Many people suffer from lifelong diseases and need medical equipment support at their homes. The equipment can include mobility assistance devices or life support devices like a CPAP machine. Most critical aspect of managing any sort of medical equipment at home is having a frequent power supply. It’s because a patient's life then depends on the power that runs these devices.
If you or your loved ones also need medical appliances to lead a sound life; power outages can be a nightmare. You must have a reliable battery backup for home medical equipment to tackle power outages. This comprehensive guide assists you in choosing the right battery backup for home medical equipment. You’ll get expert insights on all of your questions.
What is Home Battery Backup?
Home battery backup is a reliable solution to provide an uninterruptible power supply. The system comprises battery packs and a power converter-inverter device. You can charge the batteries from the grid supply or any other power source i.e., solar, generator, etc. The system stays in stand-by mode and activates whenever a power outage occurs.
Home battery backup is like a secondary power supply for your house. You can be worry-free about power cuts and disruptions during maintenance or harsh weather. The battery backup system will power the house seamlessly. It is the ultimate solution for houses with critical power needs, especially for medical equipment.
How does it work?
- The batteries charge from a grid supply or any alternate power source like solar energy or diesel generator.
- Whenever primary power i.e., grid supply disconnects, the battery backup provides supply to the home.
- The power inverter-converter device acts as an intermediary in both cases. It converts AC-to-DC to charge batteries and DC-to-AC to power the house.
- You can keep an eye on battery levels to prevent rundown. The best way is to reduce unnecessary loads.
Common Home Medical Equipment
Home medical equipment varies according to patient needs. It usually comprises mobility assistance devices and life support devices. Here are some common home medical equipment compatible to run on home battery backup.
Mobility Assistance Devices: Stairlift, Hospital Bed, Patient Lifter
Immobile patient care can be challenging without these devices. A stairlift makes it convenient to move the patient to a double-story house. The hospital bed is mechanized to increase the patient’s maneuverability. Similarly, the patient lifter helps in moving patients from bed to wheelchair. It is unimaginable to provide optimal care to immobile patients without these types of equipment.
Unfortunately, all these equipment fail when power is cut. There could be a situation to transport the patient, but without these devices it becomes almost impossible. The ideal solution is to have a home battery backup. Whether grid supply is available or not, you would not worry for a second.
Life Support Devices: Oxygen Concentrator, Patient Monitor
Some critical patients in homecare need life support devices like oxygen concentrators and patient monitors. The oxygen concentrator maintains the oxygen level to allow proper functioning of human organs. Similarly, the patient monitor helps observe and record vital stats like heart rate, blood pressure, etc.
An uninterruptible power supply is crucial for these devices. Whenever a power outage occurs, it can be a matter of life and death for the patient. There should be multiple alternatives to prevent the slightest chance of mishap. A home battery backup could be one such alternative.
Others: Medication Refrigerator, CPAP Machine
There's a wide range of other home medical equipment for patient care. For instance, CPAP machines are common in households with elderly people. These enable sound sleep by preventing breathing obstructions. The medication refrigerators are more common and help maintain optimum temperature levels to store medications.
Although these devices are not highly critical yet they significantly impact patients’ health and livelihood. The home battery backup can also power these devices to ensure the best home care during power disruptions.
Home Battery Backup Vs. Portable Power Station
Home battery backup and portable power stations are efficient alternatives to grid supply. Let’s see how they compare, especially in the medical homecare context;
|
Sno. |
Home Battery Backup |
Portable Power Station |
|
1. |
It provides an uninterruptible power supply. |
It is an independent power alternative to cater to your power needs. |
|
2. |
The system connects with your home electrical installations and supplies the entire home. |
A portable power station is used standalone. You can connect different appliances to the power station. |
|
3. |
The output capacity increase is possible with the addition of batteries. |
You can add battery packs to increase its capacity. |
|
4. |
Home battery backup cannot be used outdoors or in different locations. |
The portable power station could be used wherever needed. |
|
5. |
It is costly and the installation process is lengthy. |
It is cost-efficient and has plug and play convenience. |
Pros of Home Battery Backup for Medical Equipment
- Home battery backup automatically turns on during a power outage. It provides an uninterrupted power supply for medical equipment.
- You can charge battery packs using different power sources.
- The output capacity can increase conveniently with the addition of new batteries.
- The system is maintenance-free and highly reliable.
