EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra: Your Guide to Whole Home Backup Costs and Installation

Want to keep your home powered during outages? The EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra is a powerful home backup system. But what does it really cost to install, and what’s involved? Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What’s the EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra?

Think of it as a super-powered battery for your home. Unlike noisy generators, it uses safe, long-lasting lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries to store electricity. It powers your home when the grid fails or during peak electricity hours.

Power: One unit provides 7,200 watts of continuous power (enough for most appliances).
Expandable: Start with 6kWh of battery storage and expand up to 90kWh.
Long Runtime: A fully expanded system could potentially power essential appliances for over 30 days during an outage.
Smart Home Panel 2 (SHP2): This crucial component connects to your electrical panel, allowing the Delta Pro Ultra to automatically power your home.

Configuration Options: Choose What Fits Your Needs

Basic Backup: (7,200W, 30A) Lights, fridge, AC.
Advanced Backup: (14,400W, 60A) Adds electric ovens, dishwashers.
Hassle-Free Backup: (21,600W, 90A) Everything above, plus EV charging.

Realistic Cost Breakdown: What You’ll Actually Pay

Hardware Costs:

Base unit (inverter + 6kWh battery): Around $4,849.
Extra 6kWh battery: $3,000-$4,000 each.
Smart Home Panel 2: $1,500-$2,000.
A mid-range 18kwh system including the SHP2 is roughly $14,097.
A fully expanded 92kWh system can cost around $39,999 on sale.
Solar panels add $0.70-$1.50 per watt.

Installation Costs:

Smart Home Panel 2 installation: $2,000-$4,000 (professional required).
EcoFlow offers installation in select states, but it excludes extra materials, permits, and solar wiring.

Additional Costs:

Electrical panel upgrades.
Permits ($100-$500).
Trenching/conduit ($500-$2,000).
Solar integration compliance ($500-$1,500).

Total Cost Examples:

Basic (7.2kW, 12kWh): $12,500-$17,000.
Medium (14.4kW, 24kWh): $23,500-$31,500.
Large (21.6kW, 36kWh+): $35,000-$48,000.

Installation: What You Need to Know

Professional vs. DIY:

Professional required: The Smart Home Panel 2 must be installed by a licensed electrician as it connects directly to your home’s electrical system and requires compliance with local electrical codes.
DIY possible: The actual Delta Pro Ultra inverters and batteries can be positioned and connected by homeowners once the Smart Home Panel 2 is installed properly. The units use plug-and-play connections for battery linking and have built-in wheels for positioning.

Space:

Smart Home Panel 2: Requires wall space similar to a standard electrical sub-panel, approximately 16 inches wide by 30 inches tall for surface mounting.
Clearance requirements: The panel needs at least 3 inches above and below, 3 feet of front clearance, and 1.5 inches on the left side.
Battery and inverter units: Each Delta Pro Ultra inverter with battery requires approximately 3 square feet of floor space and needs clearance for ventilation. The system is designed to be stacked to save space.
Environmental considerations: The system operates best in temperatures from -4°F to 113°F and should be installed in a dry, clean environment. The battery connection box is not waterproof and must be installed indoors.

Electrical Integration:

The Smart Home Panel 2 functions as a sub-panel connected to your main electrical panel. This approach has several advantages:

You don’t need to replace your entire electrical panel
It allows you to select which circuits you want on backup power
It provides a clean integration point for the Delta Pro Ultra system
It can be expanded with additional circuits if needed

The panel supports up to 12 circuit breaker slots divided into 4 quadrants, with each quadrant supporting up to 60A total load. This design allows for flexible circuit selection, but requires thoughtful planning of which home circuits you want backed up.

Most homeowners choose to back up essential circuits like refrigeration, lighting, internet/communications, security systems, and HVAC systems. The Smart Home Panel 2 can handle both 120V and 240V circuits, allowing it to power air conditioners, well pumps, and other large appliances.

Solar Integration:

Integrating the Delta Pro Ultra with rooftop solar presents specific challenges related to electrical code compliance. According to the National Electrical Code (NEC) section 690.31(D)(1), DC circuits from solar panels exceeding 30 volts or 8 amperes must be contained in metal raceways or metal enclosures when inside buildings.

