BlWhen it comes to homeowners in Canada, keeping a dry basement is high on the priority list especially with the amount of severe weather our country receives. From heavy rains and snowmelt, to power outages that often accompany a storm, you’ll want a way to ensure your basement stays dry once the rain lets up. One such system is the sump pump battery backup, an essential piece of equipment that protects your home’s foundation from water damage. Yet even the most reliable sump pump can let you down, particularly when the power goes out. That is why you need a sump pump battery backup.
In this post, we cover everything you need to know about sump pump battery backup systems, including why you need one, how they function, why sump pumps fail, and how to size the battery backup. In addition we'll provide you an overview of the types of equipment for purchase, as well as solar charging choices and advise you on the best set up and maintenance. With this information, you can ensure your home is less vulnerable to damage when water decides to make itself at home.
Why You Really Need a Battery Backup for Your Sump Pump
If you have a sump pump, you absolutely do need a battery backup. Many Canadian homes are at risk of flooding for a variety of reasons including expanding weather extremes, aging infrastructure and climate change. The dangers of basement flooding are increasing. 2 in 10 Canadian homes are at risk of flooding. This can be a huge problem, especially in times of heavy rain or snow melt where those systems can become overwhelmed and water can start seeping into your basement.
The Risk of Basement Flooding in Canada
In recent decades, Canada’s been experiencing more frequent and more intense storms. Flood is the most prevalent natural disaster in the country with 80% of Canadian settlements having been constructed in part on floodplains and 10% of homes considered high risk for flood according to Public Safety Canada. Each year, floods cause about $2 billion in damage to homes, that is the most expensive natural disaster. Statistics Canada reported that between 2017 and 2020, close to 1 in 10 (9.3%) Canadian neighbourhoods were hit by flooding, while 41% had multiple flooding events over this period. Flooded basement repair costare costly, often exceeding $40,000.
When it happens, the water can destroy property such as furniture, personal items and can even distort the structure of the house. The high winds that come with these violent weather events are often accompanied by power outages. In some of the worst storms, power can go out for hours or days leaving homeowners susceptible to basement flooding. Without electricity, your sump pump is useless. And that’s where a battery backup for your sump pump can offer some critical protection, helping your pump keep pumping when it really has to.
What Happens When a Sump Pump Fails?
With no battery backup for your sump pump, you lose power. Since power outages are common during heavy storms, you’ve probably experienced that when the sump pump is most critical, your power goes out. Mechanical problems, like a failed float switch or a blocked drain pipe can stop the pump from working. These problems, along with the high chances of flooding during a storm could cause serious damage to your house or belongings.
Without Power, Your Pump Stops, Even During a Flood
One of the most critical issues in a flood-prone home is when your sump pump shuts off from a power outage. For a lot of Canadian homeowners, a sump pump is the first line of defense against flooding. But if the power goes out, the pump won’t work. What this means is that the water comes up in the sump pit and goes all over the place. If this type of leak is allowed to continue, it can do significant damage to walls, floors, and your property..
A sump pump battery backup is a safety net for when the power goes out, since your pump will still be able to function, rather than leaving your basement vulnerable to floodwaters and your house vulnerable to damage.
Cost of Damage
The price of repairing flood damage can extend to thousands of dollars. For example, repairs to the floor, drywall and insulation can be costly, especially if mold also begins to develop in the damp conditions. Not only is it expensive to deal with, mold can also be hazardous to your health. Personal belongings including clothing, furniture and electronics may be destroyed. Investing in a battery backup for your sump pump could be money well spent in order to save on repairing your basement and having to throw things out that are water damaged.
How a Battery Backup Sump Pump Works
A sump pump battery backup system kicks in automatically when your first (primary) sump pump stops working, or when your home loses power. These attach to your existing pump and are easy to install. It operates automatically in the event of a power failure or if your main sump pump fails.
What Is a Backup System?
A backup system, usually a battery or power station, supplies the pump with electricity in the event of a power failure. Some are DC (direct current); others are AC/DC, enabling them to run off the electrical grid or on battery power.
