How much electricity your household uses
Homes with higher electricity use may have more opportunities to reduce the amount of power they buy from the grid.
Home battery installations
Store energy for when you need it.
What is home battery storage?
Home battery storage lets you store electricity and use it later. Many households use a battery alongside solar panels, so any electricity your panels generate but you do not use straight away can be saved for the evening, overnight or cloudy days.
You can also use some batteries with a smart time-of-use tariff. This means you could charge your battery from the grid when electricity is cheaper, then use that stored energy when rates are higher.
A home battery can help you:
Use more of your own solar power
Reduce how much electricity you buy from the grid
Make better use of off-peak energy rates
Keep more control over how and when your home uses energy
How does a home battery work?
A home battery stores electricity until your home needs it.
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Your home generates or imports electricity
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Your home uses the electricity it needs first
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Any spare electricity charges your battery
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When your home needs more electricity, your battery can help power it
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If your battery is full, you may be able to export spare electricity to the grid
How much does home battery storage cost?
The cost of home battery storage depends on the size of battery, the model you choose, whether you already have solar panels, and how complex the installation is.
As a guide, battery systems can cost several thousand pounds. Larger batteries usually cost more, but may be better suited to homes with higher electricity use, solar panels, a heat pump or an electric vehicle.
You may be able to save money by installing a battery at the same time as solar panels, because the installer can design and fit the whole system together.
How much could I save with a home battery?
How much you could save depends on:
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When you use most of your energy
A battery may be more useful if you use lots of electricity in the evening, after your solar panels have stopped generating.
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Whether you have solar panels
Solar panels can charge your battery with electricity that would otherwise be exported to the grid.
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How much spare solar electricity you generate
The more unused solar electricity you produce during the day, the more energy you may be able to store for later.
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Your import and export tariff rates
Your savings will depend partly on what you pay for grid electricity and what you could earn by exporting spare power.
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Whether you can charge the battery using cheaper off-peak electricity
A suitable time-of-use tariff may let you charge your battery off-peak and use the electricity when rates are higher.
Is my home suitable for battery storage?
It may be less suitable if your electricity use is very low, you do not generate much spare solar power, or the upfront cost would outweigh the savings you are likely to make.
An installer can look at your energy use and recommend the right battery size for your home.
Home battery storage could be a good fit if:
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You already have solar panels
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You are planning to install solar panels
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You use more electricity in the evening than during the day
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You have, or are considering, a smart time-of-use tariff
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You have a smart meter or are thinking about getting one
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You have higher electricity demand, such as an EV charger or heat pump
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You have a suitable space for a battery, such as a garage, utility room or outside wall
Solar panels and battery storage
Solar panels and batteries work well together. Solar panels generate electricity during daylight hours, while a battery lets you store the electricity you do not use straight away.
This can help you rely less on grid electricity, especially in the evening when many households use more power.
If you are thinking about solar panels, it is worth asking for quotes that include battery storage as well as solar-only options. That way, you can compare the upfront cost, potential savings and payback time.
Battery storage and smart tariffs
A smart tariff can make a battery more useful. Some tariffs offer cheaper electricity at certain times of day, usually overnight or during off-peak periods.
With the right setup, you could charge your battery when electricity is cheaper and use that stored power when rates are higher.
This can be especially useful for homes with:
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Solar panels
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Heat pumps
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Electric vehicles
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Higher evening electricity use
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Flexible energy habits
Solar only vs solar and battery vs battery and smart tariff
There are a few ways to use lower-carbon electricity at home. The right option depends on whether you already have solar panels, when you use most of your energy and whether you can take advantage of cheaper off-peak rates through a suitable energy tariff.
Option | How it works | Best for | Things to consider |
|---|---|---|---|
Solar panels only | Your panels generate electricity during the day. Your home uses what it can, and any spare electricity may be exported to the grid. | Homes that use a lot of electricity during daylight hours. | You may still need to buy electricity from the grid in the evening or overnight. Learn more about solar panels |
Solar panels and battery storage | Your panels generate electricity during the day, and your battery stores any spare power so you can use it later. | Homes that generate spare solar electricity and use more energy in the evening. | Higher upfront cost than solar panels alone, but you could use more of the electricity you generate. |
Battery storage and smart tariff | Your battery charges from the grid when electricity is cheaper, then powers your home when rates are higher. | Homes on a suitable time-of-use tariff, especially if energy use is higher at peak times. | You may need a smart meter to access some smart tariffs. Savings depend on the difference between peak and off-peak rates, as well as how much electricity you can shift. |
Solar panels, battery storage and smart tariff | Your home can use solar power, store spare electricity, and charge the battery from the grid when rates are lower. | Homes looking for a more flexible setup, especially those with an EV, heat pump or higher electricity use. | This can offer more control, but the system may cost more and needs to be set up around your usage habits. You may also want to compare options such as tracker energy tariffs or heat pump tariffs, depending on your home. |
A battery can make solar panels more useful if you are not at home during the day, because you can store more of the electricity your panels generate and use it later.