Pros of Portable Power Station for Medical Equipment
- It is a reliable and portable power solution. You can use it to power medical equipment wherever needed.
- You can keep multiple battery packs to increase output capacity and ensure continuous power supply.
- The power station has a multi-recharge facility, you can even charge the batteries from your car.
- It is a cost-efficient solution with almost zero running costs. The power station is completely maintenance-free.
How to Choose Battery Backup for Home Medical Equipment?
Choosing the right battery backup for home medical equipment is crucial to ensure the patient's health and safety. Let’s explore all the critical aspects that you must consider before making a selection:
Medical Equipment Compatibility
The battery backup output should meet the equipment specifications for optimal use. Check the voltages, amperes, and wattages specified on the equipment. Compare these specifications with the backup system’s output. Any change in specs can cause the equipment to malfunction or fail to operate.
Backup Capacity
The reliability of the system largely depends on the backup capacity. You would not want the backup to run out of power before the primary supply resumes. Therefore, carefully calculate your medical equipment power consumption in Ampere-hours and keep room for uncertain conditions. Also, account for equipment surge, it should be within the system's surge capacity.
Multi-recharge Enabled
The home battery backup should be rechargeable from multiple power sources. It enhances the system’s efficiency and ensures continuous power supply under any circumstances. Apart from grid supply, your backup should be rechargeable by solar panels. generator, etc.
EPS/UPS Feature
The home battery backup must have an EPS/UPS feature for higher reliability. This feature is crucial for home medical equipment, especially life support devices. The system provides a continuous supply whenever a power disruption occurs. The medical devices will keep on running seamlessly.
Best Emergency Power Backup for Home Medical Equipment
Now that you know everything about power backup for home medical equipment, let’s explore some of the best available solutions.
The products listed below are designed and manufactured by BLUETTI, a world-leading power solutions provider.
BLUETTI EP800+B500 Home Battery Backup
Designed to last, the BLUETTI EP800+B500 Home Battery Backup is the ultimate power solution. It has an expandable capacity of up to 12288 Wh to keep critical home medical equipment running during electricity disruptions.
You can seamlessly integrate it with your existing solar system through the AC coupling option. The BLUETTI EP800+B500 Home Battery Backup has an EPS system with a lightning-fast 20ms response time. With great reliability, the system also offers convenient control options through an interactive mobile application.
BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup
The BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup is a grid-tied power solution with expandable capacity ranging from 9920 Wh to 19804 Wh. You can conveniently charge this beast with solar power. You can power all your medical equipment without worrying about surge trips.
It has 120V and 240V output options to meet every equipment’s specifications. The BLUETTI EP900 + B500 Home Battery Backup is a cost-efficient option with a net-metering option to sell excess energy to the grid. It is built to last with an IP65 rating which allows indoor and outdoor usage. You can control the entire home battery backup seamlessly with a mobile app.
BLUETTI AC200L Portable Power Station
If you don’t want the hassle of installing a home battery backup system, the BLUETTI AC200L Portable Power Station is the best alternative. It has a 2048 Wh capacity to power smaller medical devices. You can run your CPAP machine with this device easily. Its portability is next-level, you can take it camping with grandkids or on leisure trips.
The BLUETTI AC200L Portable Power Station can do magic beyond powering medical equipment. You can charge phones, power coffee machines, and more. This device is a pocket-friendly solution for power needs.
Why Do You Need an Emergency Power Backup?
Power outages are a reality and can occur anywhere. When you have a patient at home whose life depends on equipments that run on power, surviving through power outages could be very difficult. It’s imperative to have emergency power backup no matter what’s the cruciality. You should always prepare for the worst-case scenario and strive to provide the best home care to ailing loved ones.
Imagine, transporting an immobile person to a hospital using a stairlift and suddenly power gets cut. The task which was seemingly easy becomes very hard. Similarly, when managing a critical care patient at home, power becomes a life-and-death matter. Whether you find yourself in these situations or not, having an emergency power backup is a sound decision to lead a good life.
Final Thoughts
We hope this comprehensive guide fills you with enough information to make a good selection for battery backup. You should evaluate your needs and available options to select the right home battery backup. Consider all critical aspects in the system like backup capacity and EPS/UPS feature. There are tons of options available in the market but BLUETTI stands out with advanced technology and cost-efficiency. Good luck with your selection!
