Energy · kWh
How long can it run?
Kilowatt-hours describe stored energy. Fewer connected loads can stretch that energy across a longer outage.
PRO Electric plus HVAC · Northern Virginia
Home battery backup.Life stays on.
Battery backup & critical load panel installation in Northern Virginia.
Keep the refrigerator cold, the important lights on, and your essential circuits ready when utility power goes out. We build your backup plan around the things your home needs most.
- No engine exhaust
- Automatic backup options
- Licensed installation
YOUR HOME, ILLUSTRATED
Grid off. Your essentials stay on.Stored battery energy supports the selected circuits. Other circuits stay off in this example.
Concept illustration. Actual equipment and circuit layout vary.
Virginia licensedContractor #2705181607
Permits & inspectionsCoordinated for your project
Four NoVA countiesLocal electrical & HVAC team
Clear scope & pricingApproved before work begins
A clear answer
Backup power starts with the right circuits.
PRO Electric plus HVAC installs home battery backup systems and critical load panels across Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, and Prince William Counties. We assess your electrical panel, identify the circuits you want to keep running, and match the battery and transfer equipment to your home.
A home battery stores electricity. A critical load panel groups your essential circuits. Compatible transfer equipment separates the backed-up circuits from the utility during an outage so your stored energy can supply them safely.
ChooseThe circuits that matter
SizePower and runtime together
ConnectWith a permitted installation
BatteryStores energy for an outage.
Transfer equipmentSeparates backed-up circuits from the grid.
Critical load panelSupplies the circuits you choose.
What is a critical load panel?
A dedicated home for your essential circuits.
A critical load panel is a smaller electrical subpanel for the circuits you choose to back up. It helps keep stored energy focused on the loads you want most during an outage.
- Prioritize everyday essentials. Refrigeration, internet equipment, selected outlets, and lighting are common starting points.
- Evaluate pumps and heating carefully. A sump pump or furnace blower needs enough power to start and run.
- Keep high-demand loads in perspective. EV charging, electric heat, and large appliances may need more equipment or load controls.
A critical load panel is one approach. Some systems use compatible smart panels or load controls instead. We evaluate the arrangement that fits your equipment and goals.
Interactive backup planner
What would you want
to keep running?
Select your priorities and an outage length. See how your choices change the energy target, then bring the plan to your estimate.
These are illustrative average loads, not measured appliance ratings. Pumps, compressors, and blowers need a separate starting-power check.
Use additional watts for loads not listed. Capacity choices are examples, not specific products.
2 hours24 hours48 hours
See the calculation & planning assumptions
Planning capacity = average watts × target hours ÷ 1,000 ÷ 0.80. Example runtime = selected usable capacity × 0.80 × 1,000 ÷ average watts.
The 80% factor is an illustrative combined allowance for reserve and conversion losses. It is not a manufacturer specification. The example starts with a fully charged battery and assumes no solar or generator recharge. Starting charge, temperature, aging, real appliance use, inverter limits, and settings affect actual performance.
Average watts help estimate energy use. They do not establish the inverter size, peak power, circuit capacity, or motor starting capability. This planner is not a load calculation or equipment recommendation.
How long will battery backup last?
Two numbers shape your backup plan.
A battery has to store enough energy for your outage goal and deliver enough power to run your equipment. We check both before recommending a system.
Power · kW
What can run at once?
Kilowatts describe power output. Motors can briefly draw more when starting, even when their average use is modest.
A simple example: 8 kWh delivered to a steady 500-watt load lasts about 16 hours. Double that load to 1,000 watts and it lasts about 8 hours. Actual use and system limits affect the result.
Find your starting point
One home. Different backup goals.
The right installation depends on what you need to keep running and how you want to manage an outage.
You do not need solar for every battery installation. Some systems recharge from utility power. Solar compatibility, expansion, and backup functions are equipment-specific.
Battery backup vs. generator
Choose for the outage you want to cover.
