How many watts does central air use?

Question

I know, I know - it all depends on the size of the unit, the size of the house, the efficiency of the unit, yada yada yada. Just give me an average - my unit is brand new. This question involves reducing my energy consumption by installation of solar. I don't intend to connect to the grid because the cost then exceeds the benefit. I don't intend to connect the air conditioner to solar because of energy demand. I intend to to run part of my house on solar, off grid, so that I get my bill under the highest California rates. Then I can run my A/C for less than $.34 per KWH.

Answer 1

Somewhere around 10-20 kWh per hour

Answer 2

You should have put more thought in before installing the central air unit. This is a better solution to central air: http://www.mrslim.com/Products/userSpecific.asp?Commercial=0

Or you could have just got a couple of small window units. Even three of them would be under $300 all together and run on a fraction of the cost of a central unit.

Answer 3

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RE:
How many watts does central air use?
I know, I know - it all depends on the size of the unit, the size of the house, the efficiency of the unit, yada yada yada. Just give me an average - my unit is brand new. This question involves reducing my energy consumption by installation of solar. I don't intend to connect to the grid...

Answer 4

Mine uses about 5,000 watts. That is about the same as my electric oven. But I have 2, one for upstairs and one for down. It is a pretty big house. So I use 10,000 watts to run both at the same time (which is often, but not always).

Answer 5

It looks impossible not to connect to grid. If you just connect the solar panel plus inverter to your power line in the house then you are connected to the grid. Since all the power line are connected. Unless you want to have a separated power line only for solar power during the daytime and you can not use this power line at night time.