The Anker Solix E10 whole-home battery system cut a Kansas City homeowner's monthly power bill by nearly half, according to a WIRED test, underscoring the growing financial viability of residential energy storage as utilities roll out aggressive time-of-use rate structures.
The System and Savings
Martin Cizmar, writing for WIRED, tested the Anker Solix E10 system in his 2,000-plus-square-foot home built in 1906 in Kansas City, Missouri. The $7,200 setup includes two batteries and a power dock. After moving into the home in August, his first full month's electric bill hit $372. By installing the battery and enrolling in a time-of-use rate plan, his May bill dropped to $102, compared to an estimated $185 on a standard summer plan—a 45% reduction. For June, his projected bill is $156.
The system is estimated to pay for itself in about five years, though Anker states the batteries will last for up to ten years.
Utility Rate Structures Driving Adoption
Cizmar's utility, Evergy, offers a Nights & Weekends Max Plan with aggressive time-of-use (TOU) pricing: overnight winter rates as low as 2 cents per kilowatt-hour, but summer afternoon rates spike to 36 cents. For comparison, a standard summer plan costs a flat 14 cents per kWh. According to WIRED, TOU rates are becoming more common as utilities try to incentivize time-shifting and manage grid stress. Similar aggressive TOU discounts are available in cities like Denver, Phoenix, and across California.
Financial Payback and Market Implications
| Rate Plan | Summer Rate (per kWh) | Monthly Bill (May) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (flat) | $0.14 | $185 (estimated) |
| TOU with battery | $0.02–$0.36 | $102 (actual) |
Even though Cizmar uses 15% more electricity than similar homes (per Evergy), the battery enables him to shift consumption to cheaper off-peak hours. The payback period of roughly five years makes the system financially attractive, especially as utilities raise standard rates to fund infrastructure for data centers, according to the article.
Broader Market Context
Whole-home battery backups, once reserved for solar enthusiasts or preppers, are becoming a mainstream appliance. WIRED notes their value extends beyond outage protection to significant bill reduction. For investors and executives, the Anker Solix E10 case illustrates a growing market for residential energy storage, driven by utility pricing reforms and consumer demand for energy cost control. As more utilities adopt TOU structures, the addressable market for products like the Anker Solix E10 is likely to expand, presenting opportunities for battery manufacturers and related service providers.
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