How to Choose the Best Inverter with Battery for Your Home in Nigeria
We rely on electricity now more than ever, and this dependency is expected to grow with more technological advances. With this heavy electricity demand, frequent power cuts can be a considerable inconvenience, disrupting our daily activities. That’s why many homeowners are looking for a good-quality inverter with batteries to combat power cuts. If you’re looking for an inverter with a battery for your home but don’t know where to start, this guide will help you.
How to Choose the Best Inverter for Home
Calculate Your Power Requirements
Choosing an inverter with a battery involves some research. You must consider your power needs before picking any inverter. Every appliance runs on a certain amount of power, measured in watts. To determine your power requirement, add up the energy consumed by all the appliances you want to use during a power cut.
If calculating this seems complex or you’re not sure about your appliances’ power consumption, you can use a load calculator to make it easier.
Check the Inverter’s VA Rating
After calculating your total power requirements, the next step is to determine the inverter’s VA rating. VA stands for Volt Ampere and measures the power supplied to your appliances. To calculate the VA rating, divide your power requirement by the power factor (usually 0.8). For example, if your power requirement is 800 watts, divide 800 by 0.8 to get a VA rating of 1000.
Tips to Choose an Inverter Battery
An inverter relies on its battery for power, so choosing the correct battery is essential for a steady power supply during outages. Here are some tips to help you choose the best battery for your inverter:
Find the Ideal Inverter Battery Capacity
Your ideal battery capacity depends on your power requirements, VA rating, and backup hours. We’ve already discussed how to calculate power requirements and the VA rating. Now, let’s talk about backup hours, which is the duration for which your inverter needs to supply power during an outage. Multiply your power requirement by the desired backup hours and then divide by the battery voltage (usually 12V).
For example, if your power requirement is 550 watts and you need a 3-hour backup, the calculation would be:
550 watts * 3 hours / 12V = 137.5 Ah
Choose a battery with a capacity close to this number. In this case, a 150 Ah battery would be ideal.
Which Type of Inverter Battery is Best for a Home?
For homes in Nigeria, there are generally two types of batteries to consider:
- Lead-acid batteries are affordable and widely available. They require regular maintenance, including topping up with distilled water.
- Lithium-Ion Batteries: These are more expensive but have a longer lifespan and require less maintenance. They are also more efficient and compact.
How to Choose the Best Inverter for Your Home
When choosing the best inverter for your home, consider the following factors:
- Power Requirements: Calculate the total power consumption of all appliances you want to run during an outage.
- VA Rating: Ensure the inverter has a suitable VA rating to handle your power needs.
- Type of Battery: Choose between lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries based on your budget and maintenance preferences.
- Size of Inverter: Make sure the inverter size matches your power requirements and available space.
How to Choose a Battery for an Inverter
- Capacity: As calculated earlier, ensure the battery capacity (in Ah) meets your power requirements and backup hours.
- Type: Decide between lead-acid and lithium-ion based on your needs.
- Brand and Warranty: Choose reputable brands with good warranty coverage.
What is the Best Size Inverter for a House?
The best size inverter for your house depends on your total power requirements. For example, a typical Nigerian household with essential appliances might need an inverter with a capacity of around 1000 VA to 2000 VA.
Do you still need help choosing a suitable inverter and battery?
We understand that choosing the best inverter and battery can be complex. Why not opt for an inverter-battery combo? These combinations are designed to ensure compatibility and optimal performance. At Luminous, we offer a wide range of inverter and battery combos to meet your power needs. Visit our website to explore our products and services.
