Running Your Home on a Battery Is Emerging as the Smartest Way to Reduce Energy Costs
UK households are saving more with battery storage alone than with solar panels
Tom Hunt, Senior Reporter
Published: 06:50, 20 Nov 2025 | Updated: 20:22, 20 Nov 2025
Energy bills continue to rise. Families are looking for real ways to cut costs.
Now experts say the solution may not be solar panels at all.
It may be something far simpler.
A home battery.
And it can work even if you don't have solar.
Why Solar Is Struggling in the UK
Solar has been promoted for more than a decade.
But the system has a flaw many homeowners discover too late.
Solar only works during daylight hours.
Most homes use the most energy in the morning and evening.
This means a large amount of solar energy is unused or exported back to the grid for a small credit.
Winter Makes Solar Even Weaker
Short days and cloud cover cut solar generation by up to 90 percent during winter.
Exactly when heating, lighting, cooking and daily demand go up.
This is why solar payback can stretch beyond 10 years.
A Storage Problem, Not a Solar Problem
When the government pushed solar, the plan was to help homes become more self sufficient.
But one key detail was missed...
Energy that is generated must be used immediately or stored.
If not, it is lost.
Batteries were never prioritised in the policy. The focus stayed on panels instead of storage.
Why Batteries Are Beating Solar
A home battery can work completely on its own.
It charges using cheap electricity when tariffs are low and powers your home during times with energy tariffs are high. No sunlight needed.
Batteries are typically half the price of solar and the payback period is usually around half the time.
They begin saving money immediately and perform the same in every season with reported savings of a massive 70%!
For many UK households, a battery alone is the smarter and more cost-effective choice.
Real Households Are Already Making the Switch
“I was quoted £12,000 for solar but spent £6,000 on a battery instead. I saw savings immediately.”
Sarah, Bedford
“I never touch peak rate energy now. The battery charges overnight and powers the house all day.”
Michael, Surrey
Want to See How Much a Battery Could Save You?
Get your personalised savings plan, showing:
Your potential annual savings
✔️ How much peak-rate energy you can avoid
✔️ Your estimated payback period
✔️ The right battery size for your home
✔️ What your bills could look like next year with storage
It takes less than a minute to get started. Click the button below ↓
Still unsure about running your home on a battery?
Check out the answers to common questions below...
Can a battery power my home all day?
Yes, absolutely. A correctly sized battery can run your home through the most expensive hours of the day, and in many cases all day long. Even if it doesn’t cover 24 hours, it will cover the peak-rate periods, which is where the real savings happen.
👉 Use our Free Energy Savings Calculator to see how long a battery would power your home.
How do I calculate my payback?
Payback depends on your usage, battery size and tariff, but most customers recover their investment within 5–7 years.
👉 Get your personalised payback instantly with our Free Energy Savings Calculator.
How easy is it to install a battery?
Very easy, much like having a car charger fitted. We run a cable from your fuse board to the batteries and then wire everything up. All of our installs are carried out by qualified electricians and usually completed within a day.
All installation come complete with the necessary paperwork (Electrical Certification and G99).
Can I take it with me if I move home?
Yes. Your home battery is fully transferable. If you move, our team can simply uninstall it and reinstall it at your new property. The same can't be said for solar panels.
What is the expected lifespan of a battery?
ESME.energy batteries come with a 10 year, or 6000 cycles , guarantee. They are designed to perform reliably every day, all year round with little to no maintenance.
Can I batteries with solar panels?
Yes. Batteries work brilliantly with solar and prevent your daytime energy from going to waste. But you don’t need solar at all, batteries work perfectly on their own.
How does a battery produce clean energy?
A battery doesn’t create energy, it stores it when it’s cheaper and often greener. Most off-peak electricity comes from lower-carbon sources, so running your home from a battery reduces both cost and carbon.
How do I check if my home is suitable?
Almost all UK homes are suitable. If you have a modern fuse board and a small amount of space (garage, utility room, wall or outside), you’re good to go.
👉 Use our Free Energy Savings Calculator to confirm your home’s suitability in seconds.