Challenge
- Sky faced volatile energy bills (up to $1,000/month in winter) and unreliable grid power, compounded by his unpredictable ER shifts that required automatic, unattended backup.
- Installer Boston Solar previously struggled with complex, multi-box systems that increased installation time, wiring errors, commissioning delays, and post installation support.
Solution
- Sky chose the FranklinWH System (one aGate + one aPower S) for energy storage, grid-consumption reduction, and seamless automatic outage backup.
Results
- Sky’s monthly electric bill dropped from $1,000 to $34, with unnoticeable outage transitions and remote monitoring providing peace of mind during long shifts.
- Boston Solar delivered a reliable, low-maintenance system with rapid commissioning, strengthening long-term value for the homeowner.
Unpredictable Costs and Critical Reliability
As an ER physician working intensely, with unpredictable shifts ranging from early mornings to overnight, Sky craved a sanctuary. When he purchased his rural home, he was seeking tranquility and a break from the relentless activity of the hospital. However, his peace of mind was soon disrupted by volatile energy costs.
"The electric bill during the summer was about $200 a month," Sky explains. "During the winter, it could go as high as $1,000 a month."
Beyond the financial strain, Sky wanted to reduce his dependence on the grid and ensure reliable power for his home, regardless of extreme weather or the outages that often follow. With his irregular schedule, he needed a reliable system that could provide automatic backup, allowing his home to keep powered even when he wasn't there to manage it.
The FranklinWH System: A Streamlined Solution with Proven Reliability
Sky chose the FranklinWH System with one aGate and one aPower S, allowing him to store energy, reduce daily grid consumption, and maintain automatic backup power during outages.
The system's streamlined architecture immediately stood out to the installation team. Instead of the three to five equipment boxes typically required, FranklinWH consolidated the design into two major units. As Stephen, the president of Boston solar, described: "FranklinWH is one of those products that really wows you once you've been in the industry for a long time. The FranklinWH System is much smoother and simpler to install, very streamlined. Only two pieces of equipment where other systems have three to five."
Commissioning was equally straightforward. "They turned on completely without issue," Stephen said, describing the process as intuitive and "one of the fastest commissionings that I've ever seen in my 20-year career in the energy industry."
The system’s rapid shutdown devices further enhanced reliability for the new solar and storage system. Their compact, lightweight design simplified rooftop solar installation, while the dual-circuit redundancy allows the system to continue solar generation if one circuit encounters open-circuit failures, reducing single-point failures.
For Sky, the FranklinWH System also offered a level of visibility he had not expected. The FranklinWH App automatically transitions the home to backup power during an outage and alerts him in real time. The transition is so seamless that he would otherwise be unaware that it happened.
Long-Term Value and Peace of Mind
The financial impact has been substantial. After installing the FranklinWH System, Sky's most recent electric bill dropped to just $34, a dramatic reduction from the $200 monthly bills he once faced during summer. "The reduction in your electric bill is phenomenal," he said.
Beyond the savings, Sky also gained greater energy freedom and reliable backup protection. The transition to stored energy during grid outages is seamless enough that there is no noticeable interruption to his daily life. For someone working long and unpredictable ER shifts, automatic backup and remote visibility provide greater peace of mind that his home remains powered while he is away. "I'm all about kind of being off the grid," he said, "so the solar panel and the battery have really allowed me to get closer and closer to achieving that."
For Boston Solar, FranklinWH’s partnered installer, the project demonstrated the value of a system designed for simplicity and reliability. The equipment installed smoothly, required no troubleshooting, and delivered one of the fastest commissioning experiences the company had seen. Installer Jerry sees that value from the homeowner's perspective as well: "I enjoy it because it's satisfying. We're delivering an easy but robust solution that helps improve the environment while supplying safety and peace of mind to our customers."
Sky ultimately views the home energy management system as a long-term investment rather than simply an upfront expense. "If you're on the fence about making the next step and getting both solar and battery, I would say that it's seamless," he said, "even though it's an upfront cost, by default, that is the definition of an investment."
The reduction in electricity costs, seamless outage protection, streamlined installation, and reliability-focused system design provided both immediate benefits and the foundation for long-term economic benefits from Sky's investment in the FranklinWH System. For Boston Solar, it has demonstrated how simplified installation and engineered reliability can translate into lasting value for both installers and homeowners.
