AC is the biggest load most homes in Port Harcourt want on solar. The type of AC you have changes everything.
Two kinds of AC
- Normal AC (non-inverter): runs at full power, then stops, then starts again. Every start is a big kick.
- Inverter AC: starts softly, runs fast to cool the room, then slows down and keeps the room cool with less power.
Side by side (1.5HP)
| Normal AC | Inverter AC | |
|---|---|---|
| Start-up surge | Very big | Small |
| Running power | About 1.1 to 1.5kW, on/off | Varies, often 0.7 to 0.9kW average |
| Energy for 8 hours | About 9 to 11kWh | About 6 to 8kWh |
| Inverter size needed | Bigger | 5kVA can handle one |
| Battery needed | More | Less |
Why the start-up kick matters
When a normal AC starts, it can pull several times its running power for a second or two. A small solar inverter may trip. That is why a 3kVA system often fails with a normal AC.
Why the night use matters
Your battery runs the AC at night. If your AC uses 10kWh instead of 7kWh, you need about 3kWh more battery. At roughly ₦220,000 per kWh, that is a big difference.
What to do
- If you are buying a new AC, buy inverter type.
- Set it to 24–25°C, not 16°C.
- Close doors and windows. Use curtains.
- Clean the filters every month. Dirty filters waste power.
Local tip
In GRA Port Harcourt and Asaba duplexes, we often see two old normal ACs. Swapping them for inverter ACs can cut the battery you need by a lot. That can pay for the new ACs.
More in can solar power an AC and can solar run a 2HP AC.
