Who says you need the best inverter for home only if you live in a small town or village? Well, I say, anywhere in India, this device is imperative.
Our dependability on laptops and other electronic gadgets has increased tremendously. And I see no harm in being tech-savvy. It doesn’t end there. Imagine when you are beginning to cook on your induction cooktop, and boom! An unexpected power cut arrives. That’s certainly the last thing you everywhere.
Power failures and load sheddings are becoming a common event anywhere in India. Therefore, getting a top home inverter is your only option. With the Indian market brimming with options, why not make the most of it? So, my detailed blog on the trending home inverters is only to help you out.
Today, there are different types of home inverters for different requirements. Yes, I will speak about them all. You also have an alternate option of indulging in an uninterrupted power supply. I have categorized the section for you to know the difference.
So let’s begin with exploring the topmost home inverters and later dig into the buyer’s guide.
1. Luminous Zelio+ 1700VA Sine Wave Home UPS Inverter
Luminous has a large presence in the inverter manufacturing space. The brand creates top-of-the-line home inverters, and thus it certainly deserves its position. This particular inverter is quite advanced and offers a lot of useful features. We’re more than glad to start off our list with it. Now, let’s take a quick look at these features.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 35 x 20 x 36 cm
- Weight: 15.2 kg
- Output Power: 1700 W
- Charging Current: 17 Amps
- Winding Type: Aluminium
- Max Battery in Ah: 200 AH
Key Features
- Sine Wave technology ensures very low harmonic distortion.
- 32 bit DSP processor has adaptive learning capabilities for efficient usage.
- 1700VA rating makes the inverter more capable of handling electricity.
- Electrolyte Level Indicator makes battery maintenance a seamless task.
- Eco and UPS modes are available alongside Bypass Switch to offer more flexibility.
Reasons to Purchase The Luminous Zelio+ 1700VA Sine Wave Home UPS Inverter
Sine Wave technology: This Luminous Zelio uses the Sine Wave technology, which has meagre harmony distortions. As such, the sensitive machines at your home will be safer without the cost of inverter performance.
32 bit DSP processor: Moving on, the 32 bit DSP processor is also one of the features that give the inverter a significant advantage over others. By using this processor, the inverter charges its batteries reliably and with efficiency. Not only that, but the processor is also able to calculate the backup and charging time.
Electrolyte Level Indicator: One more important thing that you need to keep in mind is the battery’s state. The battery is vital to the lifetime and the performance of the inverter you buy. In this case, the inverter offers a handy Electrolyte Level Indicator. Once you get the best inverter battery you can find, you can keep the battery well maintained with the indicator. Hence, you can keep the electrolyte levels optimum at all times. You won’t have to replenish them when you run into problems.
Bypass Switch: This Luminous inverter also provides you with a convenient Bypass Switch that lets you switch between two modes. If you have particularly sensitive appliances, you can keep the inverter in UPS mode and switch to Eco mode when you need to reduce battery usage.
- Power backup display with hour and minutes.
- Handles power supply to many machines reliably.
- Modern look.
- Intelligent processor.
- Mediocre after-sales service.
- Makes a little too much noise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusions
This inverter looks very good- its display is both readable and attractive. It also did well in our endurance tests. Although, we think it could have had a lighter weight. Nonetheless, we’re sure you could find a lot of use out of this inverter. You should be able to enjoy its smooth performance, as long as you take care of it. If malfunctions occur, it might take a lot of effort to fix as the brand’s customer service isn’t as good.
2. Microtek Ups Sebz 1100 VA Pure Sinewave Inverter
Microtek, one of the best inverter manufacturers out there, has made the Sebz very power-efficient. It manages the electricity supply so well that the inverter can keep your devices safe and stay free from damage at the same time. This inverter from Microtek has a high VA rating, and it can, thus, power most of your appliances.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 39.6 x 35.3 x 19.3 cm
- Weight: 9.34 kg
- Output Power: 760 W
- Charging Current: 10 Amps
- Winding Type: Aluminium
- Max Battery in Ah: 180 AH
Key Features
- 1100 VA rating with high capacity.
- Intelligent operation providing power supply based on the situation.
- Does not make your appliances produce noise.
- Supports an extensive battery range.
- Large number of safety measures for seamless and efficient electricity supply.
Reasons to Purchase The Microtek Ups Sebz 1100 VA Pure Sine Wave Inverter
Advanced Micro Controller: Of course, having an inverter only powering a lot of devices wouldn’t be enough. The additional Micro Controller makes the best use of the high capacity. It optimises the power supply so that everything is distributed efficiently. Thus, the inverter can adapt to most situations with ease.
