~410,000 ComEd outages in two days of storms (Aug 2026)
When the grid goes down, keep your lights on.
A home battery, with or without solar, keeps your fridge, furnace, sump pump and Wi-Fi running through the next Illinois storm. Find out exactly what it would run in your home, and what it really costs.
- No door-knocking
- No pressure
- Everything in writing
Why Illinois homeowners are looking at backup power
~410,000
ComEd called it its 20th major weather event of 2026.
Source: ComEd press release, Aug 15, 2026+12%
Driven by record grid capacity prices in the PJM market.
Source: Citizens Utility Board0 hours
Grid-tied inverters shut off during an outage to protect line workers. Backup needs a battery.
Source: IEEE 1547 / National Electrical Code (anti-islanding)How it works
From “what if the power goes out?” to a plan, in three steps.
- 1
Tell us about your home
Two minutes: your ZIP, your utility, and what has to stay on during an outage (heat, sump pump, medical device, home office).
- 2
15-minute Backup Power Check
We show you what a battery would run, for how long, with or without solar, and how it compares to a generator. Plain English, no pressure.
- 3
A written quote, if you want one
A licensed, insured Illinois installer prepares a written quote with every number, including Illinois incentives. You decide. One “no” and we stop.
Backup calculator
How long would your house last without the grid?
Pick what has to stay on. We’ll estimate how long a home battery keeps it running. Rough numbers for planning, not a quote.
Estimated backup time
~31 hours
- Your essentials use
- 9.5 kWh/day
- Usable battery energy
- 12.2 kWh
Estimates only. Real runtime depends on your appliances, weather, battery model, inverter limits and how your home is wired. Not an offer or a quote.
Honest comparison
Generator, battery subscription, or your own battery?
There is no single right answer. Here is how the options really compare, so you can pick what fits your home, not what a salesperson wants to sell.
| Portable generator | Standby generator | Battery subscription | Your own battery (+ solar) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turns on automatically | You start it, in the storm | Yes, in seconds | Yes | Yes, in milliseconds |
| Quiet, no fumes | Loud, outdoor only | Engine noise | Silent | Silent |
| No fuel to buy or store | Gas cans, refueling | Gas line or propane | Charges from the grid | Grid + your own sun |
| Keeps going in a multi-day outage | While you have fuel | While fuel lasts | Until the battery runs out | Solar can refill it daily |
| Can lower your electric bill | No | No | Depends on the plan | Yes, with solar |
| You own it, no long contract | Yes | Yes | Often a multi-year agreement | Own it, or lease if you prefer |
| Illinois incentives available | No | No | Varies | Storage & solar programs* |
Generator the better fit for you? We work with licensed generator installers too, so we can recommend whatever actually fits your home. Ask us. Renting? See portable options.*Illinois has storage and solar incentive programs administered by utilities and the state; amounts and eligibility change. Your written quote will show which ones apply to you. General comparison only; specific products and contracts vary.
Options & real prices
Pick your level of backup. We’ll tell you which one you actually need.
Typical installed price ranges in Illinois, 2026. No “starting at $0”. Your written quote will have exact numbers, and we never recommend more than your home needs.
Storm Ready Basics
Quick protection on a small budget
$1,200 – $3,500
typical, all three items
- Sump pump battery backup
- Whole-home surge protection
- Safe hookup for a portable generator
Essentials Backup
Most Illinois homes
$11,500 – $16,500
before incentives · 1 home battery
- Fridge, furnace fan, sump pump, Wi-Fi and lights stay on
- Switches over automatically, silently
- Add solar later, or add it to the panels you have
Whole-Home Backup
Long outages, central AC, bigger homes
$9,500 – $35,000
standby generator or 2+ batteries
- Choose: standby generator or multiple batteries
- Runs most of the house
- We compare both honestly
Energy Independence
Backup plus lower bills for decades
$35,000 – $50,000
before incentives · solar + battery
- Solar recharges your battery every sunny day
- Lower electric bills year-round
- Illinois incentives may reduce your cost
Price ranges are general estimates based on published 2026 market data, not an offer or a quote. Exact pricing, financing terms and incentive eligibility come from the licensed installer’s written proposal. We are not affiliated with ComEd, Ameren, the State of Illinois, or the Illinois Shines program.
Already have solar panels?
Your panels go dark when the grid does. A battery changes that.