Some installers have raised concerns that the Delta Pro Ultra’s direct connection of PV wires to the unit might violate this code requirement, as these connections are exposed rather than in metal enclosures. Solutions include:

Installing rapid shutdown equipment at the panel level
Using metal conduit for all solar wiring inside buildings
Limiting exposed cable runs to under 6 feet (using an NEC exception)
Installing junction boxes with proper grounding

These compliance issues make finding knowledgeable installers willing to integrate rooftop solar with the Delta Pro Ultra challenging in some areas. EcoFlow’s support team has acknowledged these challenges, suggesting customers consult with local professionals regarding specific code requirements.

Real-World Performance: What to Expect

Understanding what to realistically expect from the Delta Pro Ultra system helps set appropriate expectations for this significant investment.

Power Output Limitations

While the system specifications are impressive, there are practical limitations:

Each inverter provides 30A maximum current, which may be insufficient for appliances with high inrush currents despite the 7,200W rating.
For large central air conditioners or well pumps, multiple inverters may be needed to handle startup surges.
The silent operation mode (0dB) only functions for loads under 2,000W and for a maximum of 30 minutes.

Battery Runtime Expectations

Battery runtime varies dramatically based on what you’re powering:

Essential loads only (refrigerator, lights, internet): A 12kWh system might last 1-2 days
Moderate usage (essentials plus occasional HVAC): 6-12 hours per 6kWh battery
Heavy usage (full home operation): 2-4 hours per 6kWh battery

The manufacturer’s claim of “over 30 days of essential backup power” refers to a fully expanded 90kWh system running only essential appliances like lights and refrigerators under optimal conditions. Most realistic usage scenarios will result in significantly shorter runtimes.

Charging Options and Speed

The Delta Pro Ultra offers multiple charging options:

AC wall outlet: Up to 8,800W charging speed when configured properly, allowing two batteries to charge in approximately 2 hours.
Solar: 5.6kW input per inverter, potentially allowing “one hour of solar for one day of power” under ideal conditions.
Generator: Compatible with gas generators using the included AC charging cable or optional adapter.
EV charger: Can use existing EV charging infrastructure with appropriate adapters.

This flexibility provides resilience during extended outages when multiple charging methods may be needed.

How It Compares:

Traditional Generators

Standby generators (like Generac or Kohler):

Lower initial cost ($5,000-15,000 installed)
Require fuel (propane, natural gas, diesel)
Produce noise and emissions
Higher maintenance requirements
Unlimited runtime with fuel supply

The Delta Pro Ultra offers advantages in silent operation, indoor installation capability, and no emissions, but at a higher initial cost and with limited runtime.

Other Battery Backup Systems

Competing systems like Enphase or Tesla Powerwall:

Enphase 5p (20kWh): Approximately $28,000 installed
Tesla Powerwall (13.5kWh): $11,000-15,000 per unit plus installation
Both systems offer integrated app control and monitoring
Often require professional installation of all components

The Delta Pro Ultra offers competitive pricing for similar capabilities and potentially more flexibility in phased installation, but may have more complex permitting and installation processes, especially with solar integration.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

For most homeowners, the decision comes down to:

Frequency and duration of power outages in your area
Critical loads that must remain powered
Budget constraints
Environmental considerations
Integration with existing or planned solar systems

The Delta Pro Ultra makes the most economic sense for those:

In areas with frequent extended outages
With high electricity rates who can use time-of-use arbitrage
Planning substantial solar integration
Valuing silent, emission-free backup power

Conclusion: Is the Delta Pro Ultra Right for Your Home?

The EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra represents a significant investment in home energy security, with costs ranging from approximately $12,500 for a basic system to $48,000 or more for comprehensive whole-home backup. Understanding these costs and installation requirements is essential for making an informed decision.

For homeowners with critical power needs, frequent outages, or desires for energy independence, the Delta Pro Ultra offers a flexible, scalable solution with impressive technical capabilities. Its modular design allows for starting with a basic system and expanding over time as budget allows, which may be appealing compared to all-at-once installations required by some competing systems.

However, potential buyers should be realistic about installation complexity, especially regarding electrical code compliance with solar integration. Working with knowledgeable electricians familiar with battery backup systems is crucial for successful implementation. Additionally, securing proper permits and inspections might present challenges in some jurisdictions where these systems are still relatively uncommon.

The Delta Pro Ultra’s 5-year warranty and 3,500+ cycle battery life (approximately 10 years of typical use) help justify the investment. As with any large home improvement project, getting at least 3 different quotes with professionals will help ensure a successful installation.