting loads.
- Appliances running together and the required runtime.
- Mains voltage and existing equipment specifications.
- Whether solar panels are installed, and their specifications.
- Temperature and available installation space.
- Preferred configuration, quantity and timeline.
Next step
Compare the options.
An all-in-one system combines an inverter and battery. A separate battery must be checked for compatibility with your inverter. Choose a portable power station around the appliances and outlets you need.
Explore the equipmentContact Alishine
Let's discuss your requirements.
Send your appliance list, required runtime and installation conditions. These details are a starting point for choosing a configuration.