Tesla Powerwalls are quickly becoming the most popular power backup systems on the market. They aren’t up there with generators yet but the gap has closed significantly over the past five years. Installation location is simple as well. A Powerwall is small enough to fit just about anywhere.
That includes indoors or outdoors. Powerwall’s are designed with weather resistance in mind, however, Tesla recommends that you install a Powerwall in a place where the environment is between 32°F and 82°F.
If the ambient temperature exceeds or falls below those numbers, a Powerwall activates its thermal control system, which eats up energy that could better be utilized powering your home. In other words, it becomes less efficient.
Pros And Cons Of Installing A Tesla Powerwall Outside
Thanks to the size of Tesla Powerwall’s, the options for installation are nearly limitless. In fact, some people have them installed inside the ground. Outside and inside installation options are numerous as well.
Installing a Tesla Powerwall outside is generally a good idea but it does come with its own set of pros and cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| Water Resistant Shell | Isn’t as Efficient in Extreme Climates |
| Operative Rage of -4°F to 122°F | Exposure to Sunlight is Problematic |
| Built-In Thermal Control System | Ventilation Capabilities may be Reduced |
| Saves Room Inside the Home | Potential for Spotty Network Connection |
| Reduces the Humming Noise | |
| More Room for Powerwall Stacks |
Tesla Powerwalls were built with outside situations in mind, including an outer, weather-resistant shell that protects the interior of the Powerwall from the negative effects of rainfall and potential corrosion.
It also has its own, internal, thermal control system that kicks in when interior temperatures exceed certain limits or fall below standard operating temperatures. Placing a Powerwall outside also saves space inside the house.
Of course, Tesla Powerwalls are not gigantic, with a single Powerwall standing 4’ tall and 2½’ wide. The thickness is about what you would expect in a standard wall, hence the name. This design makes it easy to stack a multitude of Powerwalls side by side, creating what is essentially a power-supplying wall.
Building something like that makes more sense outside and away from interior walls, leaving you more space inside your home. Powerwalls also hum. It’s nothing aggravating and it certainly isn’t loud. It’s about the same number of decibels you get when your refrigerator kicks on.
However, depending on where that’s located in the house, you might be able to hear enough of the hum to aggravate. Tesla recommends the Powewall be stored where the ambient temperature is between 32°F and 82°F but it will still function between -4°F and 122°F.
The problem is, once the ambient temperature exceeds 82°F or drops below 32°F, the thermal control system kicks in, controlling the internal temperature of the Powerwall. This energy is wasted because it’s not being used to power your home or supplement your existing power.
There is also the matter of network connection. To get the most out of your Tesla Powerwall, a WiFi connection with your network is required. Installing it outside will often make that more difficult since WiFi tends to have problems maintaining signal integrity when passing through walls, wires, sheetrock, brick, cement, or glass.
Pros And Cons Of Installing A Tesla Powerwall Inside
Most people install their Tesla Powerwalls inside. However, inside installation should be separately defined from installing a Powerwall inside of a non-climate-controlled garage. Sure, it will escape much of the elements in a garage but will still be exposed to ambient temperatures.
| Pros | Cons |
| No Concern Over Weather | Humming Noise May Aggravate |
| Doesn’t Take Up Much Space | Has to be Installed Away from Everything for Proper Ventilation |
| Ambient Temperatures Remain Stable | Installation is Sometimes Limited |
| Can be Installed Closer to Your Main Panel | |
| More Convenient to Access When Necessary | |
| Better Network Connection |
You definitely don’t have to worry about the weather. Oftentimes, homeowners compromise by installing their Powerwalls in the garage. This eliminates most of the cons of installing it inside, with the exception of ambient temperatures.
Most people’s garages aren’t climate controlled but if yours is, its the perfect spot for a Tesla Powerwall. The only other thing that may be problematic when installing it inside a garage is the WiFi signal. If you have a good WiFi signal on your smartphone, when you’re in the garage, it will probably be okay.
You may be limited in terms of space as well. But, remember, the Tesla Powerwall comes with mounting brackets, so you can install it on the wall, as high or as low as you want. Be sure to install your Powerwall(s) where they will have plenty of space. Proper ventilation is a must.
Last but not least, some people are extraordinarily aggravated by the humming noise when the Tesla Powerwall kicks on. It’s much like a refrigerator but it aggravates some more than others. Keep that in mind if you plan on installing near places where everyone hangs out a lot.
It’s also a good idea to have it installed away from areas of heavy foot traffic. You don’t want people bouncing or knocking into it on a regular basis.
Outside And Underground Installation
It’s rare, but some people choose to have theirs installed underground. The only drawback to this is you have to build an infrastructure to house the Powerwall’s underground…you can’t just toss them in a pit and start shoveling in the dirt.
It also needs to be buried close enough to your home that you can run the correct gauge wiring from the Powerwall to your main breaker. The longer electricity has to travel through a wire, the smaller the gauge needs to be (which means the wire is larger).