Everything about Sump Pump Battery Backup for Flood Protection

Flood risk across Canada is increasing with every passing year, according to experts. The rise in global temperature and other climate concerns have made floods the most frequent natural disaster in Canada.

2 in 10 homes in Canada are at flood risk without even knowing. Since sump pumps remove extra water from crawl spaces and basements, they are among the finest methods of preventing flooding in homes.

However, you cannot trust the sump pump alone because it can malfunction or stop working during power outages. In such a scenario, you will require a battery backup sump pump system that offers backup power and a pumping system for added protection.

An excellent example is Jackery’s solar generator for house. Therefore, this guide will detail the sump pump battery backup and how it can protect from floods.

Basic Preparations for Addressing Flood Risks

Since floods in Canada are becoming more dangerous and frequent, almost all Canadian homes need to make essential preparations for flood risks. Especially for Canadians living in areas prone to flooding, preparations beforehand are crucial.

Below are some essential steps you can take to mitigate the impacts of flood:

1. Check Around the House for Signs of  Water Damage

Perform a thorough assessment of your house and look for cracks or leaks on the floors, walls, and ceilings. Try to fix all such issues in your house, as the water flow during flooding can further damage the structure and weaken the house. 

Even after flooding, check around the house again and look for signs of water damage. Since flooding is becoming a recurring natural disaster, you need to fix issues timely to remain prepared for emergencies.

2. Turn Off the Basement Furnaces and the Outside Gas Valve

If your house is designed such that the water can enter the basement, then there is a high chance that it can ignite with the gas to cause fire or other damage. Therefore, ensure you have turned off the basement furnaces and outside gas valves. 

However, if you smell gas or hissing noise, then immediately leave the house and call the gas company or the relevant helpline for assistance.

3. Relocate Furniture and Electrical Appliances to Higher Floors

Water poses a threat to furniture and electrical appliances. Electrical appliances are susceptible to water, as a few drops of water can damage them permanently.  

Therefore, it is recommended to relocate furniture and electrical appliances from the basement and even the ground floor to higher floors that are safe from flood water. Besides that, you can even use waterproof containers to store valuable documents and equipment.

4. Equip with Sump Pump Battery Backup System

The primary sump pump’s central role is to prevent basement flooding by expelling water outdoors and typically relies on grid power.

However, scenarios like power outages during floods, float switch malfunctions, or sump pump overloads can occur. That’s where having a sump pump battery backup system, like a solar generator for the house, becomes indispensable.

A sump pump battery backup system comprises a secondary pump, battery, additional piping, an alarm, check valve, and other essential components.

This system can automatically activate when the primary pump fails or struggles to manage the water level. It operates on a battery, ensuring the continuous removal of excess water even during power outages.

The Key Role of Battery Backup Systems

A battery backup system is not only crucial to power the backup sump pump but can also power the primary sump pump when the grid supply is unavailable. It ensures that the sump pump continues to operate continuously and pumps out the water without waiting for the grid power to be restored. 

In short, a home battery backup for a sump pump gives peace of mind that you have a reliable backup power source in emergencies. This way, you can save significant costs in terms of water damage or other structural repairs after the flood. 

At this point, it’s clear that a battery backup sump pump is indispensable for Canadians residing in flood-prone regions. However, the primary concern revolves around determining the appropriate size for the battery backup system.

You require a system that can efficiently pump the necessary volume of floodwater and operate for the expected duration. Hence, we’ve identified crucial factors to take into account when sizing your battery backup system:

1. Pump Capacity

If you are installing a complete battery backup sump pump system, which includes both a battery and a secondary pump, it is crucial to take the pump capacity into account.

Pump capacity refers to the amount of water the sump pump can pump per minute or hour and is typically measured in gallons per minute (GPM) or gallons per hour (GPH). For example, a sump pump with a capacity of 20 GPM can discharge 20 gallons of water per minute.

When selecting a backup sump pump, it is essential to choose one that matches or exceeds the pumping capacity of the primary pump to ensure the backup system can handle the same volume of water flow.  Additionally, consideration should be given to the physical size of the pump to ensure it fits within the sump pit.