Comparing backup power options for a Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, or Prince William home? Start with essential loads, outage duration, and how energy will be replenished.
| What matters | Home battery backup | Fuel-powered generator |
|---|---|---|
| Energy source | Stored electricity, recharged from supported sources | Fuel, such as natural gas, propane, or gasoline |
| Noise & exhaust | No engine exhaust; some equipment has fans or operating noise | Engine noise and combustion exhaust |
| Long outages | Limited by stored energy and available recharge | May run longer while fuel and equipment remain available |
| Automatic operation | Available with backup-capable controls and transfer equipment | Available with a properly equipped standby system |
| Upkeep | Monitoring, manufacturer service guidance, and capacity checks | Engine service, fuel management, and manufacturer maintenance |
Using a portable generator now? CPSC advises outdoor use only, at least 20 feet from homes, with exhaust facing away from doors, windows, and vents. Never run one inside a home or garage. Read CPSC generator safety guidance
Already have a generator or considering one? Ask us to assess the electrical integration. Battery and generator equipment cannot be assumed compatible.
Installation, explained
From “what stays on?”
to a system you understand.
Walk through your home.
We review panel condition, existing circuits, equipment location, and the loads you want to support.
Define the scope.
We evaluate battery capacity, output, transfer equipment, and any panel work. You approve the price before installation.
Make the connections.
We coordinate required permits and inspections, install the equipment, and label the backed-up circuits.
Know your backup.
We check operation and explain the controls, backed-up loads, operating limits, and manufacturer guidance.
What affects the cost of battery backup installation?
Your installed price depends on your home and the selected equipment. We build a written scope around those details, so you can see what the project includes.
Get a project-specific estimate- Battery & power outputHow much energy you need and what must run together.
- Panel & transfer equipmentCritical circuits, load controls, and any needed corrections.
- Location & wiringCable routes, mounting, clearances, and equipment protection.
- Permits & coordinationProject requirements, inspections, and utility involvement if required.
Installation timing depends on scope, equipment availability, permitting, and inspection scheduling. Financing is available on request; ask about current terms.
Why PRO Electric plus HVAC
The wiring and the equipment.
One local team.
Backup power touches the panel, your household appliances, and often your heating or cooling equipment. We bring electrical and HVAC experience to the same conversation.
Virginia Electrical & HVAC Contractor
License 2705181607
License 2705181607
Your loads come first.
We start with the circuits and appliances you want to keep running, then work through the equipment requirements.
A defined installation.
Panel work, transfer equipment, permits, and inspections are considered as part of the project scope.
A price you approve.
We explain the work and options before you commit. You know what the estimate includes.
A team nearby.
With offices in Falls Church and Fairfax, we serve homeowners throughout our four Northern Virginia counties.
Your local backup power electrician
Built for Northern Virginia homes.
From a home office in Arlington to a basement sump pump in Fairfax or a larger home in Loudoun, we plan around your property and priorities. Request a battery backup installation estimate in our service area.
Fairfax County
Fairfax, McLean, Reston, Vienna, Herndon, and surrounding communities.
Loudoun County
Ashburn, Leesburg, Sterling, South Riding, and nearby communities.
Arlington County
Arlington neighborhoods including Ballston, Clarendon, and Crystal City.
Prince William area
Gainesville, Haymarket, Woodbridge, plus Manassas and Manassas Park.
Also serving Falls Church. Call 703-225-8222 to confirm scheduling for your address.
Straight answers
Home battery backup questions, answered.
Understand the system before you choose it. These are the practical questions to discuss with your installer.
Who installs home battery backup in Northern Virginia?
PRO Electric plus HVAC installs home battery backup systems and critical load panels for homeowners in Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, and Prince William Counties. Our team evaluates your electrical panel and selected circuits, explains the options, and handles the permitted installation. Call 703-225-8222 to request a free estimate.
What is a critical load panel?
A critical load panel is a subpanel that groups the circuits you want to support during an outage, such as your refrigerator, selected lights, internet equipment, and a properly sized sump pump. The battery supplies those circuits through compatible transfer equipment. The panel itself does not store energy or create backup power.
Do I need solar panels to install a home battery?
No. Some home battery systems can charge from utility power and supply backup electricity during an outage without solar panels. The equipment must support that configuration. Adding solar later depends on the battery, inverter, controls, and the proposed solar system, so we check compatibility before you buy.
