{"id":6930,"date":"2026-03-12T12:11:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T10:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wattium.fi\/power-and-energy\/"},"modified":"2026-03-17T08:51:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T06:51:16","slug":"power-and-energy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wattium.fi\/en\/power-and-energy\/","title":{"rendered":"Power and energy"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Features” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f7f7f7″ custom_padding=”30px||30px||true|false” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”6c653385-9c8e-4ced-a0fc-111872f489af” header_font=”Lato|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”48px” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_text_color=”#000000″ text_orientation=”center” max_width=”900px” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||12px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” header_font_tablet=”Roboto|700|||||||” header_font_phone=”Roboto|700|||||||” header_font_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_font_size_tablet=”” header_font_size_phone=”28px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

What are power and energy?<\/h1>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_font_size=”17px” header_3_font=”Lato||||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#000000″ header_3_font_size=”18px” header_3_line_height=”1.5em” max_width=”850px” custom_margin=”0px|||0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px||false|false” header_3_font_size_tablet=”18px” header_3_font_size_phone=”17px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”margin:auto;” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Two concepts that determine the sizing of an off-grid system – and one phenomenon that is often overlooked.<\/h3>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”\u26a1 Power” image_icon_width=”26px” icon_alignment=”left” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ image_icon_custom_margin=”18px||-40px||false|false” min_height=”127px” custom_margin=”-43px|14px|-43px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_tablet=”-43px|14px|-43px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_phone=”7px||7px||true|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”20px||20px|9px|true|false” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical=”4px” box_shadow_blur=”12px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.08)” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

How much electricity the appliance needs right now (W).<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”\ud83d\udd0b Energy” image_icon_width=”26px” icon_alignment=”left” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ image_icon_custom_margin=”18px||-40px||false|false” min_height=”127px” custom_margin=”-43px|14px|-43px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_tablet=”-43px|14px|-43px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_phone=”7px||7px||true|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”20px||20px|9px|true|false” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical=”4px” box_shadow_blur=”12px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.08)” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

How much electricity is consumed over time (kWh).<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”\ud83d\ude80 Start-up spike” image_icon_width=”26px” icon_alignment=”left” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”|700|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ image_icon_custom_margin=”18px||-40px||false|false” min_height=”127px” custom_margin=”-43px|14px|-43px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_tablet=”-43px|14px|-43px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_phone=”7px||7px||true|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”20px||20px|9px|true|false” border_radii=”on|8px|8px|8px|8px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_vertical=”4px” box_shadow_blur=”12px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.08)” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Many devices need several times more power at a time.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Why is this important off-grid?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”17px” custom_padding=”|31px|0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

In an off-grid system, it is not enough to know how much electricity is consumed per day.
It is equally important to understand how much instantaneous power the equipment needs.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/wattium.fi\/en\/experiences-with-new\/” button_text=”See practical examples” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Lue lis\u00e4\u00e4” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”9b5b3128-9c50-4e35-b070-aa34caae5fea” button_border_radius=”30px” custom_margin=”30px|||50px|false|false” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”30px||30px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”17px” custom_padding=”|31px|0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Home electrical appliances have two characteristics that are most important for off-grid use: power and energy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Once you understand these two things, you will know how to choose the right equipment and size your system correctly.<\/p>\n

It is therefore important to distinguish between:<\/p>\n

– instantaneous power (W)<\/strong>
– energy<\/strong> accumulated over time (kWh)<\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Miksi valita Wattium?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”0afea3b8-b43a-416d-8649-55a1ccf58b49″ header_2_font=”Lato||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”34px” header_4_font=”Roboto Mono|700||on|||||” header_4_text_color=”#000000″ header_4_font_size=”14px” custom_margin=”26px||-18px||false|false” header_2_font_size_tablet=”” header_2_font_size_phone=”22px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Electricity<\/span><\/h2>\n

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The unit of electrical power is <\/span>watt (W)<\/strong>. It tells you how much electricity the device is using at that moment. <\/span>
This information can usually be found on the bottom of the device, in the user manual or in the product information.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_font_size=”18px” background_color=”rgba(239,224,172,0.28)” custom_margin=”15px||15px||true|false” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” border_width_left=”4px” border_color_left=”#FC9569″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Power (W) = Voltage (V) \u00d7 Current (A) <\/strong><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Think of electricity as water” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”17px” custom_padding=”|31px|0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

One of the easiest ways to understand power is to compare electricity to a water pipe.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||33px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”J\u00c4NNITE (V)” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#0C71C3″ image_icon_width=”26px” icon_alignment=”left” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#E06100″ image_icon_custom_margin=”18px||-40px||false|false” min_height=”221px” custom_margin=”-39px|14px|-39px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_tablet=”-39px|14px|-39px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_phone=”6px|14px|6px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px|9px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_blur=”4px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Water pressure<\/span><\/h3>\n

