I bought a lower watt Microwave, 800W (altho my Kill-A-Watt says 1200W!!) But being smaller it takes less time to heat. I'm maybe doing 1/2 KWhr a day for heating food. 1.2KwH for the fridge. And I'm now cycling doing the wash on longer runs and when winter comes I'll just air dry my clothes!
So my electric is way down now. I'd love to move up in power, but the inverter, the charger and the batteries...not to mention the panels will kill me. At $1600 I am covering about 1/3-1/2 of my bases.
The funny thing is, the more efficient you become so you don't have to buy so many panels etc., the less your electric bill is. So it makes solar seem even more expensive.
I agree with the "other reasons". If not for them, I'd just have done efficiency over power replacement. The idea of being self-sufficient is very gratifying.[ Parent ]
My batteries are backup only. Once I put the backup in only had two short power outages! Bummer!
Add couple inches of insulation around your Fridge. Increasing thickness ratio should be the ratio of power saved (couple other factors involved like how often opened, compressor efficiency etc). Also be careful of the heat exchanger, not to cover them. Some new fridges use the coils beneath the skin... cant add insulation.
The idea of being self-sufficient is very gratifying. Since I have not achieved this I do not know, but expect it would be! Have designed an off grid hunting camp, might get to build it this summer.
Have fun, Scott.[ Parent ]