Low Profile: Another good thing about this inverter is that it doesn’t create odd noises from machines that use inductive load, like fans. Such a function isn’t common in this category, and a lot of other inverters can make your devices produce noise when providing power.
Good Compatibility: Battery compatibility isn’t an issue with this inverter as it supports batteries ranging from 100 ah to 180 ah.
Enhanced Protection: Sebz also features some extra protective measures to keep maintenance costs low and performance high. Whenever it gets excessively overloaded in UPS mode or gets short-circuited, it will switch to protection mode. Furthermore, the UPS contains a built-in electronic protection circuit. This circuit protects the batteries from deep discharges or overcharging.
- Smart overload sensor.
- Short circuit protection.
- High capacity and efficiency.
- Doesn’t produce noise.
- Slightly bulky.
- Outdated design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusions
Don’t let the design fool you- though it may look old-timey, it has all the performance you’d expect from some of the newest inverters. Although, unlike the Zelio+ model, this model had far more fan noise and vibrations. That’s a bit of a downside, but no compromises in terms of performance. Another great thing about this product is its smart energy distribution. You heard it right; though this device may not seem very modern, it comes with an advanced micro controller.
3. Luminous Zolt 1100V Inverter Sine Wave Home UPS
Another entry from Luminous, this one is just as good and provides its own set of excellent features to provide complete satisfaction. The Zolt from Luminous comes with a powerful and intelligent 32-bit processor that can adjust itself in regards to the load. So, the output will be better, and the charging will be faster.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 35 x 34 x 18 cm
- Weight: 10.7 kg
- Output Power: 760 W
- Charging Current: 10 Amps
- Winding Type: Copper
- Max Battery in Ah: 200 AH
Key Features
- 32 bit DSP processor for smart power supply.
- Pure Sine Wave provides noiseless operation alongside appliance safety.
- Intuitive LCD Display delivers a lot of vital information.
- External MCB keeps appliances safer.
- Safety Alarms keep you notified of malfunctions.
Reasons to Purchase The Luminous Zolt 1100V Inverter Sine Wave Home UPS
Efficient Operation: First off, let’s talk about some of its other excellent features. As usual, this inverter also outputs pure sine waves. This makes all your appliances operate noiselessly, and they remain safe from damage. It makes it possible by reducing the harmonic distortion to a minimum.
Incredibly Useful Display: The Zolt also comes with an LCD Display that makes maintenance more convenient for you. As all the electronic devices at home are dependent on the inverter, it’s essential to keep it running correctly. With the display, you can get important information like charging time, system faults, backup time and so on.
Protection From Short Circuits: There are a few other features that make this product so reliable. There is an external MCB included, which can help protect your appliances against faults and short-circuits. Additionally, you also get a smart alert system that alerts you about short-circuits, faulty wiring, overcharging and other hazards.
Energy Efficient: This inverter comes with a specialised mode that enhances its ability to save power. We tested the mode out ourselves, and it actually did reduce a good amount of electricity consumption. It’s simple too, yet very effective. All it does is extend the voltage range of the inverter, giving it more breathing room and letting it work less hard to supply power. As a result, you get to enjoy the benefit of paying fewer rupees. Although, we do advise not using this mode if you use computers or refrigerators, as the extra voltage might end up damaging such machines.
- Exceptional safety mechanisms.
- Advanced display.
- Smart power distribution.
- Gets a little hotter than usual.
- Works only on a fixed voltage range.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusions
We had many positive results from the Zelio+, so we decided to look at another Luminous product. If you’d like to save some space while enjoying advanced features, this inverter is a good choice. Plus, if you liked our other Luminous pick but couldn’t afford to use that much money, this one is a cheaper yet similarly performing alternative. It’s good all-around, though we still recommend getting the Zelio+ if possible.
4. Microtek Ups 24×7 Hb 950Va Hybrid Sinewave Inverter
The 24×7 Hb 950Va Inverter with Hybrid Sinewave is the perfect inverter for a small home. It has increased longevity and a reasonable price. Here’s how this inverter sticks out from the other ones around the market.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 39.8 x 35.99 x 19.2 cm
- Weight: 8.82 kg
- Output Power: 760 W
- Charging Current: 10 Amps
- Winding Type: Aluminium
- Max Battery in Ah: 220 AH
Key Features
- Hybrid Sine Wave ensures excellent battery life and backup.
- IBGM technology lengthens battery life.
- 760 Watts of output power.
- Bypass Switch acts as a safeguard in cases of UPS failure and electricity failure.
Reasons to Purchase The Microtek Ups 24×7 Hb 950Va Hybrid Sine Wave Inverter
Solid Performance: This inverter is efficient, and it runs on an excellent combination of digital and sinewave technologies. Therefore, you get to have the best of both. It has a unique design and several other significant advantages.
