California Shutoff Backup Guide
PSPS Coming? What the EcoFlow TITAN 5000 Can Really Keep On
The EcoFlow TITAN 5000 is a 5 kilowatt-hour home battery you can expand to 30. It puts out 7,200 watts at 120/240 volts. For many California homes, it can back up selected essential circuits during a shutoff. It won't suit every home, so here's how to tell.
From $3,199 (check current price). Use code EFTITANAFF for 5% off at checkout.
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Quick Answers
Is the EcoFlow TITAN 5000 Right for Your California Home?
Is the EcoFlow TITAN 5000 worth it in California?
Yes, if you want shutoff backup for your essentials without a full installed system. If you want long whole-home coverage, a permanent battery fits better.
How much does the EcoFlow TITAN 5000 cost?
It starts at $3,199, so check the current price. Connecting it to home circuits adds the Smart Home Panel 10 and installation.
Does the EcoFlow TITAN 5000 qualify for California rebates?
No for PG&E's portable battery rebate, because it's over the 1 kilowatt-hour limit. Check other programs before you buy.
Which TITAN 5000 Fits Your California Home?
Start with what you need to run. All three start at about 5 kilowatt-hours and expand to 30. The biggest difference is power: the Classic runs 120-volt loads only, while the other two also handle 240 volts.
TITAN 5000 Classic
$2,499 (check current price)
A fit for smaller homes with no 240-volt essentials.
- 4,000 watts of output
- 120 volts only
- 3,200 watts of solar input
TITAN 5000
$3,199 (check current price)
A fit for most homes that need some 240-volt backup.
- 7,200 watts of output
- 120 and 240 volts
- 4,000 watts of solar input
TITAN 5000 Plus + TITAN Battery
$5,799 (check current price)
A fit for homes planning to recharge from solar. Includes 10 kilowatt-hours.
- 7,200 watts of output, up to 10,000 with strong solar
- 120 and 240 volts
- 8,000 watts of solar input
| Spec | Classic | TITAN 5000 | Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5 to 30 kWh | 5 to 30 kWh | 5 to 30 kWh |
| Output | 4,000W | 7,200W | 7,200W, up to 10,000W with solar |
| Voltage | 120V | 120/240V | 120/240V |
| Solar input | 3,200W | 4,000W | 8,000W |
| Weight | 110 lb | 119 lb | 121 lb |
| Price | $2,499 | $3,199 | $3,699 |
The table compares single units. The Plus card above shows the 10 kWh bundle, and the Plus alone is $3,699. Prices are EcoFlow's listed sale prices and can change, so check the current price before you buy. Specs come from published product listings.
What Can a 5 kWh TITAN Run During a Shutoff?
One TITAN can keep a modern fridge, Wi-Fi, lights, a TV and phones going for about a day and a half. That's our estimate, and your own number depends on your appliances. Big loads like central AC use the battery much faster.
About 1.5 days
One 5 kWh TITAN, essentials only
Based on about 2.5 kilowatt-hours a day for the list below. An older fridge can cut this down.
About 3 days
10 kWh, essentials only
Adding one TITAN battery roughly doubles your runtime. It doesn't raise your maximum power output.
A few hours or less
5 kWh with central AC running
Central AC can use up one TITAN quickly, depending on its size. Check your unit's power needs before you count on it.
| What's running | Estimated use per day |
|---|---|
| Modern refrigerator | 1.5 kWh |
| Wi-Fi router and modem, on all day | 0.4 kWh |
| Five 10-watt LED bulbs, 5 hours | 0.25 kWh |
| TV, 3 hours | 0.3 kWh |
| Phones and small chargers | 0.05 kWh |
| Total | About 2.5 kWh |
These are our estimates, not EcoFlow's or tested results. We assume about 4.3 kWh of usable power from a 5 kWh battery after conversion losses. Refrigerator use varies widely by size and age, as this appliance usage chart shows.
Planning for longer shutoffs or bigger loads? Compare TITAN with a permanent battery.
What Does It Take to Install an EcoFlow TITAN?
The TITAN unit itself doesn't need to be installed. You only need installation if you want it connected to your home's circuits. That gives you two ways to set it up.
Plug in your essentials
Set the TITAN in a dry, ventilated indoor spot, like a garage. When the power goes out, plug what you need into it.
- No electrician needed for plug-in use
- Run cords to your fridge, router and lights
- Plan for two people or a cart, since a unit weighs about 110 to 121 pounds
Connect it to your home circuits
Add the Smart Home Panel 10. It links the TITAN to up to 10 circuits you choose, so you don't have to run cords. Plan on hiring a licensed electrician.
- TITAN 5000 + panel: $4,199 (check current price)
- TITAN 5000 Classic + panel: $3,419 (check current price)
- Installation is extra
Who can install the Smart Home Panel 10?
