The EcoFlow Delta Pro, accompanied by its sleek trolley accessory?
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Battery and Inverter Unit is now available for $6,299, while our base model is priced at $1,899.
- The sole unit boasts a 6 kWh capacity, supporting a 7,200 W output and 5.6 kW of photovoltaic input, enabling it to power an entire home, even when combined with additional units for increased capabilities.
- While the Delta Professional Extreme’s high price tag may deter some buyers, its potential drawbacks include its considerable weight, which could impact portability.
A whole-home energy backup system is an essential investment for many individuals, especially those living in areas prone to frequent natural disasters such as hurricanes? If you’re considering a switch to solar power, a backup system could be a suitable option for you, especially if you want to ensure a continuous energy supply in the event of an outage, or simply reduce your electricity bill by generating your own power.
Growing up in a rapidly developing country situated squarely in the Caribbean, I became accustomed to regular power outages as a normal part of life. Growing up, energy outages were a regular occurrence, whether triggered by hurricanes or broader economic factors, so when I decided to relocate to eastern North Carolina, obtaining a home backup system was imperative.
I initially felt fortunate when I learned that the house my husband and I purchased came equipped with a generator, but my enthusiasm was short-lived as we soon discovered it was nonfunctional. Over the past two years since migrating to this location, we’ve experienced multiple extended power outages lasting several hours, underscoring the importance of having a reliable backup power system in place.
During sweltering summer months, navigating power outages with three young children can be daunting, making the quest for a reliable whole-home energy backup system an urgent priority. I was thus enthusiastic when I set out to test the Delta Pro Extreme.
As soon as I purchased the Delta Professional Extremely and Sensible Dwelling Panel 2, we promptly arranged for a licensed electrician to handle the installation process. The installation of the subpanel, disconnecting the standby residence generator, and setting up the 100-amp service wire to the subpanel required approximately eight to ten hours’ work from two licensed electricians.
The EcoFlow Delta Professional Extremely & Sensible Dwelling Panel 2 as put in in my storage.
Since its introduction, the EcoFlow Delta Professional has proven to be a reliable and efficient power source in our home, consistently delivering steady performance across various testing scenarios, including simulated power outages.
This versatile and portable power solution has earned a reputation as the ultimate residential backup tool, much like the iconic Swiss Army Knife. Batteries can be charged through various methods, including alternating current (AC) energy, photovoltaic panels, and fuel-based turbines. Utilize the DPU with existing rooftop solar panels or versatile solar panels, allowing you to potentially remain off-grid for extended periods and continuously charge your EcoFlow Delta Pro with solar power. The DPU allows a maximum of 16.8 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of photovoltaic input, enabling the connection of up to 42 units of 400-watt solar panels.
You could potentially offset the cost of your DPU by utilizing it during peak energy hours, thereby reducing your energy bill with minimal effort. The EcoFlow app empowers users to strategize energy usage by scheduling the battery to assume control during peak hours, automatically reverting to grid power at night when costs are lower.
The seamless energy switchover was validated through rigorous testing, as the Delta Smart Home Panel 2 successfully executed a fully automated whole-home switch-over, verifying EcoFlow’s claims. Severe weather conditions prompted several school districts to cancel classes and employers to instruct employees to work from home, prompting a thorough test of the Distributed Power Unit (DPU) and Smart Panel 2.
When the EcoFlow app detected the impending storm, it automatically activated the Sensible Panel 2’s emergency preparation mode, and subsequently notified us as soon as our backup power kicked in.
As the initial storms struck our home, the lights started to fluctuate, prompting us to prepare for a potential power outage. We were well aware of the possibility of an outage, having received alerts from our power supplier and experiencing power failures during significant storms in the past two years.
The EcoFlow app verified that the Sensible Dwelling Panel 2 had proactively prepared for the impending storm, ensuring its battery was fully charged in anticipation of potential power outages. The power outage lasted approximately 20 minutes during the tempestuous weather conditions. Notwithstanding the sudden loss of power, the EcoFlow Delta Pro and Delta Extremely panels transitioned to backup mode with ease, their seamless operation going unnoticed until several minutes into the brief outage.
The Sensible Dwelling Panel 2 boasts extensive circuit-level control, enabling us to effectively utilize each panel to ensure seamless backup from the Delta Professional Extreme during outages, guaranteeing uninterrupted power supply at home. As our existing 3,000-square-foot, two-story residence is powered by dual air conditioning compressors and furnaces, we encountered an issue loading the DPU with the entire property.
We confirmed that the replacement devices were powered through a power outage, covering essential appliances such as refrigerators, kitchen counters, storage spaces, downstairs lighting, the upstairs heating system, a mid-sized refrigerator, and four bedrooms with bathrooms.
Ensuring a consistent nighttime routine for our children during energy outages, allowing for peaceful slumber without disruptions; further enabling us to cook meals uninterrupted and guaranteeing a seamless transition where even Wi-Fi connectivity remains unaffected.
Despite its integration with the Smart Home Panel 2’s storage, the EcoFlow Delta Professional is not limited to serving as a home backup system only? Despite the inconvenience, we’ll relocate the portable power source to the yard for powering essential equipment or to the driveway to energize the vacuum and carpet cleaners during thorough vehicle cleaning.
While the Delta Professional Extreme’s combined weight of 186 pounds (battery and inverter) may be substantial, if you have a suitable vehicle or trailer setup, this impressive power solution would undoubtedly enhance any camping adventure.
Because EcoFlow allows for stacking, you can potentially power up to 90kWh of essential household appliances for over a month, making it an ideal solution for extended off-grid excursions or emergency preparedness situations.
You can configure up to five DPU battery stacks under a single inverter, or combine three stacks using the Sensible Dwelling Panel 2. Every prices $2,599.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
However, the biggest drawback of ‘s product line is undoubtedly its steep initial investment cost. While traditional turbines for whole-home backup systems can be costly, including subsequent maintenance costs, investing in such a system can yield significant long-term financial savings, especially when paired with solar panels.
The DPU necessitates zero maintenance and can operate safely indoors, with its lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery and cooling system ensuring optimal temperature control.
This whisper-quiet resolution operates silently, a remarkable feat considering its near-silence at volumes under 2,000W – a stark contrast to our generator, whose rumble can be heard from blocks away when activated.
The diverse applications for the DPU include: installing a solar panel system at your home featuring photovoltaic panels that can be placed anywhere, serving as a power source for an RV or off-grid cabin, and connecting to your property’s manual transfer switch.
