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Use this chart to estimate how much power your appliances use when sizing an inverter (running and surge watts) and how much energy they use when sizing solar panels and batteries (daily kWh). Values are typical ranges; always check your appliance’s label or measure it with a plug-in energy meter.
Load calculation worksheet
Estimates use the formulas explained in this guide. Plan a complete system with the all-in-one calculator →
How to read this chart
- Running watts: power drawn while operating. This determines inverter size.
- Surge watts: brief start-up spike for motors and compressors. Your inverter’s surge rating must cover the largest one.
- Typical daily kWh: energy based on common usage. This determines panels and batteries.
Kitchen
| Appliance | Running watts | Surge watts | Typical daily kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator (modern, 18–21 cu ft) | 100 – 200 | 600 – 1,200 | 1.0 – 1.5 |
| Chest freezer (7 cu ft) | 60 – 100 | 400 – 700 | 0.5 – 0.8 |
| Microwave (1,000 W cooking power) | 1,300 – 1,600 | – | 0.2 – 0.4 |
| Electric kettle | 1,500 – 3,000 | – | 0.2 – 0.4 |
| Coffee maker (drip) | 800 – 1,200 | – | 0.3 – 0.5 |
| Toaster | 800 – 1,500 | – | 0.05 – 0.1 |
| Induction hob (one zone) | 1,200 – 2,000 | – | 1.0 – 2.0 |
| Electric oven | 2,000 – 5,000 | – | 1.0 – 2.5 |
| Dishwasher (with heating) | 1,200 – 2,400 | – | 1.0 – 1.5 per load |
| Blender | 300 – 1,000 | 600 – 1,500 | 0.02 |
| Rice cooker | 500 – 700 | – | 0.2 – 0.4 |
Heating and cooling
| Appliance | Running watts | Surge watts | Typical daily kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ceiling fan | 30 – 75 | – | 0.3 – 0.8 |
| Pedestal fan | 40 – 60 | – | 0.3 – 0.5 |
| 5,000 BTU window AC | 450 – 500 | 1,200 – 1,500 | 2 – 4 (8 h) |
| 10,000 BTU window AC | 850 – 1,000 | 2,500 – 3,000 | 4 – 7 (8 h) |
| 1.5 ton inverter split AC | 700 – 1,800 | low | 6 – 9 (8 h) |
| 12,000 BTU mini-split (inverter) | 500 – 1,200 | low | 4 – 8 (8 h) |
| Space heater | 750 – 1,500 | – | 6 – 12 (8 h) |
| Dehumidifier (50 pint) | 400 – 700 | 800 – 1,200 | 3 – 6 |
| Electric blanket | 60 – 100 | – | 0.3 – 0.6 |
Laundry and cleaning
| Appliance | Running watts | Surge watts | Typical daily kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washing machine (cold wash) | 400 – 600 | 1,000 – 2,000 | 0.3 – 0.5 per load |
| Washing machine (hot wash) | 1,800 – 2,500 | – | 1.5 – 2.5 per load |
| Electric clothes dryer | 2,000 – 5,500 | – | 2.5 – 4 per load |
| Clothes iron | 1,000 – 1,800 | – | 0.2 – 0.4 |
| Vacuum cleaner | 600 – 1,400 | 1,000 – 2,000 | 0.1 – 0.3 |
Electronics and office
| Appliance | Running watts | Surge watts | Typical daily kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| LED bulb | 6 – 12 | – | 0.03 – 0.06 each |
| LED TV, 43–55 inch | 50 – 120 | – | 0.25 – 0.6 |
| Laptop | 30 – 90 | – | 0.2 – 0.5 |
| Desktop PC + monitor | 100 – 400 | – | 0.5 – 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi router | 6 – 15 | – | 0.15 – 0.35 |
| Starlink Standard | 50 – 100 | – | 1.2 – 2.0 |
| Phone charger | 5 – 20 | – | 0.01 – 0.05 |
| CPAP (no humidifier) | 30 – 60 | – | 0.25 – 0.5 (8 h) |
Pumps, tools and outdoors
| Appliance | Running watts | Surge watts | Typical daily kWh |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 HP well pump | 750 – 1,000 | 2,000 – 3,000 | 1 – 2 |
| 1 HP well pump | 1,000 – 1,500 | 3,000 – 4,500 | 1.5 – 3 |
| Sump pump (1/3 HP) | 400 – 800 | 1,200 – 2,000 | 0.2 – 1 |
| Circular saw | 1,200 – 1,500 | 2,500 – 3,500 | intermittent |
| Air compressor (1 HP) | 1,000 – 1,600 | 3,000 – 4,000 | intermittent |
| EV charger, Level 2 | 3,800 – 11,500 | – | 6 – 15 |
| Electric water heater (tank) | 3,000 – 4,500 | – | 8 – 14 |
| Heat pump water heater | 400 – 600 | – | 3 – 5 |
How to calculate your own daily total
- Multiply each appliance’s running watts by its hours of use per day to get watt-hours.
