Best Battery Size for Load-Shedding in South Africa
Not Sure What Battery Size You Need? Here’s How to Choose Based on Your Usage and Outage Duration.
Load-shedding in South Africa is unpredictable, frequent, and increasingly severe—making backup power essential. One of the most common questions we get at Lithium Batteries SA is: "What battery size do I need for load-shedding?" The answer depends on your usage, how long outages last, and the devices you want to power.
In this guide, we’ll help you understand the best lithium battery size for your needs—whether you live in a small apartment, run a busy home office, or manage a business.
Understanding Battery Size: What Does kWh Mean?
Battery size is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), which indicates how much energy the battery can store and deliver.
For example:
A 5kWh battery can power a 1kW load for 5 hours.
A 10kWh battery can power a 2kW load for 5 hours.
The more appliances you need to run, and the longer your load-shedding lasts, the bigger your battery should be.
Recommended Battery Sizes Based on Usage
Small Homes / Apartments
Recommended size: 3–5kWh
Power essentials like:
Lights
Wi-Fi router
TV
Laptop
Phone chargers
Perfect for Stage 2–4 load-shedding with short outages (2–4 hours).
Medium Homes / Work-from-Home Setups
Recommended size: 5–10kWh
Power essentials plus:
Fridge
Microwave
Computer setup
Security systems
Ideal for households that need to stay productive during extended outages.
Large Homes / Small Businesses
Recommended size: 10–15kWh
Power:
Multiple rooms
Larger appliances
POS systems
Internet and surveillance
Suitable for businesses or homes affected by Stage 4–6 load-shedding and longer outages.
Shops, Offices & Commercial Use
Recommended size: 15kWh and above
Power:
Office equipment
Backup servers
Lighting
Freezers or coolers
Network infrastructure
Critical for ensuring uptime during Stage 6–8 and multi-hour blackouts.
Factors That Affect Battery Sizing
When choosing a battery, consider:
Average load (how many devices and their wattage)
Duration of outages (2 hours vs. 10 hours)
Charging source (solar, Eskom, or both)
Expandable capacity (some systems can grow with your needs)
Battery Size Examples in Real Life
| Battery Size | Use Case | Typical Backup Time |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5kWh | Lights, Wi-Fi, TV | 4–6 hours |
| 5kWh | Home office + fridge | 4–8 hours |
| 10kWh | Medium home or shop | 6–12 hours |
| 15kWh+ | Business / full household | 10–24 hours |
Why LiFePO₄ Batteries Are Ideal for Load-Shedding
At Lithium Batteries SA, we recommend LiFePO₄ (Lithium Iron Phosphate) batteries because they offer:
Long lifespan (2,000–5,000+ cycles)
Safe indoor/outdoor use
High energy efficiency
Fast recharging between outages
Need Help Choosing the Right Size?
We’ll help you assess your load and recommend the ideal lithium battery system—whether you need:
A compact 3.5kWh wall-mounted unit for your flat
A scalable 10kWh system for solar integration
Or a commercial-grade backup for your business
Contact Us Today