Purchasing a home battery is a significant investment. You not only pay for the device itself, but also for its installation. By installing the home battery yourself, you can save some on the total costs. Is it smart to install a home battery yourself? We explain what you need to take into account.
Also read: ⚡ Buying a home battery: what should you pay attention to?
While it is currently prohibited to install or repair your central heating boiler yourself, it is permitted to install a home battery yourself. But just because it is allowed does not mean it is wise. You do need extensive knowledge of electrical engineering. You may still need to call in a professional to have new wiring installed by a certified electrician.
Installing a home battery costs on average between 500 and 1000 euros. By choosing self-installation, you only pay the costs for the home battery. You pay approximately 4,500 euros for an average 6 kWh battery. The exact amount depends on the brand and model you choose. If you meet certain conditions, you can use the reclaim VAT on the home battery and installation costs.
What should you pay attention to when installing a home battery yourself?
When installing a home battery yourself, there are a number of things you need to take into account. If you already have solar panels on your roof, you cannot simply connect the home battery to your panels, for example. You need a bidirectional inverter to charge the home battery with the power from your solar panels and to discharge the battery at a later time. It is possible to replace the existing inverter of your solar panels with a bidirectional variant, but you can also choose to add a hybrid inverter to your current system.
Also think carefully about where you place the home battery, because that is very important. It is preferable to place the unit in a dry and cool place, such as in the garage. An environment that is too warm is not good for batteries. This can significantly accelerate the degradation process, which does not benefit the lifespan of the battery. Moisture is also not desirable, because it can cause a short circuit. You also need to free up enough space, since a home battery is quite large.
Also read: What is the lifespan of a home battery?
You will find various manuals and tips on the internet if you want to install your home battery yourself. Before you start installing a home battery, you must of course turn off the power for safety reasons. Make sure you have all the necessary parts and tools to get started. You will also find tips online about setting up the home battery after installation.
Because you install a home battery yourself, there is a chance that your warranty will expire. It is difficult to prove what causes any defects. This can be due to a factory error, but also due to incorrect installation. If you do not want to lose the warranty on a home battery, you will have to call in a professional. If you carry out the installation yourself, you cannot reclaim VAT on the installation costs. On the other hand, you may incur additional costs for purchasing parts and tools.
Home battery installation: outsource or do it yourself?
If you choose to have the home battery installed by a certified installer, you will have less hassle. You can assume that the installation will be carried out correctly and you will also receive a warranty in case problems do arise. In addition, a professional will ensure that your home battery meets safety standards during installation, so that the risk of short circuit and fire is as small as possible. You can also reclaim VAT not only on the purchase of the home battery, but also on the associated installation costs.
In most cases, it is wise to outsource the installation of the home battery to a professional. There is a lot involved and it is important that the installation is done safely and properly. It may cost you 500 to 1000 euros extra, but you can probably sleep more peacefully.
Also read: What is the payback period for a home battery?
How do you find a professional?
In many cases you can have the installation carried out by the company where you purchase the home battery. That is usually a smart choice, because it ensures that you know exactly which party you can fall back on if something unexpectedly goes wrong with the battery.
If you think the provider’s installation amount is too high, but you do not want to carry out the installation yourself, make sure you hire a reliable professional. Scams by ‘professionals’ are relatively common and unlicensed handymen can, in the worst case, cause a lot of damage.
So read: Looking for a real professional? Here’s how to find one!
When looking for a good installer, it is smart to contact different installers and ask about prices and conditions. Always inquire carefully about the service after the installation of the home battery. This way you know whether you will be helped (quickly) in the event of malfunctions or defects. In addition, it cannot hurt to scrutinize the name of the installer or installation company in the Google search engine. How positive are the reviews? This way you quickly get an idea of the reliability of an installer. The same applies if you are looking for a certified electrician.