The higher the pressure, the more water is pushed forward in the pipe.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”VIRTA (A)” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#0C71C3″ image_icon_width=”26px” icon_alignment=”left” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#E06100″ image_icon_custom_margin=”18px||-40px||false|false” min_height=”221px” custom_margin=”-39px|14px|-39px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_tablet=”-39px|14px|-39px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_phone=”6px|14px|6px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px|9px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_blur=”4px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Flow rate<\/h3>\n

How much water flows in a pipe in a given time.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”TEHO (W)” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#0C71C3″ image_icon_width=”26px” icon_alignment=”left” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#E06100″ image_icon_custom_margin=”18px||-40px||false|false” min_height=”221px” custom_margin=”-39px|14px|-39px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_tablet=”-39px|14px|-39px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_phone=”6px|14px|6px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px|9px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_blur=”4px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Combined effect<\/h3>\n

The combination of pressure and flow – how much energy is carried by flowing water.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”17px” custom_padding=”|31px|0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

If your garden hose has high pressure and a lot of flow, water will come in strongly.
The same applies to electricity: voltage and current together make up power.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Power can vary drastically during use” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”17px” custom_padding=”|31px|0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Many devices do not use the same power all the time. This is an important consideration when making equipment choices. <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_font_size=”18px” background_color=”rgba(239,224,172,0.28)” custom_margin=”15px||15px||true|false” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” border_width_left=”4px” border_color_left=”#FC9569″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Note: Start-up spike<\/strong>
For many compressor units, pumps and motors, the instantaneous starting power can be <\/span>
compared to normal starting power.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Practical examples” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”17px” custom_padding=”|31px|0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Moccamaster coffee maker:<\/strong> ~1500 W for making coffee | less than 100 W for keeping warm<\/p>\n

Refrigerator:<\/strong> instantaneous power typically 50-150 W | much higher at start-up<\/p>\n

Induction cookers:<\/strong> a low power setting can mean short periods of full power, where the instantaneous power can be much higher than the set power level.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_font_size=”18px” background_color=”rgba(214,214,214,0.33)” custom_margin=”15px||15px||true|false” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|11px|11px|11px|11px” border_color_all=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” border_width_left=”4px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Practical advice:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

If several high-power devices can be started at the same time, <\/span>
equipment selection and power management play an important role in an off-grid system.<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#f7f7f7″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Miksi valita Wattium?” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”0afea3b8-b43a-416d-8649-55a1ccf58b49″ header_2_font=”Lato||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”34px” header_4_font=”Roboto Mono|700||on|||||” header_4_text_color=”#000000″ header_4_font_size=”14px” header_2_font_size_tablet=”” header_2_font_size_phone=”22px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Energy consumption<\/h2>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_font_size=”17px” header_4_font=”Lato|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”19px” custom_padding=”|31px|0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The unit of electrical energy is <\/span>kilowatt hour (kWh)<\/strong>. <\/span>
It tells you how much electricity an appliance has used over a given period of time.<\/span><\/p>\n

    <\/ul>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_font_size=”18px” background_color=”rgba(239,224,172,0.28)” custom_margin=”15px||15px||true|false” custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” border_width_left=”4px” border_color_left=”#FC9569″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    Energy (kWh) = Power (kW) \u00d7 Time (h)<\/strong><\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”The battery is like a tank of water” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_font_size=”17px” header_4_font=”Lato|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”19px” custom_padding=”|31px|0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

    The energy storage in the battery can be thought of as a water tank.<\/p>\n

      <\/ul>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”SOLAR PANELS” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#0C71C3″ image_icon_width=”26px” icon_alignment=”left” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#E06100″ image_icon_custom_margin=”18px||-40px||false|false” min_height=”221px” custom_margin=”-39px|14px|-39px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_tablet=”-39px|14px|-39px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_phone=”6px|14px|6px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px|9px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_blur=”4px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      Energy in<\/h3>\n

      Solar panels produce energy and fill the tank.<\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”ACCU” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#0C71C3″ image_icon_width=”26px” icon_alignment=”left” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#E06100″ image_icon_custom_margin=”18px||-40px||false|false” min_height=”221px” custom_margin=”-39px|14px|-39px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_tablet=”-39px|14px|-39px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_phone=”6px|14px|6px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px|9px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_blur=”4px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      Warehouse<\/h3>\n

      The battery stores energy for later use.<\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”DEVICES” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#0C71C3″ image_icon_width=”26px” icon_alignment=”left” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_text_color=”#E06100″ image_icon_custom_margin=”18px||-40px||false|false” min_height=”221px” custom_margin=”-39px|14px|-39px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_tablet=”-39px|14px|-39px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_phone=”6px|14px|6px|14px|true|true” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||0px|9px|false|false” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ box_shadow_blur=”4px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      Energy out<\/h3>\n

      The use of equipment drains the tank.<\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Examples: power vs. consumption” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Lato||||||||” text_font_size=”17px” header_4_font=”Lato|700|||||||” header_4_font_size=”19px” custom_padding=”|31px|0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      A high-powered appliance does not necessarily consume a lot of energy – it’s the uptime that counts.<\/p>\n