A home battery system is a device that stores electricity for use in your home. It’s typically mounted on a wall alongside your electrical panel. It’s a lot like any rechargeable battery you already know and use, except it’s much bigger, it can store much more power and it’s wired into your home’s electrical setup.

Most home batteries use lithium-ion technology. It’s the same reliable chemistry found in smartphones and electric vehicles. This technology offers a great balance of capacity, efficiency and lifespan. Inside, a battery management system (BMS) monitors things like temperature, voltage and charge levels to keep the system operating safely and efficiently. When your home needs power, an inverter converts the stored direct current (DC) electricity into usable alternating current (AC) that powers your lights, appliances and devices. The technology behind home batteries is relatively straightforward. But the impact they can have is far-reaching and meaningful. One of the most powerful benefits (pun intended!) is how they can help us make better use of renewable energy sources like wind and solar. But just as importantly, they can help you lower your electricity costs and make your home more resilient.

Why it’s great for homeowners

Reliable backup during power outages From hurricanes to winter storms, Nova Scotians are no strangers to extreme weather and the power outages that come with it. A battery can keep essential systems running during an outage—such as your fridge, sump pump, lights and internet. It’s a quieter, more seamless alternative to a generator and it kicks in automatically. Lower energy bills If you’re on a time-varying pricing rate (like Time-of-Use) you can save money over time by taking advantage of a practice called load shifting. This involves charging your battery when power rates are lower (because demand is lower) and then using it later—when rates are higher because demand is higher. Efficiency Nova Scotia encourages load shifting through a program called Demand Response. Why? Because by limiting or shifting your energy use from high-demand times to low-demand times, you help ease demand on the grid and keep electricity flowing for everyone.

Improved value from solar panels If your home has solar panels, a battery can store the power you generate during the day so you can use it later—like in the evening, when your energy use may still be high but the sun isn’t shining. This helps you get more out of your solar investment and rely less on the grid.

Earn incentives by supporting the grid When you install a home battery and enroll it with Efficiency Nova Scotia’s free Eco Shift program, you’ll receive a one-time enrollment incentive of $500. You can also receive, on average, an additional $300 per kWh (depending on the size and performance of your system throughout the season). In return, you allow your battery to support the grid during high-demand periods—typically by adjusting when your home draws or stores energy. You stay in control and get rewarded for helping stabilize the system. How much can you potentially earn? Well, in the 2024/2025 season, the average first-year participant earned $1,100 in enrollment and participation incentives, and could earn $600 for each additional year that they’re enrolled and participating.

Why it’s good for the grid, the province and the planet

Stronger integration of renewables Nova Scotia is shifting to renewable wind and solar power generation. These are clean and plentiful—but they aren’t always available during times of peak demand. Batteries help bridge that gap, storing renewable energy when production is high and making it available when it’s needed most, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and making the grid cleaner. A more reliable, resilient grid When thousands of homes use battery storage to reduce their draw on the grid at high-demand times, it eases the load on central power plants and minimizes reliance on our electricity infrastructure. It also supports Nova Scotia’s transition to a cleaner, greener grid by making it easier to integrate more renewable energy sources. Economic and environmental benefits Home battery systems support Nova Scotia’s growing green economy by creating jobs in installation, maintenance and system design. They also help reduce emissions within the province. In short, they’re an investment in both climate action and local prosperity. There are a number of Efficiency Preferred Partners who specialize in solar or battery installations, if you’d like to find one near you.

Want to be a part of the home battery revolution?

Adding a battery system to your home can be a very smart, practical decision, for you and your home province. Of course, like any home upgrade, it comes with an upfront cost. Most residential batteries range from $1,000 to $1,500 per kWh of storage capacity—but there are programs and incentives available that make it much more affordable. Some programs can bring the cost to you down to well below $5,000. Plus, once your battery is installed, don’t forget to enroll it with Eco Shift to take advantage of additional cash incentives. Home batteries are more than a backup plan—they’re a smart way to reduce costs, support clean energy and help build a more resilient Nova Scotia. And, critically, they’re a key part of our transition to renewable energy production.