The Tesla Powerwall can provide days of power during an outage or blackout, but there are a few things to keep in mind to extend its battery life.
A Tesla Powerwall promises power backup during outages, but what best practices can users follow to make the most of an extended blackout? Neighborhoods can experience electricity disruption for various reasons, with demand surges and poor weather conditions among the main culprits. Households can leverage alternative power solutions to handle their energy needs for a short period, ranging between hours and days. As the push for clean energy gains momentum, people are exploring other means to keep the lights on beyond a diesel generator.
Interestingly, some electric vehicles have demonstrated their ability to serve as standby generators thanks to their large battery packs. Using bidirectional charging technology, the home that recharges an EV can now be powered by the same electric model. In September 2022, a doctor used a Rivian R1T's battery to power the operating room, enabling him to perform a vasectomy during an outage. The Ford F-150 Lightning, on the other hand, can back up a home’s electrical system for up to 10 days, depending on the load.
The Tesla Powerwall can be used for longer power outages, but the usage will determine how long it lasts. To help customers effectively maximize the battery, Tesla provides some handy tips. When the power grid is inactive for more than five minutes, the Tesla mobile app will send the user a notification directing them to use the Powerwall’s energy. Users should check that their phones’ settings allow alerts from the app. Users are also advised to complete energy-intensive tasks before potential outages, like EV charging and laundry. The Powerwall’s 'Storm Watch' feature helps prepare the system for a potential outage by increasing its backup reserve percentage. If the Powerwall isn't in Storm Watch mode, users can manually expand the battery using the app.
How To Extend The Powerwall's Battery Life
A Tesla Powerwall outside a home
When the Powerwall is active, households can use appliances and fixtures like coffee makers, televisions, and light bulbs as usual. However, the dishwasher, air-conditioner, and heater shouldn't be used often. Although the Powerwall is built to provide up to 5 kW of current, surpassing the system’s maximum rating may overload it and then cause it to stop functioning. If this happens, users should switch off all heavy-duty appliances and the Powerwall will attempt to restart in a minute. Additionally, weather conditions like snow may prevent the solar panels from generating enough power. Users can tackle this situation by frequently checking and cleaning the panels during poor weather.
Once the Powerwall’s battery drops below 10 percent, it goes into standby mode and stops the supply of electricity to the house. The Tesla mobile app will send a push notification once the system enters standby mode, though there has to be an active internet connection. While in standby mode, the Powerwall will try to replenish its battery using the solar panels between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. local time. Once there's sufficient solar power to charge the Powerwall even as it functions, the automatic charging process will resume. If the battery drops to 2.5 percent, the Powerwall will deactivate and attempt to recharge the following hour.
The Tesla Powerwall is a compelling product capable of serving a household's energy needs during outages. Once the power grid goes out, the system comes online in a fraction of a second, which is faster than regular standby generators. The integration with a mobile app makes it even more convenient to control. Additionally, incentives like qualifying for a federal tax credit are even more reasons to invest in a Tesla Powerwall.
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