Keep Your Home Powered - Here's How Much Uninterruptible Power Supply Battery Installation Costs

Average Cost to Install a UPS Battery System

UPS Battery Prices

Individual batteries typically cost between $100 to $400. However, to power your entire home during a power outage, you may need as many as 17 to 40 batteries to supply power for one day without electricity.

UPS Battery Installation Cost

The cost to hire a professional to install a UPS battery system is $250 to $500 on average. In some instances, you can offset these expenses by DIYing your project.

UPS Battery Cost by Type

The type of battery you choose for your UPS system can affect the overall cost of your product. As it stands, there are three primary types of batteries that your UPS system might use, and each comes with its own set of pros and cons:

AGM Lead-Acid Batteries

Also known as absorbed glass mat batteries, this battery of choice costs $100 to $300 per battery to start. AGM batteries contain no liquid and therefore need minimal maintenance to keep your home powered. On the flip side, these batteries can lose efficacy if under- or over-charged and may become less reliable as a result.

Flooded Lead-Acid Batteries

Flooded or wet cell batteries are another popular form of lead-acid batteries. This type of UPS battery is comparable to AGM batteries in terms of cost. Expect to pay around $200 to $300 per battery. Since flooded batteries do contain liquid, you will need to store this battery option in a dry, temperature-controlled room as a safety precaution.

Gel Lead-Acid Batteries

Much like AGM batteries, gel-based batteries are spill-proof; however, instead of glass mat material, these batteries use gel. The cost for gel batteries is between $200 to $400 per battery on average.

Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are lightweight, efficient and long-lasting compared to the other options. At the same time, these perks do come at a price. Expect to pay around $300 to $400 per battery for Li-ion UPS batteries. On the plus side, since Li-ion batteries don’t generate as much heat as the other options, you will experience fewer expenses going towards cooling costs overall.

UPS Battery Cost by Style

In addition to the type of battery you choose for your system, there are three UPS battery styles: standby, line-interactive, and double-conversion online UPS battery systems.

The style you choose most often boils down to your budget, with standby UPS batteries coming in at the most affordable, line-interactive systems falling somewhere in the middle, and double-conversion online systems coming in at the costliest style available.

Here’s how they compare:

Standby UPS Battery Systems

A standby UPS system is often used for backup on personal computers. These batteries are the most affordable, falling anywhere between $100 to $1,900 per battery. When the power goes out, your computer will continue to briefly run on standby, meaning it’s offline. This allows you to manually shut down your device before losing valuable information. The duration of the battery depends on the storage capacity, with larger batteries able to generate a longer backup time.

Line-Interactive UPS Battery Systems

Similar to standby systems, line-interactive batteries operate as a backup during power outages. These systems cost between $200 to $5,000 and are more efficient than standby systems. At the same time, this style tends to drain more battery power and offer less protection than a double-conversion online battery system.

Double-Conversion Online UPS Battery Systems

For total protection against power outages, including online accessibility, the best option is a double-conversion online system. These systems cost anywhere from $800 to $35,000 and are equipped to keep you online, which may be essential for those working from home or who are dependent on medical equipment. There is zero interruption between the time the power goes out and the battery kicking in, meaning your equipment and appliances are better protected.

UPS Battery Installation Cost by kW

The price of your UPS battery system depends on two factors: the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) your home uses per day and the number of batteries needed to generate that kind of power.

The U.S. Energy Information Association states that the average household uses about 28kWh a day or 877kWh a month. During times of emergencies, you’ll want to prepare for a battery system that can stay on throughout an electrical outage. This could be a backup system for a few hours or a backup system for a few days.

For a UPS battery system that keeps your house powered for a single day, you will need batteries that can maintain at least 28kWh for the entire day. Depending on how many watts your battery has, you will need multiple batteries to achieve this.

Here are approximate costs for UPS batteries per kW:

• 200W: $100

• 500W: $300

• 1kW: $1,000

• 2kW: $2,000

• 3kW: $3,000

• 4kW: $4,000

*Note that some batteries show amp-hours (AH) and volts (V) rather than kWh. In this case, to determine the kW, you will need to multiply the amp-hours by the voltage to calculate its watt-hours.

Because of the different units of measurement and unique energy usage in your home, you may wish to hire a home energy auditor before investing in a UPS battery system. A home energy audit typically costs $200 to $660.

UPS Battery Cost Factors

Many variables can ultimately affect the cost of your project. As you plan your UPS battery installation, keep in mind the following cost factors:

• Energy Use: Households that use more energy will need more batteries. To power an entire home that uses 30kWh of energy a day, your battery system must possess at least 30kW of power. Not all batteries perform at their peak, so it’s advisable to accommodate for this by purchasing enough battery storage to go slightly over the total kilowatts needed.

• Type of Battery: The battery type will also affect your total cost. For example, lead-acid batteries are $100–$200 cheaper than lithium-ion batteries.

• Installation: Having a pro install your new system can cost between $250–$500 or more, depending on the level of wiring required.

Cost to Install a UPS Battery Yourself

It’s more helpful to look at how much it will save you to install a UPS battery on your own. Going the DIY route may save you $250 to $500 in installation fees, as you won’t need to hire a professional to do the job.

DIY vs. Hire a UPS Battery Installation Pro

If you know exactly how much energy your home uses, the amount of power your UPS batteries will need to maintain it, and how to install a UPS battery, it may be worth your while to DIY the installation process.

On the other hand, if you’re unfamiliar with the UPS battery installation process, DIYing it might not be in your best interest. You could end up with incompatible parts, insufficient battery storage, or incorrect installation when your power does go out. It can also be more confusing if your UPS system needs multiple wiring pathways to connect to your appliances.

FAQs

How are UPS batteries different from a generator?

UPS batteries are different from generators in that they provide a near-instantaneous supply of power to your home during times of emergency through the use of inverters rather than gasoline. Some homeowners opt for whole-house generators instead of UPS batteries.

When is an uninterruptible power supply needed in a home?

Though many homes don’t need UPS batteries, anyone who depends on at-home medical equipment or remote computer work may depend on reliable systems when the power is off.

Can I use solar batteries with a UPS battery system?

In short, yes. You can purchase a solar UPS battery system or build a custom system using solar power if you want to save on energy and have a backup plan for power outages. Always check for compatibility before you choose a battery system.

How else can I keep my electrical system safe during electrical surges and power outages?

Consider upgrading your home's electrical system or replacing it entirely if it's particularly old. To get an idea of where to start, book an electrical inspection which costs between $100 and $400. If the inspection reveals that you do need to rewire your home, costs fall between $6 and $10 per square foot for the wiring, and replacing or adding a new electrical panel typically costs $1,200 but can cost as much as $4,000 for a 400-Amp service.