Most solar in Illinois is grid-tied: it shuts off during an outage. Adding a battery lets your panels keep your essentials running, and recharge the battery every sunny day.
Check my homeThe Lights On Promise
Illinois has had enough of pushy solar sales. So here’s how we work.
We never knock on your door
You reach out to us. Not the other way around.
Every number in writing
Price, incentives, payments, and what the battery will and won't power, before you sign anything.
No “free solar” gimmicks
If something is a lease, we call it a lease. If it costs money, we say how much.
Licensed, insured installers only
You'll see the installer's license and reviews before you decide.
One “no” and we stop
No follow-up spam. Reply STOP or just tell us.
After the install, you still have my number
A real person, not a call center.
Who’s behind this
A neighbor, not a call center.
Hi, I’m Jerry. I live in Illinois, and I started Lights On Illinois after watching whole neighborhoods sit in the dark for days after a storm, and the same neighbors get door-knocked with “free solar” pitches the week after.
I explain home energy in plain English on social media, and I connect homeowners who want backup power with vetted, licensed local installers. If a battery isn’t right for your home, I’ll tell you.
How I get paid: if you buy, the installer pays me a fee for the introduction. You never pay me, and it doesn’t change your price. That’s why I can afford to tell you when not to buy.
Serving Chicagoland & Northern Illinois
FAQ
Straight answers
How do you get paid?
Honestly: if you decide to buy, the licensed installer pays us a fee for bringing you to them. You never pay us anything, and our fee doesn't change your price. That's exactly why we'll tell you when a battery isn't worth it for your home. A happy neighbor who trusts us is worth more than one sale.
When is a battery NOT the right choice?
If you rarely lose power and just want lower bills, solar alone or simple efficiency upgrades may make more sense. If you regularly face week-long outages, have natural gas and want to run central AC, a standby generator can be the better fit. If you're moving in a year or two, a long contract or a big purchase may not pay off. We'll tell you which of these applies to you.
Do you also help with generators?
Yes. For some homes (long outages, natural gas, central AC) a standby generator is the better choice, and we work with licensed generator installers too. We'll compare a generator, a battery and solar for your home side by side.
I rent. Can I still get backup power?
Yes. Portable power stations need no installation and can keep phones, Wi-Fi, lights, a CPAP or even a fridge running for hours. See our guide for renters.
Is the Backup Power Check really free?
Yes, the 15-minute check is free and there's no obligation. If you decide you want a battery or solar, you'll get a written quote from a licensed installer with every cost spelled out.
Do I need solar panels to get a battery?
No. A battery can charge from the grid and keep your essentials running during an outage. Solar lets it recharge during a long outage and can lower your bill the rest of the year.
Will a battery run my whole house?
It depends on battery size and what you run. Most homes back up essentials: fridge, furnace fan, sump pump, lights and Wi-Fi. Central AC and electric heat need a much bigger system. Try the calculator above, then we'll give you exact numbers.
Battery or generator: which is better?
Generators run as long as you have fuel but are loud, need maintenance and do nothing for your bill. Batteries are silent and automatic, work with solar, and qualify for Illinois incentives, but are limited by capacity. If you get week-long outages and have natural gas, a standby generator can make sense. We'll tell you honestly.
Is there still a 30% federal tax credit for homeowners?
Not for homeowners buying a system after 2025; the federal residential credit ended. Be careful with anyone who says otherwise. Illinois still has storage and solar incentive programs; your quote will show which apply to you.
What about battery subscriptions?
Some companies install a battery for a small upfront fee and sell you electricity under a multi-year agreement. That can be a good fit for some homes. Read the contract length, exit fees and who owns the equipment. We'll compare it with owning your own battery, side by side.
Who actually installs the system?
A licensed, insured Illinois installer that we vet. You'll see their license, warranty and reviews before you sign anything. We never do door-to-door sales.
Are you connected to ComEd, Ameren or the State?
No. We are an independent company and are not affiliated with ComEd, Ameren, the State of Illinois, or the Illinois Shines program. You will continue to receive a bill from your utility.
Free Backup Power Check
Know your plan before the next storm.
- 2 minutes to tell us about your home, then a 15-minute call at a time that suits you.
- What a battery would run in your home, for how long, and what it costs after incentives.
- No obligation, no pressure. If it’s not right for you, we’ll say so.