Backup Power in
Home battery backup and standby generators for Portsmouth, from the South End and Strawbery Banke to the houses along Little Harbor.
Get a Savant QuoteA house that heats with heat pumps has no heat at all in an outage, and Portsmouth's winter storms arrive with the cold. Backup power here is as much about heat as about lights.
The South End, Prescott Park and Strawbery Banke hold several dozen restored Colonial, Georgian and Federal houses, and the city has studied that historic core's exposure to flooding.
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 Portsmouth
In a December 2022 storm, storm surge on top of a king tide flooded Prescott Park around the Shaw Warehouse and the Player's Ring theater, according to the city.
Portsmouth used a Hurricane Sandy mitigation grant to study the flood risk to its historic South End, Prescott Park and Strawbery Banke, where several dozen restored Colonial, Georgian and Federal houses stand.
Who supplies the power
Eversource serves Portsmouth and maintains the lines, including under Portsmouth Community Power, which only changes who supplies the electricity. Unitil does not deliver electricity in Portsmouth. Battery and solar interconnection goes to Eversource.
Which system fits a Portsmouth home?
We install all three, so we can recommend the one that suits the house and the budget.
RoseWater Energy
For a large waterfront house with a full technology package, a RoseWater HUB carries the whole house with zero transfer time and conditions the power all year.
Whole-home battery backup with zero transfer time and power conditioning, for large homes where nothing can blink. Most projects run $125,000 to $1,000,000.
Standby generator
A standby generator on natural gas or propane is the straightforward answer for a long outage, and the city's zoning sets specific rules for where it can sit.
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 Portsmouth
In the South End and around Prescott Park, cellars flood, and the city has studied exactly that risk for its historic houses. Batteries and transfer equipment belong above the flood level, not in an old stone basement.
On Little Harbor and the back channels, a generator pad also has to respect the city's zoning setbacks and wetland rules, so we check placement with the city before quoting.
Permits in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth's historic district, a generator install goes to the Historic District Commission. Its April 13, 2022 packet included an application for a 14 kW Generac standby generator with a transfer switch.
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 Portsmouth
We heat with heat pumps. Can a battery carry them?
We heat with heat pumps. Can a battery carry them?
It can, if the battery and inverter are sized for them. Heat pumps are a big load, so we look at the units' ratings and how long you want to run them, then size storage and decide what else to shed.
Does a generator in the historic district need approval?
Does a generator in the historic district need approval?
Yes. Generator installs in Portsmouth's historic district go to the Historic District Commission. A battery system indoors avoids that review.
Does Portsmouth Community Power affect backup systems?
Does Portsmouth Community Power affect backup systems?
No. It changes who supplies the electricity. Eversource still delivers it, and battery or solar interconnection goes to Eversource.
Ready to plan backup power in Portsmouth?
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.