FranklinWH

FranklinWH burst onto the home battery scene only a few years ago. Even so, it has quickly become one of the fastest-growing names in whole-home energy storage. The brand built its reputation in the United States. There, it pairs a large battery with smart, automated energy management. This guide looks at who FranklinWH is and what its aPower system offers. It also covers how FranklinWH compares with rivals, plus an honest look at UK availability.

Who is FranklinWH?

FranklinWH is an American energy technology company. It designs and sells whole-home battery storage systems for homeowners. The company was founded around 2020 in California. Several of its early engineers came from power electronics and telecoms backgrounds. Because of this, FranklinWH has leaned on smart software from the start. It treats automated energy management as central, not as an afterthought bolted onto a simple battery.

The business has grown quickly. It raised a Series B funding round of around 25 million dollars in 2023. Since then, it has built a network of several thousand certified installers across the United States. FranklinWH has also expanded beyond its home market. It has launched the aPower system in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. More recently, it announced plans to enter European markets too. For now, though, FranklinWH remains far better known in North America and Australia than in the UK.

The aPower home battery system

FranklinWH’s product line centres on two main pieces of hardware. The aPower unit is the battery itself. It is a large, outdoor-rated lithium iron phosphate system. It stores solar energy or cheaper off-peak grid electricity for later use. Alongside it sits the aGate, a smart controller. This controller manages the flow of power between the grid, solar panels, the battery and the home.

This two-part design is deliberate. Rather than charging and discharging on a fixed schedule, the aGate tracks household demand constantly. It also tracks solar generation and electricity tariffs. It then shifts energy use automatically to cut bills. It also keeps essential circuits running during a power cut. As a result, FranklinWH positions itself less as a battery brand. It is more of a whole-home energy management system, with storage as just one part of a broader package.

Key specs and features

Exact specifications vary by generation and region. It’s worth checking current figures with an installer before buying. That said, FranklinWH’s more recent aPower generation typically offers around 15 kWh of usable storage per unit. Several units can be combined for a larger system. Continuous power output sits at roughly 10 kW. Higher surge power is available for brief periods. This is enough to start demanding appliances such as air conditioners or heat pumps.

Because the aPower is AC-coupled, it can often be added to a home with existing solar panels. This suits retrofits as well as new installations. FranklinWH also offers an optional smart circuits accessory. This lets specific circuits be managed individually, rather than backing up the whole consumer unit at once. Warranty terms on the newer generation run to around 15 years. That is among the longer terms in the category. It also comes alongside a lifetime energy throughput limit.

What FranklinWH is best suited for

FranklinWH tends to suit homeowners who want one fairly large battery. It suits them better than those who want to expand gradually. Because capacity is added in whole-unit steps, it works well for households planning a sizeable system from the outset. For example, it suits homes wanting to cover most of their typical usage. Its AC-coupled design also makes it a practical retrofit option. It generally avoids the need to replace or closely match an existing inverter.

The brand’s emphasis on automated, software-driven energy management also appeals to many buyers. These are people who want the system to make decisions for them. Rather than manually scheduling charging and discharging, the aGate controller handles this in the background. However, some buyers want to start small and add capacity gradually. Others are strongly focused on the lowest upfront cost. These buyers may find other brands a better fit.

How FranklinWH compares to other home battery brands

Against established names such as Tesla Powerwall or LG, FranklinWH stands out in a few ways. Independent reviewers regularly highlight its generous warranty and high continuous power output. Its AC-coupled approach is similar to some rivals and different from others. So, compatibility with an existing solar setup is worth checking case by case.

Where FranklinWH differs most is in market maturity. It is newer than long-established brands. Consequently, it has a smaller track record outside North America and Australia. Pricing per kWh also tends to sit towards the higher side of the category. Buyers should weigh this against the long warranty and the convenience of its automated controller. As with any newer entrant, it’s sensible to compare several quotes. It also helps to ask installers directly about local parts and support before committing.

FranklinWH in the UK

As things stand, FranklinWH has a much smaller footprint in the UK. Its presence trails well behind the United States, Australia and New Zealand. The company only recently set out plans to enter European markets. This includes pilot programmes for grid services. UK-specific distribution and installer coverage still appears limited. In short, FranklinWH is better understood today as a US-led brand. It is one that is only beginning to look towards Europe, rather than an established UK presence.

This is likely to change over time, given how quickly FranklinWH has grown elsewhere. For now, though, UK homeowners should expect fewer local installers. They should also expect less familiarity among electricians. The parts and support network is also less mature than with brands sold in the UK for longer. Anyone considering FranklinWH in the UK should ask a prospective installer directly. Questions worth asking cover current stock, certification and local support before proceeding.

Pros and cons of FranklinWH

Weighing FranklinWH’s strengths against its drawbacks helps put the brand in context. This matters especially for buyers outside its core US market.

Common questions about FranklinWH