The 5 Most Important Things To Consider

5 Key Off-Grid Essentials

The best way to get ready to use off-grid power at your property is to start by thoroughly analysing how much power you are likely to use. There are lots of things you can do to be leaner electricity consumers and make your off-grid power go further, without living like an ascetic! For example, appliances that heat or cool (space, air or an element) are the most power-hungry, so finding alternatives for those appliances can really help.

Consider these five ways to make the most of your off-grid power system and you may even be able to operate your household comfortably on a small system, saving thousands of dollars:

1. Gas or Solar Hot water – An average hot water system for a 3 or 4 person house can easily consume 4 kWh per day alone if it is powered from your new off-grid system. Installing a gas or solar hot water system is a simple way to drastically reduce you power consumption and save yourself big dollars.

2. Gas Cooking – Electric cook tops and ovens are another big burden on an off-grid system. Although running ovens and cook-top elements from your off-grid system is definitely achievable, you will find choosing gas will save you a lot of money.  

3. Wood fire heating – Electric Bar heaters are massive energy consumers and when run for long periods don’t really have a place in an off-grid household. Wood fire heating is an great option that many of our customers use. Alternatively, the ambient temperature of a wood fire stove can be harnessed to heat up living spaces.

4. Efficient appliances – If you are building a new home, take the opportunity to choose the most efficient appliances at the outset to reduce your off-grid power system requirements. Energy star ratings are now present on most appliances along with a yearly kilowatt (kWh) usage. This can be used to select the most efficient appliances for your budget. LED lighting has come a long way and is now a very efficient option for lighting your home. When numerous lights are used for a few hours each day, choosing efficient lighting can add up to big savings.

5. Change how you use your electricity - Some simple adjustments to your daily routine can earn you some electricity savings. The principle is simple: use your bigger appliances when the sun is out. Do your washing and vacuuming during the day, so that you are using electricity supplied directly from your panels rather than discharging your batteries. For smaller off-grid power systems you may want to load-share by staggering the use of your high draw appliances such as toasters, microwaves and kettles etc. This will reduce the requirement for a large off-grid inverter which will save you even more money on system cost.

Most importantly, if you have any doubts or concerns about what size system you will need, call us - we are here to help.

What You Need To Know

The Most Important Things to Know About Running a Pool Off-Grid, Hot Water System, Gas Cooking and using AC Systems.

Imagine having a cool, refreshing pool in your backyard, perfect for splashing with friends or relaxing on a hot day. Now imagine you live off-grid, meaning you don’t get electricity or water from the city. Instead, you make your own power, maybe with solar panels, and get water from rain or a well. Running a pool off-grid is totally possible, but it takes extra planning to keep it clean, safe, and fun. The most important things to think about are how to power your pool, how to keep the water clean, how to save water, and how to take care of everything without a store nearby. Let’s dive into these ideas so you can have an awesome off-grid pool!

1. Pool Pumps Use a Lot of Power

The pump is what keeps your pool water clean. Think of it like a giant vacuum—it moves water through a filter to get rid of dirt and stuff. But it uses a bunch of electricity. A normal pump takes about 1,000 watts and usually runs for 8 hours a day. That’s about 8 kilowatt-hours (kWh)—which could charge a laptop 80 times! If you're living off-grid, your solar panels power things, and the extra electricity goes into batteries. Pool pumps can drain those batteries fast, especially when the weather is cloudy or it’s winter and sunlight is weaker. If that happens, the pump stops, and your water can get dirty fast.

2. Use a Timer to Save Energy

A clever way to save power is by using a timer so the pump only runs when the sun is strong—usually between 8 AM and 4 PM. That way, your pump pulls power directly from your solar panels instead of draining your battery. It’s kind of like eating dinner while it’s hot instead of reheating leftovers—it’s fresher and more efficient.

Why this works:

 *  Keeps battery power for nighttime stuff.

 *  Uses solar energy when it’s most powerful

 *  Helps batteries last longer

 *  Timers are easy to set up and help your pool follow the sun’s routine!

