An inverter with a battery keeps the lights, Wi-Fi, TV and fridge going during power cuts. Getting the size and installation right matters more than the brand.
Decide what you want to keep running
Make a list of what must work in an outage. A typical "essentials" circuit covers lights, plug points for Wi-Fi and TV, the fridge and the gate motor. Adding a geyser, stove, kettle, oven or pool pump needs a much bigger and more expensive system. Most homes put those on a separate circuit that switches off during an outage.
Inverter size vs battery size
- Inverter size (kVA or kW) sets how much can run at the same time. Small homes often start at 3–5 kW, and larger homes use 5–8 kW.
- Battery size (kWh) sets how long it can run. A 5 kWh lithium battery runs a typical essentials load (around 500 W) for several hours.
- Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries cost more up front, but they last much longer and can be drained deeper than lead-acid batteries.
Do you need solar panels?
Panels aren't needed just for backup, because the battery recharges from the grid. Adding panels lets you run off the sun during the day and cuts your electricity bill. It also means the battery is full when a long outage starts. Many people start with an inverter and battery and add panels later. If you plan to, ask for an inverter that can take panels.
The paperwork matters
- The installation must be done by a registered electrician and come with an electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC). Insurers can reject a claim if it doesn't have one. See electrical CoC in Benoni.
- If you add solar panels that connect to the grid, check the City of Ekurhuleni's current requirements for registering small-scale generation.
- Ask for the inverter and battery warranties in writing, and check who honours them if the installer closes down.
Getting quotes
Get at least three quotes for the same specification: inverter size, battery kWh, which circuits are backed up, and whether panels are included. Quotes that look cheap often leave out the changeover switch, the DB board work or the CoC. Compare inverter and solar installers in Benoni, or use the quote form to reach up to three at once.