Updated on September 9, 2025
Storing your energy for use later is the best way to save money on your energy bill. The long-term savings speak for themselves. But most folks are resistant to the upfront cost of a battery.
What else can you use in your home to store energy?
At PSC Energy, we know there are many other types of “batteries” that can help store solar energy for your home. From water heaters to electric vehicles, everyday items can act as energy savers.
In this article, you’ll reconsider the following:
- Electric Water Heaters
- Smart Thermostats with Thermal Storage
- Electric Vehicles (EVs)
- Refrigerators with Ice Makers
- Solar Garden Lights
- Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), Rechargeable Household Batteries, and Portable Power Banks
- Home Battery Systems
- Electric Heat Pumps
By the end of this article, you’ll have a bunch of ideas on how to use alternative solar batteries in your own home.
Electric Water Heaters
An electric water heater stores thermal energy by heating water and maintaining it at a set temperature. It heats water using electricity (or sometimes gas) and stores it in an insulated tank. This means hot water is ready for use anytime.
The electricity is stored as heat. Heat is energy. The hot water system holds energy, so it’s a battery.
By heating water during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper, you can save money. The stored hot water can be used throughout the day without additional energy costs.
If you’re interested in solar batteries, you might want to check out the following article titled, Are Solar Batteries Worth It in NSW? PSC’s Ultimate Guide for 2025.
Smart Thermostats and Thermal Storage
Your home is a battery if you’re smart about it. Water has a high thermal capacity (it can store a lot of heat quickly), and concrete is about a third less efficient. But concrete can be heated to much higher temperatures, like the brick pizza oven.
Smart thermostats can store thermal energy by pre-cooling or pre-heating homes during off-peak hours. This reduces energy use during peak periods. Materials like the concrete slab in your foundation retain heat, especially if your home is well-insulated.
Smart thermostats can be easily programmed, or some can even learn your schedule and adjust temperatures automatically. By using less energy during peak times, you can save money and reduce strain on the grid.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the price of solar batteries, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Much Are Solar Batteries? A Full Breakdown of Prices, Rebates, and Value in 2025.
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
The EV industry is just getting started.
The battery in an electric car stores electrical energy, which powers the vehicle. Some systems, like vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, allow the energy stored in EV batteries to be fed back into the home or grid.
This means your car can act as a mobile energy storage solution. For example:
- The Nissan Leaf or the electric Ford F-150 with V2G technology can provide power to your home during outages or high-demand periods.
- Tesla’s “Charge from Solar” feature lets you program your EV to charge only from your solar system, reducing reliance on the grid.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about charging EVs, you might want to check out the following article titled, How Much Solar (and Battery) Do You Need to Charge an EV in Australia?
Refrigerators with Ice Makers
Open your mind and expand your concept of a battery. What if a battery could save energy for you by expelling energy?
Some refrigerators use ice makers to create and store ice during off-peak hours. The ice can help keep the fridge cool during peak hours, reducing energy consumption.
This process, known as thermal storage, shifts energy use to periods when electricity is more affordable. It’s a simple way to save on costs and reduce peak load on the grid.
If you’re interested in looking at some solar battery choices, you might want to check out the following article titled, Which Solar Battery Should I Buy?
Solar Garden Lights
Why keep a porch light on when you can switch it off and save those kilowatt hours?
Solar garden lights store solar energy in batteries during the day and use it to power LEDs at night. They include:
- Small solar panels
- A rechargeable battery
- LED lights
During the day, the solar panel charges the battery. At night, the stored energy powers the lights, providing illumination without the need for external power.
It’s a miniature version of what you have on your roof. Same principle, just miniaturised.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about choosing a battery size, you might want to check out the following article titled, How to Choose a Solar Battery Size.
Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS), Rechargeable Household Batteries, and Portable Power Banks
These are technically batteries, but using them wisely can still save you money.
- Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS): Store electrical energy for computers and home office setups. They provide backup power during outages and protect against data loss or damage.
- Rechargeable Household Batteries: Reusable AA or AAA batteries power remote controls, flashlights, and other household devices. They reduce waste and costs by replacing disposable batteries.
- Portable Power Banks: Store energy to recharge smartphones, tablets, and other devices when power outlets are unavailable. Capacities range from single phone charges to multiple device charges.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about expanding your energy system, you might want to check out the following article titled, Expanding Your Solar Panel System with Batteries and Add-Ons.
