hvac transformers vampire load

gtojohn · 03-28-15, 09:43 AM

Ive been thinking about this lately but havent put a meter on any to confirm. The average gaa furnac . Xfrmer is rated at 40va, air handlers are usually 60va if theres a zone control teir might be another Xfrmer too. Since i have 2 hvacs my units cpuld be using 80 watts just sitting there 24/7 waiting on thermostat . Im pretty sure 1 40va Xfrmer should be enough to run both which could yield some easy daily power savings. My other thought would be a line voltage master thermostat to turn off the systems when the house is in the butter zone of comfort. I have a slightly more ambitious plan instead. Solar powering the Xfrmers. Not sure if the control boards will allow this power to be different from house power and equipment power and phasing. I recently picked up a 20 watt panel and charge controller. I might try to pair it with a sla battery and tiny inverter i have. Hopefully i won't smoke the control board.

03-28-15, 09:43 AM	#1
gtojohn Journeyman EcoRenovator Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 314 Thanks: 39 Thanked 50 Times in 45 Posts	hvac transformers vampire load Ive been thinking about this lately but havent put a meter on any to confirm. The average gaa furnac . Xfrmer is rated at 40va, air handlers are usually 60va if theres a zone control teir might be another Xfrmer too. Since i have 2 hvacs my units cpuld be using 80 watts just sitting there 24/7 waiting on thermostat . Im pretty sure 1 40va Xfrmer should be enough to run both which could yield some easy daily power savings. My other thought would be a line voltage master thermostat to turn off the systems when the house is in the butter zone of comfort. I have a slightly more ambitious plan instead. Solar powering the Xfrmers. Not sure if the control boards will allow this power to be different from house power and equipment power and phasing. I recently picked up a 20 watt panel and charge controller. I might try to pair it with a sla battery and tiny inverter i have. Hopefully i won't smoke the control board.