Advanced IBGM Technology: For instance, the Intelli Battery Gravity Management (IBGM) technology optimises the battery to make it last an extra few months. Thus, you don’t have to spend a lot of money on battery maintenance.
Good Compatibility: Moreover, with 950VA capacity and 760 Watts of output power, you can use it with most of your appliances. Though, it starts losing effectiveness when used with heavy electronics.
Extra Protection: It also has a bypass switch that gives protection for UPS failures and electricity failures.
Variable Charging Current: There’s a switch that allows you to adjust the charging current so that your battery stays safe and doesn’t get excess charge. Hence, you’ll be saving a good amount of money in the long run, as batteries are incredibly expensive.
- Unique design.
- Silent operation.
- Longer battery life.
- Excellent performance with Hybrid Sinewave technology.
- Not suited for heavy electronics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusions
This inverter is meant to be very cheap yet reliable. So, while you may not be able to run the heaviest appliances with it, you can still get by during desperate times when there are long power cuts as it supports most common appliances. The best thing about the performance is that it works efficiently enough not to produce any annoying noises. That’s a great thing, right? You no longer have to hear your ceiling fan dragging around on top of your head whenever your power goes out.
5. V-Guard Smart Pro 1200 with Bluetooth Connectivity Digital Sinewave UPS
The Smart Pro 1200 from V-Guard is relatively recent and comes with many new features. These features are meant to increase the flexibility you get as a user. Its capacity is adequately high as well.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 25 x 12 x 27.5 cm
- Weight: 9.5 kg
- Output Power: 1000 W
- Charging Current: 15 Amps
- Winding Type: Copper
- Max Battery in Ah: 200 AH
Key Features
- Can run loads as high as 1000W.
- Bluetooth app provides easy interaction with the inverter.
- Turbo Charge provides faster charging.
- Many performance modes for different situations.
- Monitoring functions for easy maintenance.
Reasons to Purchase The V-Guard Smart Pro 1200 with Bluetooth Connectivity Digital Sinewave UPS
Compatible With Most Appliances: The Smart Pro 1200 can run loads as high as 1000W. With its increased power, it can run Electric Irons, Coffee Makers, and even Heavy Duty Appliances. Suppose you want something focused on power but also well-built and with an appealing look. In that case, we advise you to try this inverter.
Extra Connectivity: It’s not only powerful and efficient, but it is also very convenient. The inverter supports Bluetooth connectivity and can be interacted with through an app. You can tweak a lot of advanced settings through the app. For example, you can control the power, check the backup time, switch through different modes, and much more.
Ideal for Extended Power Outages: The inverter also sports a not-so-often seen fast charge feature. With the Turbo Charge, you get 30% faster charging along with a much more reliable backup for all those lengthy power outages during summer. This is one of the features that made this inverter an instant favourite of our review team. When you live in an area that constantly has blackouts, this feature is going to be your best friend as you can get a good charge during the short times you get power.
More Versatile: You can tweak the inverter to fit any use other than standard needs with the two special modes. The Appliance mode is specifically designed to operate Heavy Duty appliances. Meanwhile, you can use the Holiday mode when you’re going out for a while. It will keep the inverter running with little power consumption.
Easier To Maintain: The more you know about your inverter’s condition, the better chances you have at keeping it in top form. That’s where this part comes in. One of the last though handy features we want to talk about are the ones that provide data for certain things. With the app, you can track the health of your battery and monitor power cuts along with their duration.
- Remote control with the app.
- Fast charging.
- Easy to maintain.
- Can run on heavy load.
- Bluetooth connection is somewhat weak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusions
V-Guard is well known for making the best geysers. So, we had high expectations for this product. The design was top-notch. Something about the colour scheme makes it seem like an incredibly advanced appliance, so it’ll be perfect as part of the decor for a smart home. While it doesn’t offer the best raw performance, it’s very versatile. You can switch its performance to make it either give you a lot of power or give you enough power to keep basic appliances running, minimising power consumption. You can also run a good number of high-power appliances through it.
6. Amaron Hi Back-Up Pure Sine Wave UPS
If you’re looking for an inverter for either your home or office, then check this inverter out. It supports every kind of appliance. It’s also light on your budget and still manages to be cost-effective.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 12 x 12 x 8 cm
- Weight: 12 kg
- Output Power: 800 W
- Charging Current: 6 Amps (12 Amps with Fast Charge)
- Winding Type: Copper
- Max Battery in Ah: 220 AH
Key Features
- Noiseless and seamless operation.
- Comes with safety features in cases of overload.
- Copper transformers enhance durability.
