Reliable Power for a Modern Home

Power is no longer a convenience — it’s essential. From remote work and home networking to refrigeration, medical devices, security systems, and climate control, today’s homes depend on electricity in ways they never did before.

At the same time, severe weather events are becoming more frequent, electrical grids are under increasing strain, and outages are happening more often — and lasting longer.

At Smartwire, we help homeowners take control of their power. We design and install complete home energy resilience solutions that keep your home running when the grid doesn’t — safely, reliably, and without guesswork.

Why Backup Power Matters More Than Ever

Modern homes place real, continuous demands on electrical systems:

• Home offices and always-on internet

• Refrigeration and food storage

• Heating, cooling, and air quality

• Medical devices and mobility equipment

• Security systems and smart home controls

• EV charging and high-load appliances

At the same time, power interruptions are increasingly driven by factors outside your control:

• Severe storms and extreme heat

• Aging grid infrastructure

• Rapid load growth from data centers and electrification

• Utility safety shutoffs and cascading outages

Backup power is no longer a “nice to have”, it’s now part of responsible home planning.

A Smarter Approach to Home Energy Resilience

There is no single “best” backup power solution. The right system depends on:

• How critical uninterrupted power is for your household

• How long you want to remain operational during an outage

• Noise, fuel, and space considerations

• Budget and future expansion plans

Smartwire starts with system design, not product selection. We listen first, evaluate your home’s electrical infrastructure, and then recommend a solution that fits — not one that’s oversized or unnecessary.

Backup Power Options (We Install Them All)

Home Battery Storage Systems

Home batteries provide clean, silent, automatic backup power for essential circuits or entire homes.

Ideal for homeowners who want:

• Instant, seamless power during outages

• Quiet operation with no emissions

• Minimal maintenance

• Smart monitoring and control

Smartwire is a certified installer for Tesla Energy and Fortress Power, and we design battery systems that integrate cleanly with your electrical panel and future solar plans.

Generac Whole-Home Standby Generators

Standby generators provide robust, long-duration backup power and automatically support the entire home.

Ideal for homeowners who want:

• Continuous power during extended outages

• Automatic operation without manual intervention

• A proven solution for high-load homes

Smartwire is a certified Generac installer, handling generator sizing, transfer switches, electrical integration, permitting, and inspections — all completed by licensed electricians.

Integrated Systems: Battery + Generator

For some homes, the most resilient solution combines both technologies.

Integrated systems allow:

• Silent, instant battery backup for short outages

• Generator support for long-duration events

• Reduced generator runtime and fuel consumption

• A flexible system that adapts as needs change

Smartwire designs these systems as a single, coordinated solution — not as disconnected components.

Portable Generator Connections: Reliable Backup Power Without the Cost of a Standby System

Portable generators paired with a professionally installed inlet and interlock kit provide a safe, affordable, and highly effective way to power essential circuits during an outage. This approach gives you control over what matters most—keeping your refrigerator cold, your internet running, your sump pump operational, and your lights on—without the upfront investment required for a permanently installed standby generator or battery system.

At Smartwire, we install code-compliant generator connections and panel interlock kits that allow your portable generator to safely power your home’s electrical panel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Smartwire a certified Tesla Powerwall installer in Richmond?

Yes. Smartwire is a Tesla Energy Certified Installer serving Richmond, Hanover, Henrico, Chesterfield, and surrounding Central Virginia counties. We are also a certified Generac installer and a certified Fortress Power installer, and all backup power systems are installed by our licensed electricians under our Class A electrical contractor license. Because we install batteries, standby generators, and integrated systems, we recommend the solution that fits your home rather than the one brand we happen to sell.

Should I choose a home battery or a Generac standby generator?

It depends on how long your outages last and what you need to keep running. A home battery like the Tesla Powerwall 3 provides instant, silent, emission-free backup and is ideal for keeping essentials running through outages lasting hours. A Generac standby generator runs on natural gas or propane and can power an entire home for days during extended outages. For maximum resilience, we design integrated systems that use the battery for instant, quiet backup and the generator for long-duration events. Our free home energy assessment sizes both options against your actual loads so you can compare real numbers.

How much does whole-home backup power cost in Richmond?

It varies by system type and home size. A professionally installed portable generator inlet and interlock kit is the most affordable entry point, typically $800 - $1,500. Home battery systems typically run $8,000 - $20,000 installed, and whole-home Generac standby generator projects typically run $12,000 - $23,000 including the transfer switch, gas coordination, permits, and inspection. Every Smartwire project is quoted as a fixed, upfront price after a free home energy assessment — no surprises.

Do I need solar panels to install a Tesla Powerwall?

No. A Powerwall can be installed as a standalone backup battery that charges from the grid — no solar required. If you already have solar or plan to add it later, we design the battery installation to integrate cleanly with it. Many of our Richmond-area customers install battery-only systems purely for outage protection.

Is there a federal tax credit for home battery backup in 2026?

The 30% federal Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) ended for systems placed in service after December 31, 2025, so most home batteries purchased outright in 2026 no longer qualify. Some third-party-ownership arrangements may still qualify for separate incentives. Incentive programs change frequently — we review what is currently available during your consultation, and we recommend confirming tax questions with your tax advisor. We never build expired incentives into a quote.

Do I need Dominion Energy approval to install a home battery in Virginia?

Yes. Dominion Energy requires an interconnection application for grid-connected home battery systems — even battery-only systems without solar. Smartwire handles the interconnection application, the county electrical permit, and the final inspection as part of every installation, so you don't have to navigate utility paperwork yourself.

How long does a backup power installation take?

Most home battery installations are completed in one to two days on site. Standby generator installations typically take one to two days of electrical work plus coordination of the gas connection. Total project timelines depend on permitting and utility processing, which we manage start to finish — we give you a schedule upfront and keep you informed at every step.

What can a backup power system keep running during an outage?

That's a design decision, and it's the first thing we work out with you. An essentials-only system keeps refrigeration, internet, lighting, a sump pump, and medical devices running. A whole-home system backs up everything, including HVAC. During our free home energy assessment we measure your panel and critical loads, then size the battery or generator so the system does exactly what you expect it to — nothing oversold, nothing undersized.

The Smartwire Design & Installation Process

1. Home Energy Assessment
   We evaluate your electrical panel, critical loads, outage concerns, and future plans.

2. Custom System Design
   Battery, generator, or integrated — properly sized, clearly explained, and quoted upfront.

3. Professional Installation
   Clean, code-compliant work performed by professional electricians.

4. Testing & Walkthrough
   We test your system and show you exactly how it works, so there are no surprises.

5. 12-Month Workmanship Warranty
   Every installation is backed by Smartwire, plus full manufacturer warranties.

Build the Right Backup Power Plan for Your Home

Whether you want:

• Silent battery backup

• A whole-home standby generator

• A portable generator for essential circuits

• Or a fully integrated energy resilience system

Smartwire will help you design a solution that fits — today and for the future.

Award Winning Team

Smartwire is a licensed, bonded, and insured Class A Electrical Contractor serving Hanover, Henrico, Chesterfield, King William, New Kent, Goochland, Louisa, Richmond, and surrounding areas since 1986. We are proud to hold an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau, and are consistently voted one of the top electricians in Richmond including being voted “Best Home Electrical Contractor” in Richmond by Richmond Magazine (R Home).