3. Try an Energy-Efficient Pump

If you want a pool and you’re going off-grid, it’s smart to pick a pump that saves energy. Look for a high-efficiency or variable-speed model—they can cut energy use by up to 70%. That’s a big help for your solar system. 

Why It’s Worth It

Running a pool off-grid takes planning, but it feels great knowing you’re doing it yourself. You can swim in clear, clean water, have fun outside, and know that you’re using the sun to power it all. With a timer, a good pump, and a plan, your pool can fit your off-grid life like a glove. It’s kind of like building your own mini water park—powered by sunshine! If you’re serious about setting one up, ask an adult to help you talk to someone who knows about solar power or pools. That way, you’ll be ready to dive into summer the smart way.

Why Your Hot Water Setup Matters So Much

Living off-grid means relying on your own energy—mainly from solar panels and batteries. That makes every bit of electricity count. And heating water? That eats up a lot of it. In fact, it can use more than your lights, fridge, and TV combined. Go with the wrong system, and you might find yourself out of power just when you need it most. That’s why picking a hot water system that fits your off-grid lifestyle is crucial.

Electric Hot Water Systems: Not Ideal for Off-Grid Living

Electric water heaters are common in city homes, but off-grid? Not so much. Here’s why:

Power-Hungry: Electric heaters can burn through around 10 kWh a day. That’s about as much as a full-sized solar system (24 panels) produces in a day. So, if your heater hogs all the energy, you’ll be left without enough to run anything else.

Expensive Over Time: To keel electric heater going, you'd need to invest in more solar panels and bigger batteries. That’s a hefty upfront cost—and it takes up space too.

Not Great for Cloudy Days: When the sun disappears for a few days, your solar production drops. If your system relies on that power, you might end up with cold showers—definitely not ideal.

Gas Hot Water or Gas Boosters: A Smarter Off-Grid Choice

Gas-powered systems—or solar ones with gas backup—tend to be the sweet spot for off-grid homes. Here’s why they shine:

They Don’t Use Your Solar Power: Since they run on propane or natural gas, your batteries and solar panels stay free for other essentials—like charging your phone or keeping food cold.

Works Rain or Shine: Whether it’s sunny, rainy, or dark outside, gas systems keep your water hot. A solar system with a gas booster is even better—it uses solar energy when available, and switches to gas only when needed.

Money-Savers: These systems let you avoid the need for expensive solar expansions. That can mean big savings upfront, and often ongoing too, since gas can be cheaper than extra equipment.

Off-Grid Friendly: Gas is easy to store, even out in the middle of nowhere. Whether you're off-grid in the bush, by the coast, or deep in the hills, it’s simple to manage.

Why Gas Cooktops Are Great for Off-Grid Solar Setups?

Imagine living in a cool cabin in the woods or a tiny home in the middle of nowhere, powered by the sun. Sounds awesome, right? But when it’s time to cook your favorite spaghetti or grill some burgers, you need a cooktop that works without stressing your solar power. That’s where gas cooktops come in! If you’re going off-grid with a solar kit, we totally recommend picking a gas cooktop over an electric one. A gas cooktop uses propane, which comes in tanks you can buy at a store. It’s like the fuel for a barbecue grill. Here’s why it’s the best choice:

1. It Saves Your Power
Electric cooktops need tons of energy. That means your batteries could run out fast. Gas cooktops don’t use electricity at all. Just hook up a propane tank, and you’re ready to cook.

2. It Works Anytime
If the sun isn’t shining or your batteries are low, an electric stove might not work. But gas cooktops work as long as you have propane, no matter the weather.

3. Propane Is Easy
You can keep extra propane tanks around, and they last a long time. When one’s empty, just swap it at a store. Way easier than setting up more solar stuff.

4. Cooks Fast
Gas heat turns on fast, and you can change the flame to cook how you want. No waiting for it to warm up like electric stoves.

5. Keeps Your Solar Safe
Big electric appliances can mess up your solar setup or make it more expensive. A gas cooktop keeps things simple and helps your other stuff work better.