As for the battery, its capacity should align with the power requirements of the pump. A larger sump pump demands more power, necessitating a larger battery capacity to provide the required power supply. Therefore, the primary factor to address when sizing the battery backup system is determining the pump capacity and the requisite power from the battery.

2. Discharge Rate

The battery’s discharge rate, measured in amps (A), indicates how quickly the battery discharges when providing the necessary power to the sump pump. For example, a 500 Ah capacity battery with a discharge rate of 25 A will reach its cut-off voltage in 20 hours, meaning it can supply power for 20 hours.

A higher discharge rate implies the battery will deplete its energy more rapidly. Therefore, another critical factor to take into account when sizing a battery backup sump pump system is the discharge rate.

The battery’s discharge rate should align with the sump pump’s power requirements, ensuring that the battery can supply the necessary power to sustain the sump pump operation for extended periods during emergencies.

3. Expected Runtime

Another crucial consideration when sizing the battery backup system is the expected runtime, which indicates how long a battery can power the sump pump.

To determine the expected runtime, take into account the power consumption requirement of the sump pump. This information is typically available in the manufacturer’s specifications. For example, if your pump requires 5 A to operate, and you have a 100Ah capacity battery, your sump pump can run continuously for 20 hours.

Therefore, the initial step involves checking the power consumption of the sump pump and estimating the required operation duration. Based on this assessment, you can select a battery backup with the appropriate capacity to ensure the backup pump remains operational during an extended flood event.

The Best Battery Backup for Sump Pump for Canadian Homes

If you search for “battery backup sump pump,” you will have many options. However, you should pick the best and most reliable battery backup system that can guarantee operation during flood emergencies. We wholeheartedly recommend Jackery’s portable solar generator, especially the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro and Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro.

1. Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro is a 2160Wh battery capacity and 2200W power output solar generator that is chargeable through solar panels, AC wall charging, and DC port. 

It comes with SolarSaga 100W solar panels, so you can quickly charge the battery with solar panels and get continuous power even with no grid supply for days. This way, you can continuously power the sump pump without worrying about discharge rate, lasting time, etc.

The best advantage of Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro is its ultra-fast charging. Using an AC adapter, you can fully recharge the battery to its full capacity from 0% in a mere 2 hours, while with solar panels, it will take 5 hours to achieve the same.

All the key features of Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro are listed below:

The above features of Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro reflect it as an ideal battery backup for the sump pump. It can ensure long-lasting performance, fast recharging, ultra-long standby, and top-notch safety that you need in emergencies. Simply put, Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro truly represents what a battery backup sump pump means.

2. Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

Suppose you require extended hours of backup power supply for a larger pump capacity. In that case, you can opt for the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro, an enhanced version of the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro, equipped with advanced features and capabilities.

The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro boasts an impressive 3024Wh battery capacity and a 3000W power output, enabling sustained power to virtually any sump pump capacity for extended periods. Besides the massive battery, it is chargeable in just 2.4 hours with an AC adapter and 6-7.5 hours with solar panels. 

It comes with a fully upgraded Battery Management System (BMS) that ensures safety from a wide range of issues, such as short circuits, overvoltage, overloading, overheating, etc.

All the key features of Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro are listed below:

Overall, Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is a complete and potent battery backup for the sump pump. Its multiple outputs can not only power the sump pump but can also be used to power 99% of essential home appliances. Therefore, Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is the best home battery backup during floods or other emergencies.

Conclusion:

Considering the alarming situation of sudden flooding in Canada, it is clear from the above discussion that purchasing a backup battery collector pump is an essential means of flood preparedness for every Canadian household.

So, if you are also planning to install a home battery backup system for the sump pump, Jackery’s solar generators are your best companion. They offer the high capacity, fast solar-based charging, and portability you need for a backup pump.

So, explore the Jackery solar generators to find the ideal battery backup system for a sump pump. 

References

1. The risk of floods. Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/flood-ready/know-the-risks/risk-floods.html (Accessed 1^st November 2023)