Have a question or need assistance? Reach out to us on WhatsApp or give us a call, and our team will help you right away. We typically respond within 30 minutes and guarantee a reply within an hour.
Decoding Your Power Needs: A Step-by-Step Guide to Performing a Home Energy Audit Before Going Solar
Investing in solar is one of the smartest decisions a Zimbabwean homeowner can make. But before you start looking at solar system packages and prices, there’s a critical first step: understanding exactly how much power you use. This process, called a home energy audit, is the foundation of a successful solar installation.Without an accurate audit, you risk buying a system that’s too small and leaves you frustrated, or one that’s too large and costs more than necessary. As your premier solar solutions partner, Sona Solar wants to empower you with the knowledge to make an informed decision. This guide will walk you through the simple steps of auditing your own home.
Step 1: Create Your Appliance Inventory List
Walk through your home, room by room, and list every single appliance that plugs into the wall. Don't forget anything!
- Living Room: TV, decoder, sound system, Wi-Fi router, lamps.
- Kitchen: Fridge, freezer, microwave, kettle, toaster, air fryer.
- Bedroom: Lights, phone chargers, fans, electric blankets.
- Office: Laptops, desktop computers, printers.
- Outdoor/Utility: Borehole pump, swimming pool pump, security lights, power tools.
Step 2: Find the Wattage of Each Appliance
Now, find out how much power (in Watts) each device consumes. This information is usually on a sticker on the back or bottom of the appliance, or on its power brick. If you can't find it, a quick internet search for the model number will usually work.
Example Wattages:
- LED Light Bulb: 10W
As your premier solar solutions partner, Sona Solar wants to empower you with the knowledge to make an informed decision. - Wi-Fi Router: 15W
- 60" LED TV: 150W
- Laptop: 65W
- Fridge/Freezer: 200W (when compressor is running)
- Kettle: 2200W
- Borehole Pump: 1100W
Step 3: Estimate Daily Usage Hours
This is where your lifestyle comes in. For each appliance, estimate how many hours it runs per day. Be realistic. A fridge runs intermittently 24/7 (estimate 8-10 hours of compressor time). Lights might be on for 6 hours, while a kettle is only on for a few minutes (e.g., 0.2 hours). The goal of this process is to ensure the system is adequate for all users, enhancing daily life in solar-powered homes.
Step 4: Calculate Your Daily Energy Consumption (Wh)
Now, do the simple maths for each appliance: (Wattage) x (Hours of Use Per Day) = Daily Watt-hours (Wh)
Example:
- TV: 150W x 5 hours = 750 Wh
- Fridge: 200W x 8 hours = 1600 Wh
- 10 Lights: (10W x 10) x 6 hours = 600 Wh
Step 5: Determine Your Peak Load
Finally, think about what appliances you might run at the same time. This determines your required inverter size (the kVA). For example, if you're watching TV (150W), the fridge kicks in (200W), and someone boils the kettle (2200W), your peak load at that moment is 2550W (or 2.55kW). A 5.2kVA system could handle this, but if you add a borehole pump, you'll need more power. This is crucial for women in business who need to run home and office equipment simultaneously. For very high peak loads, you'll need to understand the cost of a 10kVA solar system to handle the demand.
What's Next?
With this audit, you are now armed with the information to have a productive conversation with a solar expert. You can confidently discuss if you are a candidate for a standard package or if you require a solution for powering a large-scale setup or a full off-grid solar system in Zimbabwe.
The marketing vision of our leadership, including marketing maven Faith Mahachi, is to empower our clients. This is why now is the best time to invest—with knowledge and a clear plan. Contact Sona Solar today, and let's turn your energy audit into an energy solution, maybe even with a special promotion.
David (Sales)