But What About Electric Stoves?
Okay, let’s be fair and talk about electric cooktops for a sec. Some people like them because they’re super clean—no flames, no gas tanks. There’s a fancy kind called induction that’s really efficient and only heats your pots. Sounds cool, right? But here’s the problem: even induction cooktops need a lot of power, like 1,000 to 2,500 watts per burner. For an off-grid, that’s like trying to fill a swimming pool with a garden hose. You’d need a huge solar system, which can be crazy expensive and tricky to set up in a small cabin or tiny home. Plus, if your batteries die, you’re stuck with no way to cook. Gas cooktops are just way easier and more reliable for off-grid life.

Living off-grid means being smart with your power. A gas cooktop is easy to use, saves energy, and works anytime. It helps you enjoy off-grid life without stress. So if you're getting ready to go off-grid, make sure to add a gas cooktop to your gear list!

A Guide to AC Systems

Thinking about keeping cool with air conditioning (AC) while living off-grid with solar power? It’s totally doable, but it requires careful planning to ensure your solar setup can handle the load efficiently. Air conditioners are one of the most power-hungry appliances in a home, and when you're running an off-grid solar power system, it's important to understand their impact on your daily energy consumption.

Whether you’re using a split system, box unit, or ducted air conditioning, several factors influence how much power it uses—including the unit’s size, age, room insulation, window coverings, and even the number of people in the space. Here’s what to consider:

1. AC Energy Demand
   Air conditioners use significant power. Check the wattage/BTU and opt for efficient models like inverter mini-splits (e.g., 12,000 BTU uses 1,000–1,500W).

2. Solar System Size
   Ensure your panels, batteries, and inverter can handle the AC plus other loads. Panels need daily output, and batteries must cover nights or cloudy days.

3. Battery Capacity
   AC runs for hours, so choose high-capacity batteries (like lithium-ion) to sustain nighttime use.

Let’s Size Your Off-Grid Solar System by Understanding Your AC Setup

Before diving into panel counts and battery banks, it’s crucial to understand how much energy your cooling system actually needs. And that starts with identifying the type of AC you’ve got at home. By sharing a few key details—like how often you use your AC, what kind of space you’re cooling, and what other appliances you rely on daily—we can help you design a solar setup that keeps you cool without overwhelming your power supply. Below, we’ll walk you through a quick assessment with simple questions that’ll help us dial in the right system size for you. Let’s get into it.

To help size your solar system right, we’ll need some info about your current AC unit:

1. What kind of AC do you use at home?

• Window Unit: A box-style unit usually mounted in a window or wall, cooling just one room (like a bedroom or small office).

• Split-Type System: A unit with a wall-mounted indoor component and an outdoor compressor, often cooling a larger space or several rooms.

• Ducted AC: A centralized system with vents throughout the house, designed to cool your entire home.
  Not sure? Just describe it—something like “a wall unit with an outdoor box” tells us it’s a split system.

2. What’s the size or power of your AC?
Check the label or manual for numbers like BTUs (e.g., 10,000 BTU) or wattage (e.g., 1,200W). If you know the model number, even better.
Example: A window unit might run at 10,000 BTU, while a split system could be rated at 12,000 BTU.

3. What area does it cool?
Estimate the square footage the unit cools.
Is it a single room (e.g., 200 sq. ft.), a larger living space (e.g., 500 sq. ft.), or your entire home (e.g., 2,000 sq. ft.)?
If you’ve got a split or ducted system, let us know if you’re cooling just a few rooms or the whole house.

4. How often do you run your AC?

• Do you only use it in the evenings for a few hours?

• Half the day, maybe during peak heat hours?

• Or is it running most of the day or even 24/7?
  And how often throughout the year? Is it just in summer, or do you use it most months?
  Example: “I use my window AC about 5 hours every evening during summer.”

5. What other appliances are in regular use?
This helps us estimate your full power needs beyond just AC.
Common examples: “Fridge runs nonstop. Lights and TV are on for about 4 hours a day. We use a small water pump, too.”

With your answers, we’ll get a clear view of your energy needs and be able to recommend a solar setup that matches your lifestyle—keeping you cool and powered up, even off the grid. Let’s break down the types of AC systems next, so you can better understand how they impact solar sizing.