Energy efficient appliances I use for off grid solar

Рет қаралды 21,030

Күн бұрын

In this video I go into detail on the exact energy efficient appliances I use for my off grid solar system. These energy efficient appliances work great to help you use less of your battery storage overnight. Energy efficient appliances are critical to being able to remain off grid on solar and battery storage only. I go into detail on the rheem hybrid water heater, the GE all in one combo heat pump washer/dryer, the EG4 9k BTU mini split, the Mr. Cool 24k BTU mini split, and the Nuwave 2 burner induction cooktop.
For links to where you can purchase these appliances go to my website at:
unpluggedtexan.com
click on the "Recommended Equipment" tab
To download a wiring diagram pdf that goes into detail on all the equipment I used including every part I used for the install go to:
solarpdfdownload.com
This pdf is 100% free
For more info on the solar ebook I wrote go to:
solar-ebook.com
Here's affiliate links that will take you directly to each appliance I recommend in this video:
Rheem hybrid heat pump water heater
tinyurl.com/yx339z7x
GE all in one heat pump washer/dryer
amzn.to/3V5nOEr
Mr Cool 24k BTU mini split air conditioner / heater
tinyurl.com/mx9zrwfj
EG4 9k BTU mini split air conditioner / heater
tinyurl.com/2ww92e9r
Use the discount code UNPLUGGEDTEXAN50 to get $50 off
EG4 24k BTU mini split solar air conditioner / heater
tinyurl.com/ypcasm6u
Use the discount code UNPLUGGEDTEXAN50 to get $50 off.
Nuwave 2 burner induction cooktop
amzn.to/3K3n3Gu
FTC Disclosure Statement and Disclaimers: Some links on this youtube (or other) channel may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these. My videos are for educational purposes only. Information is subject to change/update at any time. Electricity is DANGEROUS and can kill you! An electrician is recommended when working with both AC and DC electricity. This KZfaq (or other) channel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

Пікірлер: 59

@mark_osborne 8 күн бұрын

That EG4 efficiency is remarkable !

@Electronzap 21 күн бұрын

Good tips. Always look for efficiency. Most of the day I just need a USB 5V fan blowing on me to stay cool enough, whereas I used to run the window unit all day when it was warm. I watch movies and TV shows that I downloaded on my kindle and plug my laptop into my smallest solar generator when the power goes out, instead of powering my TV and PS4. I buy a certain amount of food that can quickly be heated in a microwave. Cover the small stuff first and there's a good chance you'll realize that you can go without the big stuff for longer than you thought.

@slomotrainwreck 16 күн бұрын

Dude I completely agree with covering the small stuff 1st, it's kept me from overspending on the big nice-to-have things. 👍

@slugbyte 22 күн бұрын

I really like the EG4 hybrid mini split, I have 4 solar panels connected to it and cools very well. My next house I'm going to build will be all electric off grid, I'm going to use an electric cooktop and a large air fryer combo oven. I have propane at my current place and off grid with the EG4 6000xp and EG4 battery rack with 6 batteries. No issues and highly recommend especially in the Caribbean

@arlenekufchock1394 15 күн бұрын

Great to hear of new components. Please keep reviewing the cycle time of the all in one washer / dry through the next seasons summer, spring, fall, winter. Tell us the cycle time on a humid day vs dryer day, etc. Then that will be a really useful review, thanks!

@danielking2944 21 күн бұрын

Mini split heat pumps really are a good off ramp from the huge central air conditioning system. A lot of the houses built in the past in Texas tended to be one story,long front, not very deep front to back. The ductwork in the attic runs in a very hot environment so it is a big drain on efficiency. The best ductwork is no ductwork at all.

@yv7584 21 күн бұрын

I can't thank enough for that pdf you created. it's simple and easy to read.

@demitaylor8873 3 күн бұрын

Thanks!!! You reminded me of cooking unit forgot I had used in the past!!!!

@michaelschiessl8357 22 күн бұрын

Great video Brian im very interested in those Nu-wave induction cooktops or similar ...sounds like you've had great experiences with those thanks for sharing this info.👍👍

@Bobrogers99 19 күн бұрын

Heat pumps for all heating and cooling tasks are the most efficient way to go, even for us who are staying on the grid. For those of us who live in the north, the newer heat pumps can keep your house warm through most of the winter, though some backup is helpful during extreme cold. A good quality, full sized induction cooktop burner is expensive, but it can be fast and energy-efficient. The biggest problem with all of these is the availability of repair. There are not enough technicians trained to do the job, and sometimes parts are hard to obtain. That will improve in time, but meanwhile you have to hope that nothing will go wrong or you have to learn to do the repair yourself.

