The Backup Power Buyer's Guide (South Africa)

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Buying backup power is a big-ticket decision, and the market is full of one-size-fits-all packages that either overspend on capacity you don't need or trip out the moment you switch on a kettle. These are the seven steps that get you a system that actually fits your home — and a fair price for it.

1. List the essentials you need to keep running

Backup power is about essentials, not the whole house. Walk through your home and note what you genuinely need during an outage: lights, Wi-Fi, TV, phone and laptop charging, and usually the fridge. Leave heavy heating appliances — geyser, kettle, oven — off the list; backing them up is expensive, and avoiding them during a slot is far cheaper. Our sizing guide has typical power draws for each appliance.

2. Work out your kW and kWh before anyone quotes you

Two numbers decide whether a system works: the inverter's power rating (kW) sets how much you can run at once, and the battery's capacity (kWh) sets how long. Knowing your own numbers before the quote is the single best protection against being upsold — installers earn more on bigger systems, so come prepared.

3. Choose the right type: inverter, generator or solar

An inverter and battery gives silent, automatic backup for essentials. A generator is cheapest upfront and runs indefinitely on fuel but is noisy. A hybrid solar system costs the most but also cuts your electricity bill and recharges from the sun through high-stage load-shedding. Our comparison guide walks through which fits which household. If you're leaning solar, a free system design and finance-matching service can save a lot of legwork.

4. Insist on a registered electrician and a CoC

Any system wired into your home's DB board must be installed by a registered electrician who issues a valid Certificate of Compliance (CoC). This protects you, your insurance and utility workers, and ensures a generator or inverter can never back-feed the grid. Never accept a system tied into your wiring without a CoC — budget for it as part of the job.

5. Compare the batteries and warranties, not just the price

The battery is usually the biggest cost, and it's where cheap systems cut corners. Ask whether it's lithium (LiFePO4) or lead-acid, what the cycle life and warranty are, and whether you can add more capacity later. Lithium costs more upfront but lasts far longer per rand. Do the same for the inverter: a known brand with local support and available spares beats the cheapest unknown import every time.

6. Get a written quote after a site assessment

A trustworthy installer visits your home, looks at your DB board and roof, and gives you a written quote — not a phone estimate. Get at least three quotes for the same specification; for identical systems, prices vary a lot. Every city page on this site lists local installers to start from, and our cost guide shows what's a fair installed price.

7. Re-check your insurance once it's installed

A solar or battery system adds real value to your home — value your household cover may not yet reflect. Once the install is signed off with its CoC, it's a natural moment to re-quote your home and contents insurance so the new equipment is properly covered against theft, fire and surge damage.

Prefer to buy the components yourself, or just compare current brand prices before you commit? A specialist online retailer is a good sanity check on any installer's quote.

This is general information, not professional or electrical advice — always use a registered installer and get a site assessment for your own home. Next step: size your inverter and battery.