Domestic Energy Consumption
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Domestic energy consumption is the amount of energy that is spent on the different appliances used within housing. In an average household in a temperate climate, the yearly use of electricity is composed as follows:
| Average domestic energy consumption per household in temperate climates | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area heating | 12000 kW·h/a (1400 W) | |||
| Hot water | 3000 kW·h/a (340 W) | |||
| Cooling/refrigeration | 1200 kW·h/a (140 W) | |||
| Lighting | 1200 kW·h/a (140 W) | |||
| Washing and drying | 1000 kW·h/a (110 W) | |||
| Cooking | 1000 kW·h/a (110 W) | |||
| Miscellaneous electric load | 600 kW·h/a (70 W) | |||
Note that for households in the developing world these overview data are incorrect (area heating almost reduced to zero, and less and different consumption of energy).
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[edit] Daily domestic energy consumption
Below, fairly accurate estimates are noted for a general private home in the temperate climate. In addition, rough equations are noted about the energy requirements for homes in the (sub)tropical climates. The latter however may not be as accurate as the starting numbers have been derived from a table for the temperate climates. They however give a rough idea. Finally, it should be noted that the latter equations do not differentiate between subtropical climates and tropical climates; again some differences may be present here as well, translating in an even greater margin of error. However, the numbers are only designed to give a general indication and in this they will likely succeed.
[edit] In temperate climates
As can be seen from the table above, a private home in a temperate climate generally needs around 20,000 kilowatt-hours per year (20000 kW·h/a, or 2 kW) to fulfill in its energy needs.
[edit] In (sub)tropical climates
As can be seen from the table, a private home in a subtropical climate generally needs around 8000 kW·h/a (1 kW) to fulfill in its energy needs.
[edit] Domestic electricity consumption
Other than the domestic energy consumption, the domestic electricity consumption is the amount of electricity is used within the home. Space heating apparatus that work on other energy sources (eg gas, wood from gas stoves, gas heaters, wood burners, ...) are thus not included. The electricity consumption needs to be known to be able to calculate the electricity one needs to generate to create a off-the-grid system.
[edit] Amount and size of powerplants required
As stated, for practical (off-the-grid microgeneration) use, rather than the domestic energy requirements, the domestic electricity requirements need to be taken.
[edit] Amount of solar panels required
According to documents by Practical Action, and according to Microgeneration.com, the power generated by solar panels is about 10 watts per square metre of solar collector (10 W/m²).
Depending on the location where the panels are employed (tropics or temperate climates), more or less area is required.
