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/diy/ - Do It Yourself

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320569 No.320569 [Reply] [Original]

Is there a way to calculate the peak power demand of your house? We use about 70 kWh a day, which is an average of 3 kW per hour. I'm just curious as to what our peak demand would be if we wanted to install a standby generator that could operate the whole house like normal. I looked at our PPL account online and looked through all the data they give us but couldn't find a peak power usage.

So, is there any way to take a guess at peak usage considering our average is 3 kW per hour? I'm obviously not planning to do this before the hurricane hurts, herp derp.

>> No.320573

>>320569
>70 kWh a day
>3 kW per hour

Jesus, I use like 3-7KW per day.

>> No.320576

Figure out how much energy each appliance uses and add it all together. That would be the peak if you were running everything at once. Also, you need to factor in surge too, because some appliances draw more energy for a short period of time when you start them.

I have a 5kw generator, but only use it to run the fridge and sump pump when the power is out. Could probably run more stuff on it, but it will use less fuel with a lower load.

>> No.320580

>>320576
I have a 5kw one too.

It can run the well water submersible pump, fridge, 2 freezers, 2 netbooks, and general lighting all at the same time. However, when a hairdyer or toaster oven is used we make sure to only use those items since they draw well over 1KW each and we don't want the water pump and something else to kick on all at the same time with the hairdyer or toaster oven.

>> No.320581

>>320573

Well, a family of 3 can do that. Electric hot water heater, well pump, electric washer/dryer, big TVs, computers, 2 fridges, lights, dehumidifier.

>>320576

We could probably get away with 10 kW if we would only do necessities like well pump, fridges, oven, microwave, some lights and a TV. I guess adding everything up would be the easiest way.

>> No.320585

>>320573
murica

>> No.320588

Sounds like someone needs to learn how to use less energy.

>> No.320592

>>320569
Camp by your meter for a few days and take readings at 1 minute intervals?

Should give you a statistically significant data sample to work with

>> No.320595

>>320585
>>320588

Oh boy, here come he ecomoralfags

>> No.320604

>>320581
Remember for your well pump that you'll need about 6x the FLA to start it.

>> No.320606

Go around your house and do an audit of all of your electrical equipment.

Add all of the power usage together. Multiply by 2 (and remember to multiply all motors by six). Voila

>> No.320632

>>320595
Eco moral fags? He uses the electricity of a small town every month. WTF are you running?

>> No.320650

>>320604
It doesn't. I have the specs for it and it is only about 1.5x.

>> No.320666

>>320588
yea, you.

>> No.320692

>>320632
>small town
Hyperbole like that makes you an ecomoralfag.

>> No.320761

>>320692
>troll
Adjective for what you are.

>> No.320770

I ask for advice and I get ridiculed for my power usage. LOL, derp. Like $200 a month for a household is unheard of.

>> No.320783

>>320632

Maybe he has a large house,and multiple people live there?

I have a 2 story house,and with 2 water heaters(one large one for the upstairs bathrooms and kitchen,one small one for the downstairs bathroom),2 fridges/freezers,a 5 ton AC unit,washer,drier,well over 40 lights,an old electric stove,3 TVs,5 computers,etc..the bill does add up. Usually around $200 a month to $300,depending on time of the year.

All of us aren't forever alone living in a one room apartment.

>> No.320786

>>320569
Anywho,to answer your question:

Anything from 5-10kW should be good. Just don't expect to run everything. If you want to be able to completely run your whole house,you are going to have to drop a LOT of money...and at that point most stores will be willing to help you out with calculating that(we are talking between 4-6 thousand,not including installation,and hookup)

>> No.320820

>>320761
Your evasion has been noted. Good day.

>> No.321833

>>320820
lol u2 make this worth reading

>> No.321842

>>320783
indeed, he could also have an office at home..

like the need for multiple tower pc's

or welding.. I have both, I'll leave one light in the house on all night, the stove's fluorescent bulb

but at peak the welder and towers wouldn't be the end of it...
there is also the electric stove, and fridge that might also be used in parallel
sigh, its the shitty old stove not the new induction ones :(

but aside from that I'm pretty power nazi
bustin my roommates bawls over leaving their pc's on

at the end, it makes you wonder if electric cars are saviors at all.. i hear 240v 50amp outlets for a "quick" overnight recharge is normal.

and I think my welder does around 8000watts not counting duty cycle(would be lower)

>> No.321847

>>321842
So basicly it depends exactly what you're doing

you could be running a bro-op with bro-bulbs

or splitting water into hydrogen/oxygen because some fascist local government says you cant do that.