Despite the fierce battle between currents in the 1880s, both AC and DC are necessary for our daily lifestyle. Most households today operate on AC, but thanks to the rise of renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy, DC generators and devices are becoming more common. So, the question arises, is it possible to design a home using only DC devices?
You can design a home using only DC devices. In fact, you may already have DC devices at home, from your lighting to your washing machine. Today, 40% of the copper used in America is used in buildings and homes to convert distributed AC to DC to operate most of your devices.
In this article, you will learn more about how a household can be operated exclusively using DC-powered devices. Additionally, you will also see the benefits of having a DC-powered home and how to transition from AC to DC.
Contents
Can You Use Only DC Devices at Home?
You can absolutely use only DC devices at home. In fact, you probably already do. Although AC is distributed to your home, most of your devices likely use an inverter/adapter to convert it to DC. This is because DC is safer and more stable for powering various devices.
For this reason, you shouldn’t have any difficulty designing a home using only DC devices.
In fact, you can even design a completely DC-powered home. Transitioning to a DC grid is more convenient when you’re powering your home with renewable energy sources, such as a small low-voltage house fully operated by a battery system.
The Benefits of Designing a DC-Powered Home
Switching to exclusively using DC devices at home offers various benefits, including:
Higher Efficiency – DC is significantly more energy-efficient compared to AC.
Electronic devices and appliances are mostly powered by DC. When your home uses AC, electricity is converted to DC before powering your household appliances. During this process, there is a power loss of 5% to 20%.
By transitioning to a pure DC power supply at home, you can eliminate these conversion losses. This makes your household’s energy consumption more efficient.
Lower Electricity Bills – A DC-powered home will also help lower your electricity bill in the long run.
Since DC is much more energy-efficient, operating your household exclusively with DC will reduce your electricity consumption. By making the switch, you can save up to 30% on your electricity bill.
Better Integration with Clean Energy Sources – Thinking of going off-grid and utilizing clean energy sources? DC is the better option as it is easier to set up and more efficient in storing excess energy.
RV owners and those living off-grid have been doing this for years. Thanks to technological advancements, even grid-connected households can now easily utilize DC grids in conjunction with clean energy sources.
As solar panels and other renewable energy sources become more accessible, transitioning to DC will become even easier and cheaper in the future.
Things to Consider When Switching to DC
Considering making the switch to DC? Designing a new home using DC devices will be easier since you don’t have to worry about the “inherited” AC being distributed in most households.
However, you can still switch to DC in your current AC-powered home, although it will be more complex and slightly more expensive.
You can start by installing a DC grid system in your home. Once you’ve done that, here are a few things to consider.
Lights – Do you use LED lights at home? Then you’re already using DC for your lighting system. In most cases, LEDs consume DC to produce light since AC will cause the LED to flicker on and off.
For this reason, lighting should be the least of your worries when it comes to designing a DC-powered home.
Household Appliances – As mentioned earlier, many of your household appliances, such as televisions and washing machines, probably already use DC. Electronic devices usually require an inverter/adapter to convert AC to DC to function.
So, you can easily operate your new DC devices. Plus, by using DC devices and lighting, you’ll save about 30% on your electricity bill.
In general, energy-efficient appliances with small AC motors can be converted to brushless DC motors. This is especially beneficial when applied to heating and cooling appliances such as fans, heaters, and air conditioners.
Heating and cooling appliances typically account for the largest portion of a household’s energy consumption, making up about 43% of a household’s annual energy expenditure. So, by using DC-powered heating and cooling appliances, you’ll save more money in the long run.
Use a Converter to Power AC Devices – There may be some devices that are not available in DC. Additionally, you may want to keep some of your old AC-powered devices, especially if they are sentimental items.
In this case, you don’t have to worry – you can still operate them in your DC-powered home.
Your solution is to get a nice DC-AC converter, like this HQST 1100 Watt Power Converter from Amazon.com. With a built-in cooling fan and automatic shutdown, this robust inverter allows you to safely use your AC devices even after transitioning to a DC grid.
Once you have a DC-AC converter, you can directly plug in and start using your old AC devices!
Conclusion
It is possible to design a home using only DC devices. It’s even easier to do so when you’re living off-grid, have a small or low-voltage house, or are powering your home with renewable energy sources.
Designing a DC-powered home is easier when you’re building from scratch. However, it’s also possible to make the transition with your current AC-powered home, although it will be a more expensive and complex process. That being said, while designing a DC-powered home may initially be more expensive than a regular AC-powered home, you will save a lot more money in the long run!