When there is a power outage, the battery backup system kicks into gear and powers your sump pump to remove the water from the basement. This helps to avoid flooding, even if the power doesn’t come back on for several hours.
Components You’ll Need
The basics of a sump pump battery backup system are:
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Battery or Power Station: A battery or power station is the fundamental piece that supplies energy in case of blackout. It may be a lithium-ion battery or a lead-acid battery, the former being the more efficient and longer-living.
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Controller and Alarm System: This feature is included to keep an eye on the performance of the system. And it often features an alarm system that warns you if there are problems with the backup or if the battery is low.
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Float Switch: This switch is what turns the sump pump on and off as water enters the sump pit. It is an essential piece of the puzzle to help the system work as it should.
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Portable Solar Panels (optional): If you want to ramp up the sustainability and self-sufficiency of your sump pump backup system, some systems offer solar panels that can be used to recharge the battery from solar energy.
Common Causes of Sump Pump Failure
There are many reasons why your sump pump may have failed. While knowing why sump pumps fail can put you in a position to troubleshoot possible problems before they take place, it’s all about making sure that your sump pump battery backup system is ready to work as it should.
Power Outage
A sump pump needs a steady flow of alternating current (AC) electricity in order to run its motor. If a power failure happens, this cuts the electrical circuit of the pump and the motor stops working. Since the pump is not receiving the mechanical power generated by the motor to cause the propeller to rotate, there is no suction and pressure differential to allow the broken pump to suck and remove the water out of the sump pit.
Undersized Pump
Performance of the sump pump is usually measured by the pumping capacity, in gallons per minute (GPM) or liters per hour (LPH), and the height that it can lift the water. If water flows into the sump pit faster than the pump can remove it, no pump can keep up. This hydraulic imbalance leads to a constantly rising water level which eventually overpowers the system and basement flooding, even though his pump is running.
Stuck Float Switch
The float switch serves as a mechanic sensor and electric switch. It usually has an internal mercury switch or other corresponding mechanisms that open or close a circuit depending on the float or switch paddle's position, which gets altered according to the water level as the buoyant float or switch paddle goes up or down. If debris, sediment or other mechanical issue interferes with the ability of the float to ascend freely to the activation level, the electrical link to the pump's motor will not close. The pump then never gets a signal to run and the water backs up into the pit.
Old Age or Rust
During prolonged periods of operation, sump pump mechanical components, such as bearings, impellers and motor windings, are subjected to friction, constant vibrations, and thermal fatigue. Water and humidity are both agents of rust for metals and factors in the breakdown of electrical insulation. This degradation raises resistance, decreases efficiency, or causes part failure, e.g., a locked motor, a broken impeller, which in the end may cause the pump to stop operating or lowers the water moving capacity.
Clogged Discharge Lines
The discharge line is the pipe that is used to carry water from the sump pump, normally to outdoors. Whenever debris – significant obstacles like sediment, gravel, even ice in colder temperatures – gets lodged in the line it blocks water from flowing as it should. It sets up counter pressure that the pump cannot exceed, so the water won’t push out. The water trapped by the flap then returns to the sump pit or can cause the pump to "deadhead", allowing the pit to overflow into the basement.
Warning Signs to Watch
Noticing the following signs that indicate water pump failure will help ensure you don’t harm your pump.
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Running Continuously: A sump pump that’s always on, even when there’s nothing it should be pumping, may indicate a bad float switch or other problem.
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No Water Discharge: If the pump is running but does not discharge any water, look for any blockage or a mechanical problem.
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Unusual Sounds or Vibrations: Unusual noises or vibrations are usually a sign that there is a problem with the pump's motor or another part of the pump.
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Pump Does Not Start: If the pump does not start, the cause can be a mechanical problem, such as—impeller is stuck or bad seal, float switch is jammed or it may be an electric problem.
How Much Power Does Your Backup Need?
In order to keep your sump pump battery backup working for you, it's important to know the power requirements of your pump. And the backup system must be able to provide enough power to keep the pump running in an outage.