How long will my battery backup last?
Runtime depends on available battery energy and the average power used by the connected loads. For example, 8 kWh delivered to a steady 500-watt load lasts about 16 hours. Actual results vary with starting charge, reserve settings, battery condition, temperature, equipment losses, and appliance use. Solar recharge, when available, can change the result.
Can a home battery run my whole house?
A properly designed system may support whole-home backup, but the battery and inverter must cover both energy needs and simultaneous power demand. Heating, cooling, electric cooking, water heating, and EV charging can substantially increase the required capacity. Some homes need multiple batteries or automatic load management. We assess the loads before recommending a configuration.
Can battery backup run a furnace, heat pump, or sump pump?
Possibly, after the equipment is checked. A gas furnace still needs power for its blower and controls. A heat pump, electric heat, and motor-driven pumps can require much more power, including a brief surge when starting. We check voltage, operating demand, starting demand, and controls before including these circuits.
How much does battery backup installation cost?
The price depends on battery capacity, power output, transfer equipment, circuit changes, wiring distance, equipment location, permits, and any electrical panel corrections or upgrades. A battery-only equipment price is not the same as an installed system price. We provide a project-specific scope and price before work begins.
Will the battery switch on automatically during an outage?
A backup-capable battery system with properly configured transfer equipment can switch automatically when utility power fails. Transfer time varies by product and system design. Sensitive electronics may restart, so use an appropriately specified UPS when a device needs uninterrupted power. A battery installed only for energy management may not provide outage backup.
Can a home battery be installed in a garage or basement?
The location must be approved for the exact battery system and meet applicable installation, electrical, and fire requirements. A battery does not produce engine exhaust, but that does not make every indoor location suitable. We evaluate manufacturer instructions, working space, clearances, temperature limits, and physical protection during the site assessment.
Do I need to replace my electrical panel first?
Not always. The existing panel may work with a critical load subpanel or a compatible load-management design. Its condition, capacity, available space, and compatibility determine whether repairs or an upgrade are needed. We explain any required panel work as part of the estimate.
Do you handle permits and inspections?
Yes. PRO Electric plus HVAC coordinates the permits and inspections required for the battery and electrical panel work in our installation scope. Requirements and scheduling vary by jurisdiction and project. Any required utility coordination is addressed during planning.
Does battery backup need maintenance?
It avoids engine maintenance such as oil changes and fuel handling, but it is not a set-and-forget system. Follow the manufacturer’s inspection and service instructions, monitor alerts and backup settings, and keep required clearances open. Battery capacity changes over time. We review the operating basics at handoff.
What happens when the battery runs out?
Backup output stops when the system reaches its operating limit, or a reserve limit that applies in the current mode. Recovery depends on the equipment and available charging source. Utility power or compatible solar may recharge the battery, but solar restart behavior differs by system. Plan for outages longer than the available stored energy.
Is battery backup better than a generator?
Battery backup offers stored electricity without an engine, fuel deliveries, or on-site combustion exhaust. A fuel-powered generator may be better suited to extended outages if fuel remains available. Your essential loads, expected outage length, site conditions, and recharge options determine the better fit. We help you evaluate the electrical requirements before choosing equipment.
Connected electrical services
Get the rest of your system ready.
Technical references for homeowners
- Tesla: examples of whole-home and partial-home backup system arrangements
- Tesla owner documentation: grid charging and backup versus non-backup configurations
- Enphase: how load controls prioritize selected circuits
- CPSC: carbon monoxide and portable generator safety
Manufacturer examples explain system concepts; equipment options and installation eligibility must be confirmed for your project.
Let’s plan your backup
What in your home
needs to stay on?
Tell us your location, the circuits you want to support, and whether you already have solar, a generator, or a battery. We’ll help you understand the next step.
703-225-8222
Prefer to talk it through?
Call our team about battery backup and critical load panel installation.
Fairfax office: 703-244-3432
Ask about available financing and our veteran and military discount.
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PRO Electric plus HVAC · Virginia contractor license 2705181607 · Serving Fairfax, Loudoun, Arlington, and Prince William Counties