What wears a battery
Each full-equivalent cycle consumes rated cycle life. Track cycles used against warranted cycles and lifetime throughput.
Habits that extend life
Avoid sitting at 100% in heat, keep DoD within warranty, and charge at moderate rates. Lithium prefers partial cycles.
Plan and fund replacement
Project future cost with price trends and save monthly: future cost divided by months remaining.
Formulas used
Lifetime throughput
cycles x usable kWh
Monthly reserve
future cost / months left
Worked examples
6000-cycle, 13.5 kWh bank
6000 x 13.5 = 81,000 kWh lifetime throughput.
Common questions
How long do home batteries last?
Typically 10-15 years or the warranted cycles/throughput, whichever comes first.
Does depth of discharge matter?
Yes: shallower cycling and staying inside warranty DoD extends service life.
Sources
- Battery Research National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- ENERGY STAR U.S. Environmental Protection Agency