Whole Home Backup Power

How Whole Home Backup Works

The Anvil PowerStack integrates with your home's electrical panel through a transfer switch. When grid power fails, the system detects the outage in milliseconds and automatically switches your home to battery power. The transition is so fast that sensitive electronics like computers and medical equipment continue operating without interruption.

During normal operation, the PowerStack charges from solar panels or the grid, keeping batteries topped off and ready. When an outage occurs, stored energy flows to your home. Once grid power returns, the system seamlessly switches back and resumes charging. The entire process is automatic—no manual intervention required.

Our DC-first architecture means 15–20% better efficiency than AC-coupled competitors. More of your solar generation reaches your battery, and more stored energy reaches your appliances. That translates to longer runtime during outages and faster recharge when the sun is shining.

Sizing Your System

Choosing the right PowerStack size depends on two factors: which loads you want to back up and how long you need them to run. For critical-load-only backup (refrigerator, lights, Wi-Fi, phone chargers), the entry-level PowerCore at 1,536 Wh provides 3–4 hours of runtime. Most homeowners choose the PowerPro at 3,072 Wh for 6–8 hours of whole-home essentials coverage.

For larger homes or extended outages, the PowerMax delivers 5,120 Wh—enough for 10+ hours of backup or to run higher-draw appliances like well pumps and HVAC blowers. Need even more capacity? The modular design lets you add multiple units. Each PowerStack cube pairs with its own inverter, so you can scale from 1.5 kWh to 15+ kWh as your needs grow.

A quick sizing rule: add up the wattage of appliances you want to back up, multiply by the hours of runtime you need, and choose a PowerStack with at least that capacity. Our team can help you calculate exact requirements during a consultation.

Installation & Transfer Switch

Professional installation typically takes 4–6 hours. A licensed electrician installs a transfer switch at your main panel, which isolates your home from the grid during outages (required by code) and routes power from the PowerStack to your circuits. You can choose a whole-home transfer switch or a critical-load subpanel that backs up only selected circuits.

The PowerStack itself requires minimal space—about the size of a small filing cabinet. It can be installed in a garage, basement, utility room, or outdoors in a weatherproof enclosure. Solar panels connect directly to the unit's built-in charge controller; no separate solar inverter is needed, which simplifies installation and reduces cost.

All installations include commissioning, system testing, and a walkthrough of the monitoring app. We'll make sure everything works perfectly before we leave.

Frequently Asked Questions