A smart tariff can also make battery storage more flexible, as it may let you charge your battery when electricity is cheaper and use that stored power during peak-rate periods.
Can I sell stored electricity back to the grid?
If your battery is full and your solar panels are still generating electricity, you may be able to export spare electricity to the grid through a Smart Export Guarantee tariff.
Export rates vary by supplier, so it is worth comparing your options. In some cases, using your stored electricity at home may be worth more than exporting it, especially if your import rate is higher than your export rate.
What size battery do I need?
The right battery size depends on your home and how you use energy.
A smaller household may only need a smaller battery, while a larger household or a home with a heat pump, EV charger or high evening usage may benefit from more storage.
Your installer should consider:
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Your annual electricity use
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Your daily usage pattern
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Your solar panel system size
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How much spare solar electricity you generate
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Whether you want to charge from the grid
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Your budget and available installation space
What affects the cost of home battery storage?
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Battery size
Larger batteries can store more electricity, but usually cost more.
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Existing solar panels
Adding a battery to an existing solar panel system may involve extra electrical work.
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New solar installation
Installing solar panels and a battery together can be more efficient, as the system can be designed as one setup.
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Installation location
The battery needs to be installed in a safe and suitable place, which may affect the complexity of the job.
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Inverter and system setup
Some homes may need extra equipment or an upgraded inverter, depending on the battery and existing solar system.
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Your energy tariff
The tariff you are on can affect how much value you get from a battery. If you can charge your battery when electricity is cheaper, or avoid using grid electricity when prices are higher, you may be able to improve your savings.
It is worth comparing standard tariffs, smart tariffs and specialist options to see what suits your home.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need solar panels to get a home battery?
No, not always. Some batteries can charge from the grid, which may work well with a smart time-of-use tariff. However, many households get the most value from a battery when it is paired with solar panels.
Do I need a smart meter for home battery storage?
You do not always need a smart meter to install a home battery. However, you may need one to access certain smart tariffs, export tariffs or time-of-use rates. A smart meter can also make it easier to understand when your home uses the most electricity.
Learn more about smart meters.
Can a home battery power my whole house?
It depends on the size of the battery and how much electricity you are using. A typical home battery is designed to reduce how much electricity you buy from the grid, not necessarily to power every appliance for long periods.
How long does a home battery last?
Battery lifespan varies by model and usage, but many home batteries last around 10 to 12 years. Always check the warranty before you buy.
Where can a home battery be installed?
A battery may be installed in a garage, utility room, on an external wall or another suitable location. Your installer will advise what is safe and practical for your property.
Can I add a battery to my existing solar panels?
Yes, in many cases. An installer can check whether your current solar panel system is compatible and whether you need any extra equipment.
Is battery storage worth it?
It depends on your upfront cost, electricity use, solar generation and tariff. Battery storage is often most appealing for households that generate spare solar electricity, use a lot of power in the evening, or can take advantage of cheaper off-peak rates.
Can I use battery storage with plug-in solar panels?
Some smaller solar setups may be able to work with battery storage, depending on the product and how it is installed. If you are considering a smaller setup, read more about plug-in solar panels and check whether the system is compatible with battery storage before you buy.
Can battery storage work with a heat pump?
Yes. A home battery may help households with a heat pump make better use of solar energy or cheaper off-peak electricity. If you have a heat pump, it is also worth looking at heat pump tariffs to see whether a specialist tariff could suit your home.
Can I use a home battery with a tracker energy tariff?
It may be possible, depending on your battery setup and the tariff. Tracker tariffs can move with wholesale energy prices, so the amount you pay may change more often than on a fixed tariff. Before combining a battery with a tracker tariff, check how the tariff works and whether it suits your appetite for price changes.
Read more about tracker energy tariffs.
Looking for other energy options?
Reviewed on 17 Aug 2026
YouGov Survey 1st July 2024 to 30th June 2025. Net Recommend score derived from “Which of the following online service websites would you recommend to a friend or colleague, or tell them to avoid?” Base: Current Customers of (MoneySuperMarket n=18,382, Compare the Market n=16,802, Go.Compare n=10,162, Confused.com n=8,229, Uswitch n=528).