@jtmg11 16 күн бұрын

Yes everything you mention is true. I would add that keeping very clean air in the environment surrounding all the heat pumps as being a key to their longevity.

@billybethel 12 күн бұрын

I have solar and I fill my own propane tanks too

@MikeBCG 12 күн бұрын

Bio gas can be a good alternative to propane and can be completely self generated

@OffgridApartment 21 күн бұрын

Check out impulse labs. They’re coming to market this year with an induction cooktop with a built in battery that will let you cook in it 3 or so times without power and also speed boil water by dumping 10kw into a burner if you need that. Best part is it can slow charge on 110v socket.

@ZombiePumps 10 күн бұрын

I’m going to get 1000’ of 1/2” black poly tubing and strap to my roof for hot water with an on demand 12v pump for the shower and kitchen sink.

@joeychavez5059 16 күн бұрын

Can’t wait to see what you think of that 18kpv when you switch. Thanks for all the info.

@mrwayneright 10 күн бұрын

I did a deep dive on efficiency for cooking a while back, looking into the new efficiency standards that many say are designed to kill gas cooktops... Anyway, I DID find that induction is fairly efficient if all the government numbers are right. A FULL size cooktop is expensive but a single burner or two is not so costly. They do enable cooking with electricity with solar PV, something not so cost effective before. Electric oven maybe not so much if you want to bake, etc. I also hear the Instant pressure cooker pot, internally IS INDUCTION also. Interesting. I can pressure cook a roast for 60-75 min, and use only ~500w start to finish for a complete entre. My NG cooktop works fine, but Induction might be OK. Like another commenter said, IMPULSE labs has a crazy induction system with inverter and batteries AT THE COOKTOP. Not cheap but amazing performance. Take a look.

@benc1927 21 күн бұрын

I don't know what it is... but you remind me of what Tom Green's big brother would look like. Greetings from the Republic of Texas.

@realvanman1 20 күн бұрын

The battery voltage should also be the utilization voltage, and as much equipment as possible should run directly at battery voltage. No obsession with Alternating Current.

@capodad2u 13 күн бұрын

How about an electric Aga oven/range? And a diesel heater?

@WanderingTuckers 22 күн бұрын

I had not heard of a heat pump washer/dryer... Dang, I just bought a new gas dryer.

@danielking2944 21 күн бұрын

I will likely buy a heat pump water heater the next time I need to replace one. In the meantime,I put the 240 v elements in series so the load is cut in half. Uses the same amount of energy but takes twice as long to heat up. With 3500W elements, the inverter only has to supply 1750W. Since the top thermostat controls the whole tank,instead of switching to the bottom element,it turns on the next water heater on my system. The cold water enters the last heater in the sequence so ,in effect ,the second unit functions like the bottom element in a conventional water heater. The reduced current allows the system to run on #12 wire also saving on the investment in red gold.

@unpluggedtexan 21 күн бұрын

That’s smart. 👍

@unionse7en 21 күн бұрын

peeps rarely consider that if you are heating the inside of your space where the hybrid water heater is with an even (probably) more efficient mini split.... you are taking advantage of that heating efficiency.the COP of the WH is less than the latest mini splits most likely.. so the net COP is somewhere in between.. but we are still way ahead of the game. Use smarts to only heat during solar hours to the highest temps...might want to use elec elements near end of day to peak the temp right before solar diminishes.

@unpluggedtexan 21 күн бұрын

Yep that’s exactly how I use my water heater. On sunny days once my batteries are full I’ll kick the water heater up to its max setting of 140 degrees and use the heating elements to give the heat pump a rest.

@stedyone1090 6 күн бұрын

My Gree mini split is 38 SEER

@unpluggedtexan 6 күн бұрын

That’s incredible. Wish they had a diy version. It costs a fortune to hire an HVAC guy to install them now.

@NeverTakeNoShortcuts 20 күн бұрын

Well, in Texas, sure. The sun shines when it's hottest when you can run A/C. In the north, you have to use non-solar sources in the winter. No way there is enough sun to heat, not even close.

@vinnyareid 10 күн бұрын

I'm concerned about the induction cooktop on top of the metal stove. Isn't it better placing them on a wooden surface

@unpluggedtexan 10 күн бұрын

They’re very safe. I’ve never had an issue with them on my stove top or on the counter.