- For cycling appliances (fridges, freezers, ACs), multiply by a duty cycle, typically 30 to 50% for fridges and 50 to 80% for ACs in hot weather.
- Add all watt-hours together and divide by 1,000 for kWh.
Our off-grid load calculation worksheet walks through this step by step. Then enter the total in the solar calculator.
How to use this chart for a solar plan: an example
A family picks the appliances they want to run off-grid and builds a mini table:
| Appliance | Running W | Hours | Daily Wh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | – | – | 1,300 |
| Chest freezer | – | – | 650 |
| 6 LED bulbs | 54 | 5 | 270 |
| 3 ceiling fans | 180 | 10 | 1,800 |
| Router + TV | 110 | 5 | 550 |
| Washing machine (cold, 1 load) | – | – | 400 |
| Total | 4,970 Wh |
Peak simultaneous load (fans, lights, TV, fridge running, washer spin): about 1,100 W, with fridge start-up surge on top. Results: about 5 kWh per day, a 2 kW inverter, and in a 5-sun-hour location 5,000 × 1.1 ÷ 4 = about 1.4 kW of panels. See off-grid load calculation.
Standby (phantom) loads to watch
| Device | Typical standby |
|---|---|
| TV with quick start | 10 – 20 W |
| Game console in rest mode | 10 – 15 W |
| Satellite/cable box | 15 – 30 W |
| Microwave clock | 2 – 5 W |
| Desktop PC (sleep) | 2 – 5 W |
| Smart speaker | 2 – 4 W |
Together these can add 1 to 2 kWh per day, enough to need an extra panel off-grid.
FAQ
How do I find the exact wattage of an appliance?
Check the rating plate (often on the back or inside the door). If it lists only amps and volts, multiply them: 5 A × 120 V = 600 W. A plug-in energy meter gives the most accurate real-world figure.
Why is surge important?
An inverter that can run 1,000 W continuously may still trip if a pump needs 3,000 W for half a second to start. See inverter surge vs continuous.
Which appliances are hardest to run on solar?
Anything that heats with electric resistance (water heaters, dryers, ovens, space heaters) and large air conditioners. See space heater on solar and water heater on solar.
How many watts does a house use per day?
Typical US homes use about 25 to 30 kWh per day; efficient homes 10 to 15 kWh. UK and German homes average about 8 to 10 kWh, Australian homes about 15 to 20 kWh and Canadian homes about 25 to 30 kWh.
What is the difference between running watts and starting watts?
Running watts are what an appliance draws while operating; starting watts are the brief spike when a motor starts.
Related guides
- How Many Watts Does a Refrigerator Use? (Running, Surge and kWh)
- How Many Watts Does a Ceiling Fan Use? (and Running It on Solar)
- How Many Watts Does a TV Use? (By Size and Type)
- Can You Run a Coffee Maker on an Inverter? (Wattage and Battery Use)
Sources and further reading
- ENERGY STAR: efficiency ratings and energy use of certified appliances.
- U.S. DOE Energy Saver: Energy-Saving Kitchen Tips: energy use of cooking appliances.
- U.S. EIA: How Much Electricity Does an American Home Use?: average household use, about 10,800 kWh a year.