You don’t have to sacrifice the comforts of a grid-tied home when you go off-grid. Thanks to recent advances in technology, you can now operate an air conditioner without relying on the power grid.
Harnessing solar energy is one of the best ways to power an air conditioner. Here’s what you need to set up a solar power system in your off-grid home: (h/t to Hillsborough-Homesteading.com)
How solar panels power an off-grid air conditioner
You can generate your own electricity using solar photovoltaic (PV) panels or solar thermal systems. PV panels directly convert sunlight into electricity and operate only when the sun is shining. Meanwhile, solar thermal systems collect sunlight, convert it to heat, store it and later transform it into electricity. They have limited applications and work best at heating water and indoor air.
You need the following items to power an off-grid air conditioner:
AC is an electric current that reverses direction for a number of times per second. Electric grids supply AC power into the power plugs in your home. Most air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators and other household appliances run on AC power.
DC, on the other hand, flows only in a single direction and is produced by solar panels, fuel cells and batteries. Electronic devices like cell phones and laptops run on this type of current. When you plug in these devices, you use a power adapter to convert the AC electricity coming out of the power plug into DC.
For your solar power system, you need an inverter since solar panels generate DC power. An inverter converts DC into AC and makes electricity usable around your home. You can then turn on your off-grid air conditioner during a heatwave and keep your place cool. Take note that the size of your inverter should be similar to the DC rating of your solar power system. (Related: 5 Ways to stay cool when SHTF during a heatwave.)
Some solar panels have a built-in inverter so you don’t need to buy one. These panels send AC power into your home even though the electricity they generate is DC. They save time and labor costs since there is less work for your installer to do. The downside is that AC solar panels are more expensive than regular ones.
Some off-grid air conditioners run on DC power. They’re more efficient because the electricity coming from your solar panels don’t need to be converted. You may want into look into these models if you wish to conserve electricity. However, you’ll still need an inverter to power your entire off-grid home.
Choosing an efficient off-grid air conditioner
Your off-grid air conditioner should be energy-efficient so you have more electricity to keep other appliances running. Check the required voltage and required wattage when looking for an air conditioner.
The most common operating voltages of modern appliances are 115 to 120 volts (V) and 200 to 240 V. Air conditioning units that run at 115 V require less powerful – and less expensive – inverter and use less power than those running at 200 to 240 V. However, they are not as powerful and do not cool as rapidly as the latter.
The wattage of an air cooling unit is the best measure of how much electricity it uses in an hour. Choose an an off-grid air conditioner that consumes less electricity than can be produced by your solar panels.
If a unit’s wattage is not listed, look for the required voltage and amperage draw, which is measured in ampere (A). Multiply and the resulting number is the unit’s wattage. For example, a 115 V unit drawing 15 A per hour has an hourly demand of 1,725 W.
Living off the grid doesn’t mean you have to give up the creature comforts of a grid-tied existence. By installing solar panels, you can power an air conditioner and keep your off-grid home cool during a heatwave.
Virgilio Marin
Sources include:
Hillsborough-Homesteading.com
GreenCoast.org
EnergyEducation.ca
SolarReviews.com
TinyLivingLife.com
Related Posts
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Published by dreddymd
Dr Eddy Bettermann MD focus on Biological Medicine (Biologische Medizin), Darkfield Microscopy (Dunkelfeld Mikroskopie), Orthomolecular Medicine (Orthomolekulare Medizin), Ayurvedic Medicine (Ayurveda), Psychosomatic Medicine (Psychosomatische Medizin), raw food (Rohkost), fasting (Fasten):
Our primary integrative medicine goal is the maintenance of your health and wellness, and we are committed to safe and effective healthcare.
Our specialties include online integrative medicine education by alternative doctor: food and allergy management through the use of Integrative medical therapy, Environmental Medicine, General Family Medicine, Ayurveda, Panchakarma, Chronic Fatigue, ADHD, autism, Fibromyalgia, Yeast/Fungus related diseases – Candidacies, mercury dental replacement and detoxification, Natural Thyroid Replacement, Weight loss, Lyme Disease, Irritable Bowel Disease, Attention Deficit Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Addiction related programs, Intestinal Dysbiosis, as well as trigger point therapy using Neural Therapy.
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD, physician from Germany, consultant and teacher in biological medicine, especially dark field microscopy known as Live Blood Analysis in Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines. But he lecture also in the USA, Canada and the U.A.E. He speaks english and german.
https://dreddymd.com/2017/01/17/the-interactive-live-blood-cd-and-the-certified-training-live-blood-analysis-online-course/
https://dreddymd.com/courses/
https://dreddymd.com/2017/01/17/live-blood-microscopy-analysis-darkfield-course/
“Let thy Food be thy Medicine and thy Medicine be thy Food.” — Hippocrates
Physician Member of the Medical Board at AOX Singapore,
Medical Doctor at Nurse Mobile Clinic and
Physician at DrEddy Clinic
Our Mission:
The mission of the Integrative Medicine is to search for the most effective treatments for patients by combining both conventional and alternative approaches that address all aspects of health and wellness – biological, psychological, social and spiritual. Biological Medicine is a big part of my work and so is Dark field Microscopy, what I use in my daily practice and what I teach more then 15 years in Asia and around the world: Live Blood Analysis in dark field based on Haematology.
We utilize Live blood analysis since 2004, conventional as well as specialty laboratories for a thorough diagnostic work up of the disease in question. Our integrative medicine treatment regimens are especially unique and are tailored specifically to the individual needs of each patient.
Our Mission: don’t harm, prevent, use food as medicine
We are a reliable partner for integrative medicine in Medical Spa & Clinic Development and integrative medicine Education Training for alternative doctors – we bring different holistic approaches, like Integrative Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda Medicine together. On your request we offer our service in your place as well.
Heavy metal poisoning
Heavy metal poisoning is much more common than most people realize, and if you’re thinking that it doesn’t apply to you because you haven’t been exposed to any, think again. If you’ve eaten fish regularly, had amalgam fillings, received vaccinations, drank contaminated water, or done industrial or agricultural work or pharmaceutical manufacturing, there’s a good chance that you have a fair amount of toxic metals in your system..
We are here to help and to educate!
Wishing your health and happiness
Dr Eddy Bettermann MD
Multimedia library https://bit.ly/2Wgqsd3
Protect you and your family from harmful radiation https://bit.ly/synergyscience-dreddymd
More information about 5G and EMF: https://dreddymd.com/?s=5G+and+EMF
Protocol https://amzn.to/2Nxsfql
DrEddyClinic is affiliate of Amazon and get comission for the products, which we recommend https://www.amazon.com/shop/dreddyclinic , same as GlobalHealing https://dreddymd.com/shop/supplements/
View all posts by dreddymd
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD 
Solar energy to power an off-grid air conditioner is an excellent idea. Thank you 😊
LikeLike