Resistive Loads

These terms may be confusing, but it is important to know the difference. There are two types of resistive loads: linear and non-linear.  

The linear-type load consumes an average amount of power that remains constant over time. There are no significant fluctuations while running or starting them, and these can be anything from a lightbulb all the way down to your household’s water heater.

Non-linear loads have a behavior similar to inductors or capacitors, which are characterized by an unpredictable increase in power consumption over time. An example is a computer with switching supplies that consume more watts when turned on but decrease gradually after startup (and vice versa). Non-linear resistive load must be addressed carefully since its value changes constantly depending on what’s running through them at any given moment – this can lead some people who don’t know much about electronics to annualize these measurements by taking averages across short periods instead of looking deeper into how things work.

You can find the nominal voltage of your load in most cases by looking at its specs on paper or online. Once you have that, use this handy power formula:

Watts = Voltage x Amps

The load’s power consumption can be determined by measuring its resistance. In this table, we present some residential loads used for resistive purposes.

The ones that use more power are the ones that:

• Heat the space  
• Cool the space  
• Generate heat for cooking  

While it is possible to use solar power with just about any appliance, doing so will reduce your system’s overall efficiency and cost. This means that you should carefully select which of these appliances are allowed by considering their energy demands on the PV array as well as other limitations such as an electric stove or waffle iron may draw too much juice from what little there is already available for things like heating water in a kettle without using up all our stored sunlight first.

Inductive Type Loads  

When starting an inductive load, the current can be higher than normal. The extra electricity put out by these devices will cause a short in your home’s wiring if it isn’t protected with surge protection equipment or proper insulation.

Refrigerator 

The refrigerator is the most important of all inductive loads. The compressor takes cool refrigerant liquid and transforms it into hot, high-pressure gas with an electric motor that generates movement inside this machine to make work easier for you. This means there will be some power surges while starting up your fridge or freezer but don’t worry – they’re not going anywhere so just sit back and enjoy those cold drinks coming out nicely chilled after every sip. 

The following image shows how much power two 20 cubic foot refrigerators use.

• Refrigerator A is an efficient appliance, with a nominal power consumption of 200W and starting at 800 watts.
• The Refrigerator B consumed a nominal power consumption 100W and starting 400 watts.

The off-grid solar system must always provide four times the nominal power requirements for operation. This is because starting with low voltages means an increased risk of damage or failure from excessive current flow, so it’s best to be prepared. 

The fact that you cannot take the nominal power consumption and multiply it by 24 hours is one of many factors to consider when sizing your PV system. Overeating will lead only bad results, so make sure not too much oversizing happens.

The yellow label on your refrigerator is the key to understanding how much energy it consumes. The information found here will allow you calculate an estimate for power consumption and inverter ratings, which are important when choosing a system that’s right for both function & cost.

The energy consumption of your fridge is dependent on several factors, including:

• The type of fridge you buy depends on your power needs. A top loader will use less than a display model because it doesn’t have all the extra electronics in front that take up space andresources, so if this sounds like something important to consider when buying one make sure there’s enough wattage available for what ever application.
• The size of the fridge you choose can make a big difference in energy consumption.
• The fridge’s location can make a big difference in how much energy it uses. If the ventilate at your condenser is good, then you won’t need as high of an efficiency rating for that specific model and type of refrigerator because its output will be less due to being out doors most likely rather than inside where there are many walls with insulation on them providing shade from direct sunlight which would cause more heat buildup.
• Season: The fridge needs to work a little harder during the summer because of how much hotter it becomes inside.
• Usage frequency: It’s not surprising that opening the door frequently will lead to more energy usage. 
• The temperature set point in your fridge should not be too cold.
• The age of your refrigerator also has an effect on how much energy it uses. Newer models use less electricity than older ones do (if they’re both types).
• The quality of your seals will determine how well they seal. A good set is essential for keeping out cold air and water, while a bad one can let in both freely. 

The average home refrigerator uses 50% of its rated power in one day. For example, if your fridge is rated at 100 Watts and runs 24 hours per day it will use:

100 Watts x 24 hours = 2.400 Watt hours per day

2.400 Wh x 50% = 1.200Wh per day

People have been considering running a DC fridge. The cost of these fridges is pretty expensive and you might be better off with an AC model, which will power from your inverter most times as it’s necessary only during emergencies or when the sun goes down too early in some parts’ winters (like Florida). With a 3 kW inverter, you may experience lots of power loss because it is working continuously. You can opt for the smaller 500W model that will continually run your fridge but with less idling time and thus limit how long the bigger unit stays on without being used by turning off some devices when they are not needed.

Washer/Dryer 

The differences between gas and electric dryers are clear. Electric-based models circulate an electric current through a resistor to generate heat. The electricity used by electric dryers can amount to 725kWh per year and it takes a lot of power. This applies especially if you’re running your clothes through an average-sized machine, which consumes 3KW.

You can’t just go buy some dryers and think that you’re good to go. Dryer energy requires a lot of power, which is tough on your RV’s battery or off-grid system with limited space for solar panels – it could fry them.

Installing a natural gas dryer is the best choice for your home. These appliances come with other essential safety regulations, like placing it in an open area away from any walls or furniture and allowing fresh air into their intake pipes which can be accomplished by installing external exhaust vents on either side of them as well so you won’t have anything blocking those routes when using propane detectors while cooking. 

RV Water Pump 

The RV water pump is a type of load that you can add to your list. These pumps generally work at 12 VDC and draw between 2.5 Amps – 10 Amp under regular operation, but they have higher power requirements when starting up or going into standby mode due an onboard battery system integral with the unit’s design (which will be discussed later).

The DC motor in these generators draws between 10 and 40 Amps while starting up.

If you want to use your shower or wash hands during the time that it takes for this 12V water pump, then go right ahead. These are DC appliances and do not count against power in an inverter-powered home.

Air Conditioner 

The air conditioner is a great way to keep your home cool during hot summer days, but it’s also one of the most energy intensive household appliances. To power an AC unit with solar panels you need accurate estimates for how much electricity this machine will use each day.

The power consumption of an AC unit can’t just be calculated based on its nominal rating.

You must not do this, because your solar panel system will be oversized and there’s no way for you to know until after the fact.

The device also has a motor that runs the compressor. This means it requires an extra surge current, which on AC units should be 3 times greater than what’s given for electrical power in their technical data sheets (TEoS).

The common mistake of assuming the air conditioner’s energy consumption will be related to how long you use it, is often inaccurate.

You can expect to use up to 50% less energy with an air conditioner. The following image shows the pattern of consumption for a typical AC wall unit, which gives you reference when it comes time for your own home’s maintenance needs.

The air conditioner is a great way to keep your home cool on those hot days, but it also uses up some power. The AC unit will consume 1 ,200 watts for its rated capacity of cooling down an entire room- after that’s done with what remains inside the machine goes towards heating things up.

It is important to consider your home’s energy consumption when deciding how often you should open and close the door. The number of times an individual opens their front or back door can have a large impact on how much they use electricity in one day, so it pays off by cutting down this cost.

You will learn how to size your system correctly in the next chapter.

A lot of people make errors when determining their home’s electricity needs, but we’re here to help. We’ll teach you all about it and show exactly what measurements need taken so that they can be met without too much hassle or expense from start to finish.