Battery safety and maintenance
Looking after your battery energy storage system
You can extend the life of your battery by keeping it clean, well-maintained and making sure you use it properly. A home energy management system, or similar app, can help to optimise your battery system and give it a longer lifespan.
Here’s how to keep your battery system in good condition.
Follow the installer’s guidance
When deciding on the number of batteries to install and how much power to store, you should follow your installer's guidance. Overloaded systems can be very dangerous. It is often better to buy batteries with more capacity than you think you need.
Your installer should provide any manufacturers’ manuals to help you identify problems.
Managing your depth of discharge
Depth of discharge is how much power you get out of your battery before it needs recharging. This is different for each battery. Your installer can tell you how best to charge your specific battery.
Cleaning and maintenance
Servicing by an accredited installer or other professional is recommended, although you may incur a cost. After the service, you might receive feedback on how your system is performing and what can be improved.
Check periodically that your battery is free from dirt, debris, insect and animal infestation.
Follow your user manual to clean the battery or contact the manufacturer for instructions.
Safety
Batteries are generally safe when installed and maintained correctly. Here are important safety items to consider when installing your battery system:
- Make sure there is enough space around the battery unit for access and ventilation.
- Batteries can't be installed in domestic habitable rooms in Australia, as stated by regulatory safety standards including Australian Standard AS/NZ 5139 2019.
- Position the battery away from potential hazards such as pools, taps, pipes and water features, access paths and vehicles.
- Ensure there are no flammable objects nearby.
- Ensure there are no objects that can conduct electricity nearby.
- Do not store anything on top of your battery.
- Ensure the area around the installation is clear of obstacles.
- You are responsible for maintaining your battery according to the installer guidelines.
- Put a fire safety plan in place, including the location of fire extinguishers and contact details for emergency services.
Problems with your battery system
Sometimes battery systems don’t perform as expected or completely malfunction. This could be due to faulty components, installation errors, environmental conditions or damage.
If your battery system has a problem, contact your installer first. A good installer will respond, figure out the problem, and fix or replace the cause.
Installers who are members of a consumer protection scheme must have good processes to deal with faults, problems and complaints. If your installer can’t help, contact the battery manufacturer directly.
There are legal protections for customers if manufacturers, retailers, or installers don’t meet their obligations. If the obligations are not being met, contact the Office of Fair Trading for advice.
What if an installer goes out of business?
Battery installers and retailers can go out of business leaving you with a warranty that cannot be honoured. Under Australian Consumer Law, product manufacturers are still required to honour warranties on their products.
Keep all information about your installation, including the manufacturers details for each product.
If the product manufacturer isn’t helping, contact the Office of Fair Trading for advice.