Reliability vs. Resiliency: Strategies for Backup Power Systems

When it comes to backup power, choosing between reliability and resiliency is like deciding between a luxury car and an all-terrain vehicle. Both get the job done, but they’re built for different purposes—and your choice will shape how your system looks, works, and costs. Let’s dive into the strategies for each.

Achieving High Reliability: The “Always On” Approach

If reliability is your goal, you’re aiming for uninterrupted power—no flickers, no downtime, no compromises. This often means whole-home backup systems designed to keep everything running, from your fridge to your air conditioning to that espresso machine you can’t live without. But here’s the catch: high reliability doesn’t come cheap.

How to Get There:

• Whole-Home Backup Systems: These systems are the gold standard of reliability. They use large batteries, powerful inverters, and solar panels to keep every circuit in your home powered during an outage. It’s seamless and stress-free—but it’s also a big investment.
• Fossil Fuel Generators: Adding a generator can provide extended runtime during long outages. Generators are reliable workhorses, but they need regular maintenance and fuel (and they’re not exactly winning any environmental awards).
• Bigger Is Better: High reliability often means oversizing your system to handle peak loads without breaking a sweat. This ensures you’re covered no matter what—but that outsized investment is idle much of the time.

Achieving High Resiliency: The “Bounce Back” Plan

Resiliency is about getting back on your feet quickly after an outage—not necessarily powering everything, but making sure the essentials are covered. Think of it as a leaner, more focused approach that keeps the lights on where you need them most.

How to Get There:

• Partial-Home Backup Systems: Instead of powering your whole house, these systems target essential circuits—like your refrigerator, well pump, Wi-Fi router, and a few lights. They’re smaller, simpler, and much more affordable than whole-home setups.
• Battery + Generator Combos: Pairing a small battery with a generator gives you the best of both worlds: instant power when the grid goes down (thanks to the battery) and extended runtime for longer outages (courtesy of the generator).
• Solar + Battery Systems: Adding solar panels can recharge your batteries during daylight hours, making this an eco-friendly option for resiliency. Just don’t count on them during a weeklong snowstorm!

Reliability vs. Resiliency: What’s the Cost?

Achieving high reliability is more expensive than building for resiliency. Whole-home systems require larger batteries and more complex installations, whereas partial-home setups focus only on what matters most—keeping costs in check. Many clients ask for whole-home convenience at partial-home cost. But TANSTAAFL: an under-sized whole-home system may be *less* resilient if it is regularly overtaxed by your requirements, increasing the likelihood of leaving you in the dark.

Our take: Reliable Resiliency

KIS. Keep It Simple. The simpler a system, the less to go wrong. A simple partial home backup system will give you outage protection for your essentials without breaking the bank or becoming unruly with whole-home load management complexity. It’s an efficient design solution, it leverages energy diversity, and it provides peace of mind.