A hybrid system pairs a battery with a generator. The battery handles the instant, seamless switchover—your clocks don't reset, your WiFi doesn't blink, your home office call doesn't drop. The generator provides unlimited runtime on natural gas. Together, they create backup power that has no gaps and no limits. It's the "belt and suspenders" approach, and for a certain type of Texas homeowner, it's the only option that makes sense.
Every backup technology has a weakness. Batteries run out. Generators have a 10-30 second startup gap. A hybrid system eliminates both weaknesses by combining both technologies into a single, coordinated system.
Instant switchover in milliseconds. Powers the home immediately with zero interruption. Handles short outages entirely on its own.
Unlimited runtime on natural gas. Takes over for extended outages and recharges the battery. Provides whole-home power indefinitely.
Think of it this way: The battery is the first responder—fast, silent, immediate. The generator is the cavalry—powerful, unlimited, ready for the long haul. Neither has to do the job it's bad at.
Here's exactly what happens during an outage when you have a hybrid system.
Storm, ERCOT load shedding, transformer failure—the power goes out.
In milliseconds. Your home never loses power. Not even for a blink.
Battery powers everything. If it's a short outage, the generator never needs to start.
If battery drops to threshold, the generator starts and powers home + recharges battery.
System automatically switches back. Generator stops. Battery recharges from grid. Done.
The 10-30 second gap that generators have? Gone. Your battery bridges it instantly. Clocks don't reset, computers don't reboot, security cameras don't go dark. The outage is invisible to everything in your home.
The capacity limitation that batteries have? Gone. Your generator provides power for as long as the outage lasts—days, weeks, it doesn't matter. And it keeps your battery charged too, so if the generator cycles off, the battery is ready.
Modern hybrid systems don't just coexist—they coordinate. The system decides when to use battery, when to start the generator, when to recharge, and when to switch back to grid. You set your preferences once and forget about it.
These are real-world configurations our installers commonly deploy in Texas homes. Prices include all equipment and installation.
Homes that want seamless switchover with unlimited backup for essentials.
The battery handles instant switchover and powers your home for the first few hours. If the outage extends, the generator kicks in automatically and can also recharge the battery. Best for 2,000-3,000 sq ft homes.
Large homes that refuse to compromise on anything—ever.
Dual batteries provide 12-24 hours of whole-home backup independently. The generator provides indefinite runtime when needed and keeps batteries topped off. Full coverage for 3,000-5,000 sq ft homes with dual AC systems.
The ultimate setup. Solar recharges batteries daily, generator as final backstop.
FranklinWH's smart panel manages solar, battery, generator, and grid seamlessly. Solar recharges batteries during the day, generator activates only when batteries are low and sun is down. Includes the 30% federal tax credit on solar and battery components.
Every home is different. These are starting points. Our free assessment recommends the exact configuration for your home, your power needs, and your budget. Take the 3-minute assessment →
Each solves the other's weakness. Batteries switch over in milliseconds (generators take 10-30 seconds), so you never lose power—not even for a moment. No clocks to reset, no computers rebooting, no WiFi dropping. But batteries have limited capacity. A generator provides unlimited runtime on natural gas but has that brief switchover gap. Together, you get instant switchover AND unlimited runtime. It's the difference between 'good backup' and 'you literally cannot tell the power went out.'
Our free assessment takes 3 minutes and gives you an honest recommendation. If you don't need hybrid, we'll tell you that.
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