A home battery typically costs about £4,000 to £9,000 installed in the UK in 2026, depending on capacity and brand, and simple payback is often quoted at 10 years or more. Batteries make most sense with solar PV or a time-of-use tariff, and for households that use most of their power in the evening.
A battery does not generate electricity. It stores it, so the savings come from using cheaper or free power later instead of buying from the grid at the peak rate.
How a home battery works
A battery stores electricity and releases it when you need it. With solar PV, it stores surplus generation that would otherwise be exported for a low payment. Without solar, it can charge from the grid at a cheap off-peak rate and discharge at the peak rate. Capacity is quoted in kilowatt hours (kWh), and the power it can deliver at once in kilowatts (kW).
Batteries are either DC-coupled (connected to the solar side, often through a hybrid inverter) or AC-coupled (connected to the household circuit with its own inverter). AC-coupled units are easier to add to an existing solar system.
What does a battery cost?
| Size | Indicative installed cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| About 5kWh | Roughly £4,000 to £5,000 |
| 5 to 10kWh | Roughly £4,000 to £6,500 |
| 10 to 15kWh | Roughly £6,500 to £9,000 |
| Premium 13.5kWh unit | About £9,500 to £10,500 for some premium brands |
These ranges come from installer price guides and MCS and DESNZ-derived data, which do not fully agree. Smaller batteries cost more per kWh than larger ones. Battery installs are currently zero-rated for VAT until 31 March 2027, after which the 5% reduced rate is due to apply unless the relief is extended. Confirm the position on gov.uk before you order.
How big a battery do you need?
Look at your evening and overnight usage. A typical home uses perhaps 8 to 12kWh a day, much of it in the evening, so a battery of about 5 to 10kWh usually covers the main peak. A larger battery than your surplus solar can fill is wasted money. Your installer should size it from your meter data, not a rule of thumb. Our Solar PV Calculator helps with the solar side.
Does a battery pay back?
Reported savings for a typical household are roughly £300 to £800 a year, depending on tariff and solar. At installed costs of £4,000 to £9,000 that means a simple payback often of 10 years or more, so the economics are marginal unless you have solar, a time-of-use or smart tariff, or want back-up resilience. Check the battery warranty, which is usually quoted in years and in guaranteed cycles or throughput.
The average electricity price under the Ofgem cap is about 26.3p per kWh from October to December 2026. The bigger the gap between the price you pay at peak and the price you charge at, the better a battery does. Compare current time-of-use tariffs and export rates before you buy, because they change frequently.
Back-up power
Check before you buy: Many batteries do not provide power in a blackout by default. Back-up needs specific hardware and wiring, and often covers only selected circuits. If resilience matters to you, make it an explicit requirement in the quote.
Grid connection, safety and Building Regulations
- Grid connection: batteries must be notified to your network operator under G98 or G99. An AC-coupled battery added to existing solar can take the total over the G98 limit.
- Electrical work: installation is notifiable under Part P and should be carried out by a competent registered installer.
- Location: choose a location that follows the manufacturer's instructions and current fire-safety guidance, such as away from escape routes and with the clearances required. Garages and utility rooms are common, and your installer and building control should confirm.
- Planning: a battery inside the home generally does not need planning permission. External cabinets and listed buildings need checking.
- Insurance: tell your home insurer you have a battery.
Choosing an installer and a battery
- Use an MCS-certified installer where the battery is part of a solar installation that will join the Smart Export Guarantee.
- Compare usable capacity, not headline capacity, plus round-trip efficiency, power output, warranty and what the warranty covers.
- Ask how the battery will be controlled and whether it works with the tariff you plan to use.
- Get written quotes that state who handles the DNO notification.
See the Solar PV guide for the rest of the process.
Sources and further reading
- HMRC: VAT rates for energy-saving materials (VENSAV2083) Zero rate dates for batteries and heat pumps
- HMRC: electrical storage batteries (VENSAV3061) How VAT applies to battery installs
- Ofgem: energy price cap and standing charges Electricity unit rates and standing charges
- MCS: the quality mark for small-scale renewables Certification and the installer directory
External links open in a new tab. Last checked October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a home battery cost in the UK?
Typically about 4,000 to 9,000 pounds installed in 2026, depending on capacity and brand. Smaller batteries cost more per kWh.
Is a home battery worth it?
Often marginal. Simple payback is commonly quoted at 10 years or more, and it improves with solar PV and time-of-use tariffs. Model it using your own usage.
Can I get a battery without solar panels?
Yes. A battery can charge from the grid at a cheap off-peak rate and discharge at peak times, but savings depend on the tariff spread.
Will a battery power my home in a blackout?
Not by default. Back-up needs specific hardware and wiring, so ask for it explicitly if you want it.
Do I need to tell my network operator about a battery?
Yes. Batteries are notified or approved under G98 or G99, and your installer normally handles this.