Coach Battery Loads | Power Requirements | Hours Used | Amp-hours Used |
Lamp bulb (3CFLs) | 4.5 amps | 4 | 18 |
Water pump | 8 amps | .2 | 1.6 |
Small 12 volt appliance | 8 amps | .1 | 1 |
Forced-air furnace | 5 amps | 4 | 20 |
Powered vent | 1 amps | 2 | 2 |
Refrigerator | 5 amps | 10 | 50 |
19-inch color TV | 2.5 amps | 4 | 10 |
VCR | 4 amps | 4 | 16 |
Coffee maker | 83 amps | .2 | 16 |
Medium-size microwave | 75 amps | .2 | 15 |
Curling iron | 5 amps | .1 | .5 |
Laptop computer | 10 amps | 2 | 20 |
Small power tool | 42 amps | .1 | 4 |
Blender | 25 amps | .1 | 2.5 |
Roof Mounted AC* | 167 amps | ||
Toaster oven * | 100 amps | ||
TOTAL | 176.6 |
Our fridge will be propane so that takes a big chunk out of our power needs. We'll have a propane deep freezer too. Our water heaters will be solar heated ... building boxes, painting them black inside & then wrapping with cellophane. The cellophane will hold the sun's heat & distribute it through the water.
Any way .... solar power isn't as expensive as people think. If you don't research or know what you need, salesmen can definitely take advantage of you. The cost will also depend on what you're willing to live without or change (such as a propane fridge instead of an electric one). Some things (maybe even most electrical) you won't even miss.
Think about it this way ... solar power gives you freedom as well. How much do you spend on your electric bill every month? We were spending no less than $200.00 per month every month ... during Winter the cost would go up though ... no less than $250.00 per month. Figure a conservative amount per year would be $2400.00 Our system is going to cost less than $900.00 so we save $1500.00 right off the bat!
How will you be powering your homestead?
I think we're going to outfit our trailer with solar before we ever leave the state. It will be easier to do it here while he still has this job. After we get there and expand our quarters and our lifestyle, we can add on as we need.
ReplyDeleteWow! It sure puts things in perspective to see how the power bills all added up, huh? I'm sure we spend that much on electricity. It will pay for itself in the first 4 or 5 months! It pays for itself in peace of mind and NO GRID TIES until then. :)
Have you looked into the water heaters that are 'on demand?' I forget what they are called, but they are mounted outside (I think) and heat water as you use it. I should google it up....
Anyway, that always sounded like a good idea to me if it was worth the cost of the thing. I seem to recall they were a bit spendy.
I think it's a good idea to hook up solar before you move!
ReplyDeleteWe have checked in to the hot water on demand heaters. We may get one at some point but our goal is to remain as free from grid or costly assistance as possible (meaning propane, gas, or grid electricity). Having a propane fridge will be hard to avoid but we're always looking for new, safe ways to refrigerate our foods that would lead us away from the propane/electricity.
I'm getting solar set up on my travel trailer before we move. We'll have a generator, too, so I 'plan' to look into some kind of wind generator, and possibly a small hydro electric gen. if I have enough moving water. We HOPE to find property with a creek, but if not we'll try to add extra solar as we grow. If I have my way, eventually we'll go totally wood for heat and cooking. :)
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