I used this EcoFlow battery to run my 3,000-sq-ft home in a blackout – here's how it kept my AC on

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It’s easy to let stress take over when your home’s lights go out, especially during a storm. There’s a certain level of comfort when you know you’re covered by backup power, but the success of this approach hinges on how you manage said power.

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I’ve tested multiple power stations as home backup batteries, but EcoFlow powers the best system I’ve used: the Delta Pro Ultra X (DPUX) and Smart Home Panel 3 (SHP 3). To say that this system is an upgrade on others is a downright understatement. 

How the full home backup system works

EcoFlow pulled out all the stops with the SHP 3, starting by increasing the circuit count from 12 to 32. While the older SHP 2 served as a partial backup and critical load panel, the SHP 3 is here to replace your existing panel and works as a gateway for energy monitoring and home backup management. 

Compared to SHP 2’s 100A support for essential appliances, SHP 3 also supports up to 200A, allowing it to handle large loads. A couple of years ago, I had the SHP 2 replace a backup panel that used to control a generator at home, so only a few essential circuits were available when the power went out. 

The SHP 3’s larger capacity, however, allowed me to replace our home’s main panel. I kept the SHP 2, since removing it and folding its circuits into the SHP 3 would only increase installation costs. 

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Having the SHP 3 and the powerful DPUX for home backup means I can finally have my large load-bearing items in my backup system, like the two A/C units and the oven. 

How the DPUX worked during a power outage

When the power went out twice during the hot southern days in March, I was more than grateful for the upgraded backup system. 

Heat and humidity are no joke in the southern US. We go from mild winters to summers and then back again, skipping the kindness of spring and fall almost entirely. Unfortunately, I also live in an area that experiences several power outages a year, so having a whole-home backup system isn’t uncommon in my neighborhood. 

The SHP 3, with the newer EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra X, is a system that has run my entire 3,000-square-foot house during an outage as if the grid had never gone down. Compared to the older DPU, the DPUX works as a home battery system, a backup generator, and a smart energy manager. 

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The DPUX has a scalable power output of 12kW-36kW, a capacity of 12kWh-180kWh, and solar input of up to 10kW. This capability means the DPUX can run everything in your home at once, including large loads like your HVAC and EV charger, and keep your home running for days — not hours. 

This system’s switchover speed is outstanding compared to others I’ve tested. At under 20ms, I don’t even notice a flicker in my lights when the power went out. 

The one thing that can improve

The only thing I wish could be improved is the EcoFlow app. The app has gotten a lot cooler and more visually appealing over the past two years, but EcoFlow has sacrificed the user experience for flashy visuals.

The company has put a lot of attention on the landing page’s layout, which looks very good, but navigating away from that area leaves you wanting more intuitive options to control your devices and circuits. It takes a while to learn your way around the app and figure out how to control your settings. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

At full capacity, the Delta Pro Ultra X and Smart Home Panel 3 system can run your home as normal for almost a week, and much longer if you’re careful about your energy management. You can use the EcoFlow app to set up high- and low-priority circuits, which automatically switch off the latter when the battery drops below a set percentage. 

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I like to control my circuits manually because my kids have different needs during the day. During an outage, I review the circuits in the app and turn off the unnecessary ones. For example, I switch off the bedrooms during the day and back on at night, when the kids use their sound machines, night lights, and fans. 

This type of management extends the life of my backup battery during an outage and is extremely helpful for pinpointing energy vampires at any other time. 

Why the Delta Pro Ultra X gets an Editors’ Choice award

The EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra X is a ZDNET Editors’ Choice award winner because it is a scalable, DIY-friendly whole-home battery backup solution. Compared to its biggest competitors, which require an extensive installation process, the DPUX is modular and relatively quick to set up, even if you add a Smart Home Panel 3. 

The full system reduces the installation process from months to about a week — all while offering a full-home backup system with solar and energy savings potential, not just a survival option during outages.