How to Calculate the Right Inverter Capacity for Your Home in Nigeria
If you’ve ever invested in an inverter that couldn’t power your basic appliances during an outage, you know how frustrating it can be. Choosing the right inverter capacity is one of the most important steps to enjoying uninterrupted power supply at home.
At Arise Energies, we help homeowners across Nigeria select and install inverters that perfectly match their energy needs. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to calculate the correct inverter capacity for your home, so you get reliable backup power without overspending.
Why Inverter Capacity Matters
An inverter’s capacity determines how many appliances it can run and for how long. If the capacity is too low, your inverter will overload and trip off. If it’s too high, you may spend more than necessary on equipment you don’t fully use.
Step 1: List the Appliances You Want to Power
Start by writing down the appliances you want your inverter to support during a power outage. For example:
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4 LED bulbs (10W each) = 40W
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1 TV (120W)
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1 Fan (75W)
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1 Refrigerator (200W)
Step 2: Calculate the Total Wattage
Add up the wattage of all the appliances:
This is your total power consumption in watts.
Step 3: Convert Watts to VA (Volt-Ampere)
Inverters are rated in VA (Volt-Ampere), not watts. To convert:
In Nigeria, the power factor for most household appliances is around 0.8.
So:
Step 4: Choose the Next Higher Inverter Rating
It’s always best to choose an inverter with slightly more capacity than your calculation, to allow for efficiency losses and future additions.
In this case, the nearest standard size would be:
0.8kVA or 800VA inverter (but most homes go for 1kVA to 1.5kVA for extra flexibility).
Step 5: Match with the Right Battery Bank
Your inverter capacity is only as good as your battery storage. To determine battery size:
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Multiply your total wattage by the number of hours you want backup power.
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Divide by your battery voltage (usually 12V or 24V).
For example:
You’ll need at least a 200Ah battery for 5 hours of backup at this load.
Extra Tips for Accurate Sizing
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Always account for starting (surge) power of appliances like fridges and ACs.
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If you plan to add more appliances later, choose a higher capacity from the start.
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Work with a trusted dealer like Arise Energies for accurate load audits and professional installation.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right inverter capacity for your home is the first step to enjoying reliable, uninterrupted power supply. With the correct calculation, you’ll save money, protect your appliances, and avoid the frustration of overload shutdowns.
At Arise Energies, we specialize in matching customers with high-quality inverters, batteries, and solar systems that meet their specific needs.
📞 Call us today to get a free load audit and expert advice on your perfect inverter setup.