Heat pump 3-ton: how much battery you need1
Heat pump 3-ton (no backup strips) draws about 3500 W (3500 W range), runs 50% of the time and uses 21000 Wh per day. Start-up surge: 6000 W.
Estimate in line with a 3-ton central AC; electric backup strips add 5–10 kW and are not counted.
Battery needed
| Hours | Wh | Battery (Wh) | Inverter (W) |
|---|---|---|---|
| For 8 hours | 7000 | 10607 | 3851 / 6000 |
| For 24 hours | 21000 | 31819 | 3851 / 6000 |
| For 72 hours | 63000 | 95455 | 3851 / 6000 |
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Stations that fit (24 h)
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FAQ
How many watts does a Heat pump 3-ton (no backup strips) use?
Typically 3500 W while running, with a range of 3500 W depending on model and age. Start-up surge can reach 6000 W.
How long will a 1000 Wh power station run a Heat pump 3-ton (no backup strips)?
About 0.4 hours on the clock, allowing for the 50% duty cycle, inverter losses and a 20% reserve.
What size power station do I need for a Heat pump 3-ton (no backup strips) overnight (8 h)?
About 10607 Wh of battery and an inverter rated at least 3851 W continuous with 6000 W surge.
Can I run a Heat pump 3-ton (no backup strips) on solar during an outage?
You need roughly 14000 W of panels in winter to replace a day's use (21000 Wh), charging through a station with a big enough MPPT input.
Other appliances
1 Approximate values: estimated from motor or heater power and typical figures published online, not from a manufacturer chart. Check your appliance label.
Inverter efficiency 88%, usable depth of discharge 90%, reserve 20%. Full method: How we calculate.