In order to design an alternative energy system you'll have to first determine your estimated electrical needs. Use the chart below to estimate the wattage of appliances your not sure of. Knowing how much energy you intend to use is the starting point for any system design. Needless to say, you definitely should use only the most efficient appliances and use them in the most efficient manner in order to keep your initial costs down. The size (and cost) of any renewable energy system depends on: 1) The amount of power required (in watts). You can control the first two items! Go through your average day in your mind and determine what electrical items you use and how many HOURS they will be used on an average. Use the Power Consumption Reference Guide below for estimating wattage requirements for many appliances. For a more accurate estimate, read the label or owners manual for power rating on your appliance or use one of the clamp-on type amp-meters. If an appliance is rated in amps, multiply amps by operating voltage (120 or 240) to find watts. |
An Example List for an average day
Please note your actual power consumption useage will vary
Activity | Item | Watts | Hours | Watt/Hours |
Showering | Blow dryer | 1000 | .1 | 100 |
Breakfast | Blender | 300 | .05 | 15 |
Refrigeration | Refrig 12cf DC | 70 | 18 (avg) | 1260 |
TV | 19in color | 85 | 3 | 255 |
Internet | Computer | 200 | 2 | 400 |
Entertainment | CD Stereo | 35 | 3 | 105 |
Dinner | Microwave | 1000 | .2 | 200 |
Reading | Compact Fluorescent Light | 16 | 3 | 48 |
Daily Total | Watt Hours/Day = |
7675 w/hrs |
Remember these are estimated averages. Your appliances may differ greatly. Please check your own equipment.
Appliance Type | Watts/Hour | Appliance Type | Watts/Hour |
Coffee pot (10 cup) | 1200 | VCR -Off/Play | 10/27 |
Coffee pot (4 cup) | 650 | CD Player | 35 |
Toaster | 1050 | Stereo | 10-300 |
Popcorn popper | 250 | Clock Radio | 2 |
Blender | 300 | AM/FM car tape | 8+ |
Microwave | 600-1500 | Satellite dish | 30+ |
Waffle iron | 1200 | CB radio | 5 |
Hot plate | 1200 | Electric clock | 3 |
Frying pan | 1200 | Dishwasher | 1200-1500 |
Sink waste disposal | 450 | Sewing machine | 100 |
Washing machine - automatic - manual |
920 300+ |
Vacuum cleaner - upright - hand |
300-1100 100 |
Clothes dryer - electric - gas heated |
4000 300-400 |
Radio telephone - receive - transmit |
5 40-150 |
Iron | 1000 | Furnace blower | 300-1000 |
Garage door opener | 350 | Ceiling fan | 10-50 |
Table fan | 10-250 | Electric blanket | 200 |
Blow dryer | 1000+ | Shaver | 15 |
Waterpik | 100 | Electric mower | 1500 |
Computer - laptop - pc - printer-inkjet/laserjet/dotmatrix |
20-50 80-220 50/600/180 |
TV - 25" color - 19" color TV or monitor - 12" b&w |
150 70-140 20 |
Lights - 100w incandescent - 25w compact fluor. - 50w DC incandescent - 40w DC halogen - 20w DC compact fluor. |
100 28 50 40 22 |
Compact fluorescent incandescent equivalents - 40watt equiv. - 60watt equiv. - 75watt equiv. - 100watt equiv. |
11 16 20 30 |
Hedge trimmer | 450 | Weed eater | 500 |
1/4" drill | 250+ | 9" disc sander | 1200 |
1/2" drill | 450+ | 3" belt sander | 625-1000 |
1" drill | 800 | 12" chain saw | 1100-2400 |
7 1/4" circ. saw | 1200+ | 14" band saw | 1100-1800 |
8 1/4" circ. saw | 1800 | Typewriter | 80-200 |
Air conditioner (energy hogs) - room - central |
1000+ 2000-5000 |
Refrig/freezer - 20cf (15 hours) - 16cf (13 hours) |
540 475 |
Sunfrost (figure running 7hrs/day
typically) - 16cf DC - 12cf DC |
112 70 |
Freezer (figure running
10hrs/day typically) - 14cf ff (15) - 14cf (14) |
440 350 |
Always be sure and check www.energystar.gov for current HVAC and appliance efficiency data.
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