Overview

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Energy Efficiency

Calculating your Load

or - "How Much Energy Do You Use?"

The first step in designing a solar system for your house is to figure out how much power you need to run the various systems and appliances. Loads can be continuous (running 24 hours a day) or intermittent. Many loads, such as a refrigerator, toaster, or vacuum cleaner use a large amount of power but only for short periods.

Often, something that draws little power (such a a standard light bulb at 60 watts) will use more power per day if left on all day than a very large intermittent load such as a coffee maker drawing 900 watts for 20 minutes. For example:

• A 60W light bulb, 60W x 24 hrs = 1440 Whr.
• A coffee maker uses 900W x 1/3 hr = 300 Whr.

It is also evident from this example that if you use energy efficient compact fluorescent lightbulbs, which produce the equivalent of a 60W lightbulb but consume only 13W, thisbulb would use only 312 Whr in a day even if you left it on all day.

There are some loads that are not obvious and are easily overlooked when calculating load requirements.

• The inverter will draw a certain minimum amount of power.
• Anything that has a remote control (like the TV or stereo) draws some power at all times so that the remote will be ready to turn it on at anytime.
• Computers may also draw power even when they are not turned on.

These types of loads are called "phantom loads" because they are not readily apparent. They draw a small amount of power but, as we have seen, even a small amount of power, if it is continuous for 24 hours a day, can really add up. These loads can be mostly eliminated by installing a switch or a switched power bar that turns off the appliances when not in use.

The total amount of energy that you use, and with the solar array will have to supply, can be calculated.

Here is how it works:

Multiply the power used by each appliance times the hours per day that you use it - this gives you the total number of kWh per day for that appliance. Add up all the appliances and you will have the total number of kWh that you need per day.

Definitions:

• Power is given in watts (W) - a thousand watts is a kilowatt (kW).
• If you use a kW of power for one hour this is a kilowatthour (kWH). When you look at your utility bill you will see that the power you have used over the month is listed as some number of kWH.

An Example Load Calculation
used for the Suncatcher Solar Homes Prototype House

Notes:

1. The energy rating in KWh/year is based on 416 “Normal Cycle” operations per year and includes the energy required to heat the water. This is more than one load per day, which is not necessary for two people. The usage estimate has been adjusted accordingly.
2. This energy rating in KWh/year is also based on 416 operations per year. Our usage would be less based on fewer loads through the washer and we often hang the clothes to dry. Again, usage has been adjusted accordingly.