@WanderingTuckers 22 күн бұрын

Are convection ovens a lot more efficient than element ones?

@unpluggedtexan 22 күн бұрын

Not really. They save maybe 20%. So not game changing.

@jasonhermosilla9064 22 күн бұрын

I have 3 ton unit Central AC Bosch IDS2.0 20.5 seer Im very curious if I can run it with an 18kpv with an appropriate number of panels. Great video btw....taking notes. Im also from texas

@corba197 22 күн бұрын

A "soft start" unit added to your hvac might help with the startup surge, thus allowing the 12kW max output of your inverter to survive the current crunch when the heat pump starts.

@jasonhermosilla9064 22 күн бұрын

@@corba197 i cant...its already a full inverter not a staged system. From my understanding it's almost like it has a "soft start" already. You can educate me if I'm wrong

@AlfredBakovich-ms5dt 10 минут бұрын

Engineer777 makes the Bosh work on a five ton inverter

@terryrodbourn2793 18 күн бұрын

You should being use a bas Mac M3 Mac mini because that Arm chip only take minuscule power!

@unclegeorge7845 17 күн бұрын

What's the difference cost per BTU on your hot water tank between the heat pump and the resistance elements?

@unpluggedtexan 17 күн бұрын

I haven’t calculated the exact cost. But if I run on heating elements only I use about 8-9 kwh’s per day. When using the heat pump mode only I use between 3-5 kwh’s per day. The big difference for me is the lower running watts.

@unclegeorge7845 17 күн бұрын

@@unpluggedtexan Thanks.

@SD-it8nj 22 күн бұрын

Does EG4 14.3 W 280AH indoor battery compatible with SolarEdge?

@unpluggedtexan 22 күн бұрын

I’m not sure. I don’t have experience with SolarEdge. Reach out to signature solar to ask that question.

@iwfaucotmpaiwku Күн бұрын

Be careful. In many cases it is less expensive to just increase your solar system. I can run a traditional electric hot water heater, AC, well pump and the entire house even off batteries only. It wasn’t too bad money wise either. Geothermal alone would have cost more than my entire solar array and batteries.

@scotthall1381 21 күн бұрын

Don’t you have EGR 18k as well?

@unpluggedtexan 21 күн бұрын

I do. I’m about to swap out the Sol-Ark with the EG4 18k PV to start testing it.

@scotthall1381 21 күн бұрын

@@unpluggedtexan AH ok I though you were going to combine the system

@magicsenior4185 3 күн бұрын

You can produce Hydrogen your solar can produce

@seandittrich9676 21 күн бұрын

When you live off grid, you don't need clean cloths. You just stay stinky.

@unpluggedtexan 21 күн бұрын

Lol

@terrellstewart4071 2 күн бұрын

If your attached to the grid your not offgrid. These are things you do to lower your bill not sustain you off grid.

@unpluggedtexan 2 күн бұрын

Those actually are the things I’ve done so I don’t need the grid when it finally becomes too expensive to use or becomes to unreliable to depend on.

@chrisferrell6159 15 күн бұрын

Saving money sure sounds expensive. I bet you spent $500k on that stuff.

@unpluggedtexan 15 күн бұрын

While home solar system with energy storage was $35k. I spent around $7k on the energy efficient appliances. But I installed all of them myself which saved at least another $5k. We just had a thunderstorm knock out all power in our area for 6 hours. For me it was like it never even happened. I still had everything running including air conditioning.

@jackehli621 21 күн бұрын

Why do you call it "off grid"? You deceive,,, If you are connected, are NOT off grid pal.

@unpluggedtexan 21 күн бұрын

Because if I wanted to I could hand my meter back to the electric company. As I’m typing this I’m not using any electricity from the power company. I rarely do. I only have the grid connection because it’s the cheapest form of backup power. That’s like saying someone isn’t really off grid if they have a generator for backup (which everyone does). I deceive? I’m very clear about what I’m doing. And if my power company ever raises my fixed “meter fee” to the point it’s cheaper to run my generator as backup then I’ll go that route.

@jray831 21 күн бұрын

But if his system isn't drawing from the grid then I think it counts I wish US would require power companies buy surplus from people that have solar systems

@ethernet01 19 күн бұрын

still connected to the grid, not using the grid the lights are running off grid at night

@user-dt3sq7rw3b 4 күн бұрын

In many parts of the country if grid is available, you must be connected or the sheriff will have to declare it illegal for habitation. He did say he has generators. But also said the grid is cheapest backup