Whole-Home Battery Backup in Los Angeles
Keep every circuit in your home live during a grid outage — HVAC, kitchen, EV charger, lighting, everything. Whole-home backup requires the right battery capacity, electrical configuration, and LADWP or SCE utility planning. We size, specify, and install Tesla Powerwall and Enphase IQ Battery systems for whole-home backup across LA and Orange County. Tesla Certified Premium Installer.
Trusted by thousands of Los Angeles & Orange County homeowners
Every circuit stays live — here is what that requires.
Whole-home backup is the most comprehensive battery backup configuration. It powers your entire home during a grid outage, not just selected circuits. That distinction has real implications for sizing and cost.
- →All circuits covered. HVAC (the biggest load in most LA homes), refrigerator, range or oven, washing machine, EV charger, lights, outlets — everything stays on. No circuits are turned off or isolated.
- →Higher battery capacity required. Because the full panel is backed up, the battery must handle any load the home might run simultaneously. HVAC compressor startup draws are especially significant. We size to your actual peak and average loads, not a generic formula.
- →Compatible electrical panel. Not every existing panel is immediately compatible with whole-home backup. Some homes need a panel upgrade, additional breaker space, or a transfer switch. We assess this during the estimate and specify required electrical work upfront.
- →Backup duration depends on actual load. We do not guarantee backup duration. Runtime depends on battery capacity, what loads you run during an outage, whether solar continues recharging the battery, and weather conditions. We model estimated scenarios during your estimate so you understand what to expect.
How we size a whole-home battery system.
Right-sizing is the most important decision in a whole-home backup project. Undersizing means the battery cannot handle peak loads; oversizing means unnecessary cost. Our approach:
- →Load analysis. We review your utility bills, panel schedule, and the loads you want to run during an outage — particularly HVAC tonnage, EV charger amperage, and any high-draw appliances. We calculate both average daily usage and critical peak demand.
- →Solar pairing. If solar is part of the system, we factor in daytime recharging to model extended backup performance. A properly configured solar + battery system can sustain whole-home backup through multi-day outages under the right conditions — with important caveats about weather and load management.
- →Number of units. Tesla Powerwall 3 offers 13.5 kWh usable per unit. Enphase IQ Battery 5P units offer 5 kWh each, stackable. We specify the right number of units for your home and backup goals — not an arbitrary number.
Is whole-home backup right for your home?
Strong fit for whole-home backup
- →Wildfire-zone homes with frequent PSPS outages
- →Homes with medical equipment requiring uninterrupted power
- →Homes with high backup budgets and maximum resilience goals
- →Homes where solar can extend backup duration
- →Multi-day outage preparation in high fire-risk areas
Consider essential-load backup instead
- →Most residential installs — covers critical needs at lower cost
- →Homes where only refrigerator, lights, outlets need backup
- →Homes where budget is a priority
- →Homes where EV charging and pool during outages are not critical
LADWP, SCE, and SGIP for whole-home backup.
- →LADWP territory. Most of the City of Los Angeles is served by LADWP, which runs its own net-metering and rebate programs separate from NEM 3.0. LADWP Consumer Rebate Program availability and eligibility vary. We review LADWP programs during your estimate.
- →SCE territory. Much of Orange County and parts of LA County are on SCE. New solar interconnection applications in SCE territory should be reviewed under current Net Billing Tariff rules, export values, battery settings, rate plan, and interconnection requirements. Utility or manufacturer programs should be verified before they are presented as available.
- →SGIP eligibility review. SGIP rebates for battery storage may apply to whole-home backup systems in both territories. Eligibility depends on reservation window, funding, battery size, income tier, and program rules. Rebates are design-dependent. We review SGIP eligibility and help organize documentation during your estimate.
We are not a tax advisor. Consult a qualified professional for tax questions. SGIP planning guide →
Whole-home backup estimate checklist.
- →Panel photos: main panel, subpanels, meter, service disconnect, and available breaker space.
- →Load priorities: central HVAC, mini splits, EV charger, pool equipment, refrigerators, medical devices, internet, and security systems.
- →Solar details: existing system size, inverter type, utility PTO status, and whether solar should recharge the battery during outages.
- →Project documents: utility bill, permit history if available, HOA rules, and any backup-duration priorities.
Compare essential-load backup, battery sizing, backup load panel planning, and battery permits and inspections before finalizing scope.
Get your whole-home backup estimate.
Load analysis, system sizing, panel assessment, SGIP eligibility review. Tesla Powerwall and Enphase IQ Battery. Permitted installations. Tesla Certified Premium Installer. CSLB #1055444.
Solar, roofing & battery together.
Whole-home battery backup questions.
What does whole-home battery backup actually mean?
Whole-home backup means every circuit in your home — HVAC, kitchen appliances, EV charger, pool pump, lighting, outlets — stays live during a grid outage. The battery system powers your entire electrical panel, not just selected circuits. This requires adequate battery capacity for your full household load and a compatible electrical panel configuration.
How many batteries does whole-home backup require?
It depends on your home’s total electrical load. A small to medium home with modest loads may be covered by one Tesla Powerwall 3 (13.5 kWh) for a shorter duration. Larger homes, homes with EV chargers, or homes wanting longer backup capability may need multiple units. We size based on your actual load — not a generic recommendation — during the estimate.
How long will whole-home backup last during an outage?
We do not guarantee backup duration. Runtime depends on battery capacity, your home’s total electrical load, whether HVAC is running, whether solar is recharging the battery during the outage, and weather. We model estimated performance scenarios during your estimate so you understand what to expect based on your specific system and usage.
Can solar extend whole-home backup during a daytime outage?
Yes, with the right system configuration. When solar panels are generating and the inverter is properly configured for backup mode, they can continue recharging the battery during a grid outage — extending backup duration significantly. Configuration requirements vary by inverter type and system design. We specify the right configuration during your estimate.
Does whole-home backup require a backup load panel?
For whole-home backup with a compatible electrical panel, a separate backup load sub-panel may not be required — the battery system can back up the entire main panel. However, some electrical configurations do require a transfer switch or panel upgrades. We assess your existing panel during the estimate and specify any required electrical work upfront.
Is SGIP available for whole-home backup battery systems?
SGIP eligibility may apply to battery storage systems configured for whole-home backup. Eligibility depends on battery size, utility territory, income tier, reservation window, and current program rules and funding. Rebate amounts are design-dependent. We review SGIP eligibility during your estimate.
What electrical work is needed for whole-home backup?
Electrical requirements vary. Most whole-home backup installations require a Backup Gateway or integrated inverter installation, panel assessment, and potentially a panel upgrade if the existing panel lacks adequate breaker space. We specify all required electrical work during the estimate — no surprises after the quote.
Tesla Powerwall or Enphase IQ Battery for whole-home backup?
Both can support whole-home backup configurations. Tesla Powerwall 3 (13.5 kWh per unit, integrated inverter) is well-suited for whole-home backup with its high continuous power output. Enphase IQ Battery 5P units are modular (5 kWh each), allowing you to scale capacity. The right choice depends on your existing solar setup, electrical configuration, and backup load requirements. We review both during your estimate.
Ready to plan whole-home battery backup?
Tesla Certified Premium Installer. CSLB #1055444. We are not a tax advisor — consult a qualified professional for tax questions.
