How to Choose the Best Inverters for Home: A Detailed Guide
Regular power cuts can disturb daily life a lot, mostly during hot summers or when you are working from home. This is where an inverter becomes important for every home. If you are planning to buy an inverter for home use, you might be wondering how to choose an inverter for home that gives good backup and is durable too.
Here in this guide, we will discuss everything you must know before buying an inverter for your home.
Understand Your Power Requirement First
Before you start looking at inverter models and inverter prices, the first thing you must do is calculate your home’s power needs. You have to know how many appliances you want to keep running during a power cut. It could be just a few fans and lights, or maybe also a TV, fridge, or laptop.
Make a list of devices and note their wattage. Usually, this data is written on the device itself or in the manual.
For example:
Appliance |
Power Consumption (Watts) |
Quantity |
Total Power (Watt) |
Ceiling Fan |
70 |
2 |
140 |
LED Tube Light |
40 |
2 |
80 |
Television |
70 |
1 |
70 |
Refrigerator |
140 |
1 |
140 |
Total Power |
|
|
430 Watts |
In this case, your total requirement will be 430 Watts.
Choose the Correct Inverter Capacity
Once you have the total wattage in hand, the next step is finding out the right inverter capacity. Inverters are rated in VA (Volt-Ampere). But there is always some power loss. That is why the power factor is considered. For houses, it is usually taken as 0.7.
So, inverter capacity (VA) = Total power requirement (Watt) ÷ Power Factor
Using the above example:
Inverter capacity = 430 ÷ 0.7 = 614 VA
So, you must look for an inverter of around 650 VA or a little more. It is always better to keep some margin to avoid overload.
If you are thinking which inverter is best for your home when it comes to capacity, then remember to select based on your real usage instead of guessing.
Calculate the Battery Size You Need
The inverter battery is the heart of your backup system. It decides how long you can run your devices during a power cut.
Battery capacity is measured in Ah (Ampere-Hour).
The formula to calculate battery size is:
Battery Capacity (Ah) = (Inverter VA × Backup Hours) ÷ Battery Voltage
Usually, the battery voltage is 12V.
Suppose you want 3 hours of backup:
Battery Capacity = (614 × 3) ÷ 12 = 153.5 Ah
You should always pick a battery slightly bigger than what you calculate. So, a 160 Ah battery would be good for your needs.
When looking for the best inverter with a battery for home, check that both the inverter and battery are compatible.
Types of Inverter Batteries Available
Choosing the right battery type is equivalent to picking the best inverter for the home. Mainly, there are three types of batteries:
-
Flat Plate Batteries: Good for areas where power cuts are rare and short. They are affordable but have a shorter life compared to others.
-
Tubular Batteries: Ideal for areas where power cuts are long and regular. They have a longer duration and perform better.
-
Gel Batteries: These are maintenance-free batteries. They have a slightly higher inverter battery price, but are safer and last longer.
For home use, most people prefer tubular batteries because they have a good service life and are reliable.
Other Important Features to Look At
While buying an inverter with a battery for the home, apart from capacity and battery, check for these features too:
-
Warranty: A longer warranty is better. It shows the brand’s confidence in its product.
-
Display Panel: Some inverters come with an LCD or LED screen showing battery level, load, and other useful info.
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Protection Features: Overload protection, short circuit protection, and deep discharge protection are a must for safety.
-
Bypass Switch: In some inverters, a manual bypass switch is provided. This allows a direct power supply even if the inverter fails.
Choosing Between Different Inverter Technologies
Today’s inverters come with advanced technologies to improve efficiency and performance.
Some popular types include:
-
PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) Inverters: These are old technology and less costly, but not very efficient.
-
MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) Inverters: These are smart inverters that adjust based on your load and give higher efficiency.
If you are ready to invest a little extra, an MPPT inverter can give better results in the long term.
Comparison Between Major Inverter Categories
Features |
Pure Sine Wave Inverter |
Modified Sine Wave Inverter |
Appliance Compatibility |
High |
Moderate |
Noise during Operation |
Very Low |
High |
Price |
Slightly High |
Low |
Efficiency |
High |
Medium |
Appliance Lifespan Impact |
No impact |
Can shorten lifespan |
Factors That Affect Home Inverter Price
While checking different inverter price options, you must know that several factors influence it:
-
Capacity (VA rating): Higher capacity inverters cost more.
-
Technology: Pure sine wave and MPPT inverters are costlier.
-
Brand and Warranty: Trusted brands with longer warranties will have a higher price.
-
Additional Features: LCD screens, fast charging, Wi-Fi monitoring, etc., also add to the cost.
When looking for a home inverter price, do not just go by the cheapest model. Look for value, performance, and after-sales support.
Also Read: Home UPS vs Inverter - What's the Difference?
Conclusion
Picking the right inverter for your home is not very hard if you know your exact power needs and understand the basic inverter details. From calculating the power load to picking the correct inverter and battery, every step is important to get a smooth and reliable backup solution.
If you are looking for the best inverter with a battery for home, with reliable after-sales support, then you must buy from Schneider Electric eShop. They offer a wide range of inverters and batteries that fit various home needs and budgets. Their products are built with modern technology to offer the best services and safety for your home.
FAQs
Q1. Can I use an inverter for all appliances in my home?
Ans: No, it’s not a good idea. An inverter is made for running basic things like fans, lights, a TV, and a computer. Big devices like AC, water heater, or washing machine need a lot of power and may damage the inverter if used.
Q2. How to choose an inverter for a home if I have too many appliances?
Ans: First, you must check how many appliances you want to run during power cuts. Then calculate the total wattage they need. This will help you understand better how to choose an inverter for your home that can support your full load without any trouble.
Q3. What happens if the inverter capacity is less than required?
Ans: If you not check properly how to select inverter for home, you may end up buying smaller one. It will overload often and may even get damaged. Always pick inverter little bigger than your total need to stay safe.
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