Are home batteries worth it in 2026?
Home batteries earn their keep in two ways: shifting cheap overnight electricity to peak hours, and storing solar for evening use. Whether they pay back depends almost entirely on your tariff. Run the numbers below.
Frequently asked questions
Are batteries worth it without solar panels?
Yes on Octopus Go or similar — a 10kWh battery storing cheap overnight electricity can save £600–£900/year vs a flat tariff, paying back in 6–9 years.
How long do home batteries last?
Most have 10–12 year warranties with 60–80% capacity guarantees. Real-world life is typically 12–15+ years before noticeable capacity loss.
What size battery should I get?
Match it to your daily off-peak window — for Octopus Go (5h overnight) you can charge ~30–35kWh at 7kW, but most homes only shift 8–12kWh of demand. A 10–13kWh battery hits the sweet spot for the average UK home.