Sizing Your Power Solution
The size of your backup system will vary based on your sump pump HP and power needs. The system needs to be capable of supporting both running watts and surge watts required to start the pump. Here’s a rough guide to choosing the best backup option for pump size:
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1/3 HP Pump: Uses about 800W while running and about 2,900W during startup. A 2,500W inverter is recommended.
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1/2 HP Pump: Needs around 1,050 watt for working/1,520 watt for starting. A 4,000W inverter is recommended.
How Long Will a Power Station Run a Sump Pump?
The sump pump battery backup capability duration will depend on the power station’s capacity and the size of the pump. For example:
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BLUETTI AC180 with 1152Wh can run 1/3 HP water pump for about 1.1 hours
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For 2.3 hours, the BLUETTI AC200L with 2048Wh capacity can also power the same pump.
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BLUETTI Apex 300, having capacity of 2764.8Wh, can run approximately 3 hours.
Larger units like the Apex 300 + 6×B300K (19,353.6Wh) can last for days, depending on the size of the pump and water flow.
How To Choose The Right Backup Solution
There are a few things you want to think about when you are choosing a battery backup for your sump pump. Make sure you select the solution that works best for your unique situation, and that keeps your pump running smoothly, even when all the lights go out.
What to Consider When Choosing a Backup Pump or Power Station
Here are a few of the most important aspects you need to consider:
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Types of batteries: Lithium-ion batteries are preferred, let’s compare lead-acid as well as for the compact Li-on has more performance, life cycle and they are lightweight.
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Surge Support: Make sure the backup system is capable of supplying the surge power needed to start the pump.
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Ease of Installation: Look for a backup system that’s easy to install or offers professional help with installation.
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Smart Alarm & App Monitoring: While there are not “Wifi systems” you can buy, many systems are now coming wifi compatible or smart alarms (so you can monitor your security system through your phone).
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Portability: When you need a back up on the go, how flexible and mobile can your back up preference be?
Top Portable Power Station Options
If you are searching for a car charger for your sump pump’s battery backup, you may consider the following:
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BLUETTI AC180: Compact unit with 1152Wh capacity and 1800W output for smaller use.
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BLUETTI AC200L: Mid tier, 2048Wh capacity with 2400W output, good for medium runtime.
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BLUETTI Apex 300 + B300K: High-capacity features expandable to 58kWh and offers the best protection for long outages or larger homes.
Solar Charging for Your Backup System
Solar charging of a battery back up for your sump pump is a great way to know your sump pump will have full power even during long power outages. Charging your backup system with solar panels is an eco-friendly, renewable solution. The BLUETTI Apex 300 is capable of solar charging with a solar input capacities of up to 2400W, expandable with additional new panels registered during the qualification process.
Installation & Maintenance Tips
The correct installation and maintenance of your sump pump battery backup is crucial for when you need it to work.
Install It Right
The placement of a sump pump battery backup must be close to your sump pit. check float switch placement, as well make sure that your system is not exposed to the elements. Ensure the pump’s plumbing is tight and the check valve is installed correctly.
Maintain It Regularly
If you want your sump pump battery backup to keep working at optimal levels, you will need to perform regular maintenance. Test the system monthly, clean the float switch and pit clean often, and verify that the battery is healthy by keeping it fully charged.
FAQs
How Long Will Sump Pump Battery Backup Last during a power outage?
The runtime of a sump pump battery back up is dependent on the size of your pump as well as the capacity of the power station. On the whole, a 1/3 HP pump can perform for 1 to 3 hours, based on the backup unit.
Can I install a backup battery for my sump pump myself?
Yes, the construction of sump pump battery backup systems are geared towards homeowners installing the units themselves. For more complex systems (or larger than a standard set of bookshelf speakers), a professional may be in the best position to evaluate your snake pit of cables.
What is the best battery type for a sump pump backup?
Lithium-ion batteries are superior to lead-acid batteries because they are are not only lighter, but longer lasting and provide a more efficient charge.
How do I know if my sump pump needs a battery backup?
If you live in an area where the power might often go out or you receive frequent storms a sump pump battery backup becomes necessary to keep your pump running when it’s most needed.
Can I recharge my backup system with solar panels?
Yes, a lot of sump pump battery backup setups will work with solar charging.
