UPS battery prices vary for several reasons. Knowing the prices and the factors that influence them upfront can make planning an installation project seamless.
In this guide, you’ll learn the origin of UPS systems and batteries, plus the transformative journey they’ve undergone to become the highly efficient machines they are today. We’ve also included the price comparisons between the traditional and modern models to give you an idea of the cost of installing a UPS unit.
Understanding The Historical Context of UPS Systems & Batteries
Before the discovery of UPS systems in the early 1930s, there was nothing people could do to manage power fluctuations. No matter the kind of business one was running, the only option was to wait until the interruption was fixed.
From the first entry in the 1930s to the 1960s and then the 80s, UPS systems underwent incredible improvements. But despite the massive advancements in technology, early UPS units still lagged in many aspects. First, the systems weren’t portable since they were large and also very heavy. The early versions of UPS units also lacked desirable runtimes, making them quite limited in use.
Then because of technological limitations, developing the electronics for the early UPS versions was cumbersome and more expensive than the modern ones. This resulted in units that were pricier and not as effective as anyone would expect.
The Most Common Types of UPS Batteries
In this section, we’ve addressed the three most common categories a UPS battery may fall into. We’ve done our classification based on the underlying battery technology to provide you with all the vital information you need when buying a UPS unit. Let’s take a quick overview.
1. Lead-Acid Batteries
Lead-acid batteries have come a long way, as they were among the earliest forms to be developed and manufactured. As a result, you’ll find most UPS systems using Lead-acid battery packs even though their popularity has been fading away quickly lately.
As common with other forms of technology, Lead-acid batteries have undergone several finetuning missions to meet the end-user demands that have gotten more complex with time. This saw a gradual shift from the less robust plated cell designs to the modern and more energy-efficient tubular technology we have today.
Notable features of Lead-acid accumulators include;
- Larger Sizes
- Heavyweight
- Use of an Electrolyte (An electrolyte is a medium (Gell or LIquid) that is added into Lead-acid battery packs to facilitate generation and flow of current)
The price of a Lead-acid battery depends on numerous factors. However, you’ll need from around 100USD to 450USD to get a Lead-acid UPS battery. (Please note that we’ve discussed the factors influencing UPS battery prices in detail in the next section).
Now considering the above price range, you can see that lead-based UPS batteries are generally more affordable to acquire, thus lowering the initial cost of installation. Unfortunately, you will have to keep checking the electrolyte level and topping it up whenever necessary using distilled water.
The other downside of Lead-acid batteries is their limited lifespan of only 3 to 5 years. This means a Lead-based UPS will need more battery replacements within a given period. This, together with the needed regular maintenance, increases the total cost of owning a UPS system that uses a Lead-acid battery.
Finally, Lead-acid UPS batteries are large and weigh several pounds. As a result, you’ll find them unsuitable for small spaces or mobile uses such as to power devices during outdoor events or in smaller marine vessels.
2. Lithium-Iron Batteries
Lithium Iron (LiFePO4) batteries are the most recent and most advanced option. They have several advantages over their Lead-acid counterparts. Some notable characteristics of LiFePO4 batteries include;
- More compact design
- Lightweight
- High thermal and chemical stability, and
- Excellent performance
Lithium Iron batteries address the challenges associated with most energy systems quite differently. One of their key benefits is the ability to deliver large amounts of power within a short time, something impossible with their Lead-acid counterparts. For example, you can use your LiFePO4 UPS to power energy-intensive devices such as electrical cookers and water heaters without any issues.
Lithium Iron batteries are ideal for energy-intensive applications because they can deliver more energy at a given time, and can also withstand faster rates of discharge popular with heavy devices such as water heaters and cookers.
Apart from top-notch performance, LiFePO4 batteries boast incredibly portable and flexible designs. That means you can carry them seamlessly from one point to the next since they’re lighter and smaller in size compared to corresponding Lead-based battery sizes.
Then we cannot forget to acknowledge the durability of Lithium-based UPS batteries. They can undergo several charge/recharge cycles before their capacity drops to 85% of the total. In general, you can use a Lithium Iron battery UPS for up to 10 years before requiring a replacement. A LiFePO4 UPS battery will cost you anywhere from 300$ to 1500$ depending on its capacity and other factors.
3. Other Battery Types
There are other UPS battery options apart from the usual Lead-acid accumulators or Lithium-ion batteries. The only difference is that you’re less likely to come across them because of some serious limitations. The two main alternatives to Lithium or Lead-acid accumulators are Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) or Nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries.