Plan on hiring your own licensed electrician, and get a quote before you buy. EcoFlow also lists an installation service, but availability depends on your ZIP code.
Before you book, ask your installer:
- Does my city require a permit?
- Do I need to notify or apply with my utility?
- Which 10 circuits should I back up?
- Will the battery location stay above 32°F in winter? A retailer listing says TITAN stops charging below that.
Installation requirements vary by home, city and utility. Prices and availability can change, so confirm them before you buy. We don't install TITAN systems.
Should You Get a TITAN or a Permanent Home Battery?
Choose based on how you plan to use it. A TITAN is a strong fit for backing up your essentials. A permanent battery is built to run every day and carry more of your home through long shutoffs.
A TITAN may fit if:
- You mainly want backup for your essentials
- You rent, or you may move soon
- You want to buy online and set it up yourself
- You're not ready for a full installed system
A permanent battery may fit if:
- You want more of your home running through long shutoffs
- You want to charge from rooftop solar every day
- You want to lower what you pay during peak hours
- You want design, permits and installation handled for you
| What matters | EcoFlow TITAN | Tesla Powerwall 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Backup power | Backup and daily savings |
| Capacity | 5 to 30 kWh | 13.5 kWh, expandable |
| Setup | Plug in, or add a panel | Professionally installed |
| Permits | Ask your installer | Handled by our install team |
| How you buy | Online | Custom quote |
During a PSPS shutoff, my whole street went dark. Our Powerwall kept the lights, fridge, AC and internet on. Ed Watts, Solar With Watts
Comparing payment options for a permanent battery? See our prepaid solar and battery guide or our home battery comparison.
Are There California Rebates for the EcoFlow TITAN?
It depends on your utility and your address. Rebate rules change, so confirm your eligibility with the program before you buy. Don't count on a rebate until it's approved.
PG&E customers
The TITAN doesn't qualify for PG&E's portable battery rebate because it's over the 1 kilowatt-hour limit.
SCE customers
SCE's portable power rebate may apply if you meet the program's requirements. Check with SCE before you buy.
Other utilities
Programs vary across California, and many larger rebates are tied to permanent home batteries.
Program rules, funding and eligibility can change at any time. This is general information, not a promise of a rebate.
What Do California Homeowners Ask About the EcoFlow TITAN?
How much does the EcoFlow TITAN 5000 cost?
It starts at $3,199 for the TITAN 5000. The Classic starts at $2,499, and the Plus starts at $3,699. Prices can change, so check the current price before you buy.
Do I need an electrician to use a TITAN?
No, not for plug-in use. You can plug appliances directly into the TITAN. Plan on a licensed electrician if you add the Smart Home Panel 10 to connect home circuits.
Can the EcoFlow TITAN run central AC?
Sometimes, but check your unit first. The TITAN 5000 and Plus support 240 volts, and the Classic doesn't. Your AC's running and startup power decide if it works, and it will drain the battery quickly.
Can I keep a TITAN in my garage?
Yes, if the garage is dry and ventilated. A retailer listing says the TITAN stops charging below 32°F, so plan around cold winter garages. It's an indoor product, so don't leave it outside.
How long does a TITAN take to charge?
About three hours from a wall outlet. That's our estimate for one 5 kWh unit at 1,800 watts of wall charging. Adding batteries takes longer.
Will a TITAN work with my existing solar panels?
It can, but you may need added equipment. Connecting to existing rooftop solar can involve the Smart Home Panel 10 and a sensor. Ask a licensed electrician to review your system first.
How long will a TITAN last during a shutoff?
About a day and a half for essentials on one 5 kWh unit. That's our estimate for a modern fridge, Wi-Fi, lights, a TV and phones. Bigger loads shorten it quickly.
Can a TITAN back up my whole home?
Not usually. The Smart Home Panel 10 connects up to 10 circuits you choose, so you'd pick what matters most. Homes that want more coverage through long shutoffs should compare a permanent battery.
Does the EcoFlow TITAN qualify for California rebates?
It depends on your utility. It doesn't qualify for PG&E's portable battery rebate, and SCE's portable power rebate may apply if you meet its requirements. Confirm with the program before you buy.
Does Solar With Watts install the TITAN?
No, we don't install TITAN systems. We earn a commission if you buy through our links. If you want a permanent battery, our team handles design and installation through Mars Home Solutions.
Which Backup Fits Your Home Before the Next Shutoff?
If you want backup for your essentials, start with a TITAN. If you want more of your home covered through long shutoffs, see what a permanent battery could do for you.
Not sure which one fits? Book a free call with Ed.
More shutoff guides: Home battery backup | Portable battery vs generator | PSPS outage kit
We earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. We don't install TITAN systems.