Backup Power in
Whole-home battery backup and standby generators across Newton's villages, including its four local historic districts.
Build Your Power PlanIn Newton, the outages that reach the most homes have often come from equipment rather than weather. A failed underground part in Newton Highlands in 2023 and a transformer fire in 2016 each took out thousands of customers in a single day.
Boston Backup Power is a division of Boston Automations in Norwood. We design and install RoseWater Energy systems, Savant Power and Generac and Kohler standby generators, and licensed electricians and gas fitters make the connections.
Authorized RoseWater Energy Dealer. Authorized Savant dealer. Authorized Generac and Kohler partner. Updated .
Storms and outages in Newton
In the March 2, 2018 nor'easter, Eversource had 793 Newton customers out at noon, more than 1,000 by 6:20 p.m. and more than 1,200 at the peak. On Saturday afternoon, 969 were still without power.
On Thursday, April 6, 2023, a piece of underground equipment failed near Walnut Street and Lakewood Road in Newton Highlands at about 3:30 p.m., and roughly 6,500 Eversource customers lost power until about 9:40 p.m. On April 11, 2016, an Eversource transformer fire affected more than 7,000 customers, mostly in Newton, and shuttle buses replaced Green Line D branch trains between Riverside and Reservoir.
Who supplies the power
Eversource supplies Newton. Any solar or battery interconnection for a Newton house goes through Eversource.
Which system fits a Newton home?
We install all three, so we can recommend the one that suits the house and the budget.
Savant Power
On a tight Newton lot with no room for a generator, Savant Power puts relay modules in the existing panel and Savant Power Storage inside the house.
Relay modules in your existing panel and Savant Power Storage batteries, so you choose which circuits get backup power and see your usage in the Savant app. Modules typically run $2,000 to $10,000, and battery backup $10,000 to more than $100,000.
Standby generator
A standby generator on natural gas is a solid choice where the lot has room. In a local historic district it needs a location the commission accepts.
A Generac or Kohler standby generator on natural gas or propane that starts on its own when the power goes out. Most installs run $7,500 to $20,000.
Where the equipment goes in Newton
Newton's larger houses usually have a lower level or garage with space for a HUB, about 3.5 feet wide, 3 feet deep and 8 feet high with 36 inches clear in front.
On a city lot, a generator has to keep its distance from your windows and the neighbor's, which narrows the choices. A battery inside often turns out to be the simpler answer.
Permits in Newton
Newton has four local historic districts: Auburndale, Chestnut Hill, Newton Upper Falls and Newtonville. Changes visible from a public way need a Certificate of Appropriateness after full review. Work that cannot be seen from a public way gets a Certificate of Non-Applicability.
How to start
For a RoseWater system, start with the Power Plan. For Savant Power, use the Savant quote form. For a standby generator, use the generator quote form. If you are not sure which one fits, use the contact form or call (781) 333-8003 and we will talk it through. We reply within one business day.
Questions about backup power in Newton
We live in the Chestnut Hill historic district. What needs approval?
We live in the Chestnut Hill historic district. What needs approval?
Anything visible from a public way, such as a generator or an outdoor cabinet, goes to the historic district commission. Equipment inside the house qualifies for a Certificate of Non-Applicability.
Our Newton lot is tight. Can we still have backup?
Our Newton lot is tight. Can we still have backup?
Yes. A RoseWater HUB or a Savant battery goes inside, so the lot size matters less. A generator needs room to clear windows and doors, which some city lots do not have.
How large a house can one HUB cover?
How large a house can one HUB cover?
A HUB40 covers a 200 A service, and several HUB40s work together for larger services. We size it from the panel schedules.
The March 2018 storm kept us dark into the next day. Would a battery have carried us?
The March 2018 storm kept us dark into the next day. Would a battery have carried us?
For the circuits on it, yes, if it is sized for about a day of use. Newton's outage that weekend ran from Friday into Saturday afternoon for many streets, so we would size the storage for that, or add a generator for anything longer.
Ready to plan backup power in Newton?
Tell us about the house and what has to stay on. We visit, size the system and give you a written proposal. We reply within one business day.