The NiCd battery packs are generally tolerant to very high or low temperatures and they can also withstand excessive charging without recording any damage. This shows that NiCd batteries are the perfect option for UPS systems that operate under extreme temperature environments, and those without robust battery management mechanisms to handle issues like overcharging safely.
When compared to NiCd, NiMH batteries are more friendly to the environment and are a good option for environmental conservation. However, they exhibit lower efficiencies making them unideal in UPS installations where reliability is key.
A NiMH battery pack is slightly costier than an equivalent Lead-acid option but cheaper than a corresponding Lithium Iron battery option. You don’t see a lot of UPS systems that use them due to their relatively higher prices but with poor performance and energy efficiency.
The Primary Factors Influencing UPS Battery Prices
There are some factors that dictate the cost of various UPS batteries, and the following are the most crucial ones.
Capacity & Power Ratings
A UPS battery with higher power(VA) and capacity(Wh) ratings can operate many appliances at once, and it can also run them for longer periods before hitting the cutoff voltage. So, UPS batteries with higher power specifications and capacities cost more than those with relatively lower ratings. Always go for a battery that matches your power demands to ensure smooth operations and maximum reliability.
Brand Reputation & Quality
Well-known UPS battery manufacturers such as Goldenmate always produce top-notch quality batteries because of their robust understanding of the underlying technology. Such brands also have a reputation to keep and there’s no way they’re ever going to give you a UPS battery that cannot fulfill your needs.
So, because reputable brands usually offer the best quality and warranty terms on any battery pack they let go to the market, you’ll probably pay more for their products. But even so, such UPS batteries are always more rewarding in the long run due to their durability and lower maintenance costs.
Warranty & Support
A manufacturer or brand that offers lengthy warranties has great confidence in the quality and reliability of its UPS battery. Therefore, such UPS batteries tend to be generally more expensive than those with minimal warranties.
For example, a Lithium-based battery with a 10-year warranty would definitely cost more than one with 5-7 years of warranty. The inclusion of robust support and after-sales services also raises the initial price of a UPS battery as such provisions minimize the total long-term costs.
Market Trends & Demands
Market trends and demands are another major price determinant when it comes to UPS batteries. That means anything that affects supply and demand will directly affect the prices as well.
For instance, rainy seasons usually cause rampant outages, which increases the demand for UPS systems. This will, therefore, lead to a corresponding rise in UPS battery prices and vice versa.
Cost Comparisons
Before we wind everything up, we would like to share some insights regarding UPS battery prices with you, as below.
Budget-Friendly Vs. Premium UPS Battery Options
UPS batteries are available in various options, so you can choose the models that match your specifications. That’s where the budget-friendly and premium options come in. Lead-acid accumulators fall in the budget-friendly group because they cost less. But as we’ve already said, you will spend relatively more cash on maintenance and replacements, usually every 3 to 5 years.
Lithium-ion batteries, on the other hand, fall into the premium category that costs more to buy but lasts longer before needing a replacement. The duration can range between 8 and 10 years. Besides a longer lifespan, Lithium-based UPS batteries aren’t maintenance-intensive, which adds significantly to their minimal total cost of ownership.
Among the most popular UPS battery models are the GoldenMate 12v 100Ah LiFePO4 battery, which costs about $195, and the CyberPower 12v 7Ah Lead-acid accumulator, which costs about $150.
Long-Term Value Analysis
Long-term value analysis captures all the costs from purchase to disposal. We’ve noted that the premium options cost more initially but almost nothing afterward. The premium UPS batteries, therefore, boast a lower total cost of ownership. That means they have a high initial cost but very minimal maintenance and long-term costs.
On the contrary, budget-friendly UPS battery options cost less to purchase but require more attention and maintenance afterward. This makes them more expensive in the long run since you’ll have to maintain them regularly and do a replacement every 5 years on the highest side.
Key Takeaways
There weren’t fancy and more efficient UPS systems in the past until the 1980s when modern and more efficient models emerged. Batteries with more capacity were also developed and manufactured, making UPS units more reliable.
Today, we have budget-friendly UPS systems that bear low initial price tags but with huge long-term costs. On the other side, the premium options come with huge initial price tags but promise lower maintenance costs in the long term. Always assess your needs upfront to make the correct choice.