Home Battery Systems
Of course, a proper home battery system is the most obvious choice.
Devices like the Enphase IQ Battery 5P and the Tesla Powerwall store energy from solar panels or the grid. This stored energy can power homes during outages or when electricity rates are high.
Examples:
- Enphase IQ Battery 5P stores 5 kWh and can be stacked for more capacity.
- Tesla Powerwall stores 13.5 kWh.
Both reduce peak-hour costs, improve blackout protection, and maximise the value of your solar system.
If you’d like to learn a bit more about what solar batteries are on the market, you might want to check out the following article titled, 6 Best Solar Batteries on the Market.
Electric Heat Pumps
Okay, not technically a battery. But when paired with a hot water tank, it can act like one.
Heat pumps use electricity to move heat rather than generating it by burning fuel. They:
- Transfer heat from outside air or the ground into your home in winter.
- Remove heat from your home in summer.
When paired with solar, they provide heating and cooling with minimal environmental impact. Many government programs even offer incentives for solar heat pumps.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the battery market, you might want to check out the following article titled, Best Home Solar Batteries for 2025.
Household Energy Storage: Have You Got a Battery Idea?
Now you understand how creative thinking can uncover many “batteries” already in your home. From water heaters to EVs, these solutions store or shift energy in different ways.
At PSC Energy, we want you to save money while we work together toward Net Zero by 2050. Energy efficiency will become increasingly important as we face ongoing energy challenges, and finding alternative storage solutions is a crucial part of that future. It’s what we do.
If you’re interested in learning a bit more about the federal solar battery rebate, also known as the Federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program, you might want to check out the following article titled, What the 2025 Federal Election and the Government Rebate Means for Solar Batteries in Australia.
FAQ: Solar Battery Alternatives
What are the best alternatives to a home solar battery?
Some of the best alternatives to a solar battery include electric water heaters, smart thermostats with thermal storage, electric vehicles, refrigerators with ice makers, solar garden lights, UPS systems, rechargeable batteries, portable power banks, and electric heat pumps. Each option stores or shifts energy to reduce electricity costs.
How does an electric water heater act like a battery?
An electric water heater stores energy as heat in water. By heating water during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper, the stored hot water can be used throughout the day. This reduces the need for grid electricity during peak times.
Can a smart thermostat help store solar energy?
Yes, a smart thermostat can store solar energy in the form of thermal energy. By pre-heating or pre-cooling your home during off-peak hours, your home’s materials, such as concrete and insulation, retain the energy. This reduces energy use when electricity is more expensive.
Can electric vehicles (EVs) be used as home energy storage?
Yes, electric vehicles can act as mobile energy storage. With vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology, EV batteries can send power back into your home or the grid. Features like Tesla’s “Charge from Solar” also allow EVs to charge only from rooftop solar panels.
How do refrigerators with ice makers store energy?
Some refrigerators use ice makers to store energy as ice during off-peak hours. The stored ice helps keep food cold during peak demand, lowering electricity consumption. This process is known as thermal storage.
Do solar garden lights really save energy?
Yes, solar garden lights save energy by charging a small battery during the day with sunlight. At night, the stored energy powers LED lights. This eliminates the need for grid electricity and reduces household power bills, even if only slightly.
What role do UPS systems and portable power banks play in energy storage?
UPS systems store energy to keep computers, modems, and routers running during outages. Rechargeable household batteries and portable power banks store smaller amounts of electricity for devices like remotes, flashlights, phones, and tablets. These reduce waste and help cut down reliance on disposable batteries.
Why are home battery systems still the best option?
Home battery systems, such as the Tesla Powerwall or Enphase IQ Battery 5P, offer the largest storage capacity, blackout protection, and long-term bill savings. They can store solar energy during the day and power your home at night, helping you achieve near-zero electricity bills.
Can an electric heat pump act like a solar battery?
An electric heat pump does not store electricity directly but can act like a battery when paired with a hot water tank. It moves heat instead of generating it, reducing energy use. When powered by solar panels, it provides efficient heating and cooling with minimal environmental impact.
What is the cheapest way to store solar energy at home?
The cheapest ways to store solar energy at home include using solar garden lights, rechargeable batteries, and smart thermostats with thermal storage. These options cost much less than a home battery system and still provide meaningful energy savings.