- Efficient batteries that charge fast and use less power to charge.
- Has protection against short circuits and overloads.
Reasons to Purchase The Amaron Hi Back-Up Pure Sine Wave UPS
Operates Smoothly: The inverter works smoothly and operates without noise. Moreover, when a power cut occurs, the inverter swiftly switches to battery mode. The transition is seamless; you’re not even going to know about the power cut.
Well-protected: It can also deal with overloads efficiently. While running on sine wave technology, the device comes with visual indicators. More importantly, it has a system overload alarm that alerts you during overloads and resets itself automatically. So, you no longer have to worry about your inverter getting damaged. Other than these functions, the inverter is also equipped with other short-circuit protections.
Long Lifespan: Also, one more thing to note about this inverter is its transformer. It houses a copper transformer that improves the longevity of the inverter by reducing power consumption. This Amaron Inverter charges the battery quickly and efficiently.
Great Charging Mechanism: To begin with, it can charge a battery faster than your average inverter. However, it offers much more than that. We were glad to find out that it actually does optimise the battery performance to give the most power with the least consumption through the help of the i-Charge technology. Even the transformer is specially designed to add to the battery’s capacity, making it last far longer than it would on a conventional inverter.
Fast Charge: On top of all that, you get a form of fast charge that allows you to thrive in areas with a lot of power fluctuations.
- Overload alarm that notifies the user and resets the inverter.
- Copper transformer.
- Fast charging with little power consumption.
- Low VA rating.
- After-sales service could use some improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusions
Though this inverter comes with lame boxing and design, it’s a solid option for many people. Performance-wise, you won’t be disappointed. Whilst it isn’t the most powerful device on our list, it will still carry the weight of most of your appliances. We do wish that the VA rating was higher, though. Nonetheless, it’s reliable, fairly inexpensive and also very safe to use. There’s even an overload alert to provide extra protection.
Best Inverter for Home – Buying Guide
That is all for the list of the home inverters we consider the best. Now, we’ll go in-depth about all the factors you need to know about before you buy an inverter.
What is an inverter?
An inverter converts DC (Direct Current) into AC (Alternating Current) at any frequency or voltage. In cases where the main power goes off, the AC required to power appliances is acquired by converting DC to AC from the battery backup.
The inverter can convert the current and start using it so fast that the devices don’t even turn off during sudden power cuts. Thus, these inverters are an excellent source of backup power for home appliances. The size of the batteries for the inverter depends on your requirements, though.
You can choose inverters with a smaller battery capacity if you only need lights and fans to run. But, if you need to use the inverter as a backup for bigger appliances like TV and fridge then bigger capacity is required. Often the best refrigerators come with a design that lets them smoothly run on a home inverter. Our experts advise not more than a few big appliances on the inverter, though.
Types of Inverters
There are three types of inverters, based on the kind of outputs they offer. They are Pure Sine Wave inverters, Modified Sine Wave inverters and Square Wave inverters.
1. Pure Sine Wave Inverters
Pure Sine Wave inverters supply current in the most reliable and cleanest form. The pattern is like the same one offered by regular wall sockets. Its output in Sine Waveform is also identical to that of a utility supply.
These inverters work the best with all appliances, as said appliances are designed to work on Sine Wave patters only.
Besides, these inverters are the best choice for those who wish to use the inverter for powerful appliances. For instance, these inverters are really good for running powerful ones like refrigerators and TVs. They provide efficiency with little power consumption.
Sine Wave inverters can adjust voltage according to conditions. Thus, suitable for running several devices. Though these inverters are somewhat expensive, they’re good at handling heavy loads.
2. Modified Sine Wave Inverter
A modified sine wave inverter has a rougher transition period over a pure one. It takes a brief pause before it shifts phases from positive to negative.
A modified sine wave inverter works more like a square but is a little more complicated than Square Wave Inverters. Though these inverters can support many appliances, they’re often prone to hiccups. To put it briefly, they hamper the efficiency of the machines and makes them either noisy or underpowered.
Suppose you’re getting an inverter for devices with resistive loads which don’t need startup surges. In that case, they’re the right choice. These models are cheaper than Pure Sine Wave inverters.
3. Square Wave Inverters
These inverters are the most inefficient among all the other types of inverters. They create Square shaped waveforms. You can use these inverters with devices that have universal motors. Another notable disadvantage is that these inverters are very noisy.
Electricity consumption of the common electrical appliances
Before you go to find the best inverter for home, you should consider the amount of power you’ll need. It depends on how many appliances you need the backup for. Once you’ve figured that out, you should then calculate the total power consumption.
Here’s a table representing the average power consumption of the usual appliances.
| Appliance | Power Requirement (in Watts) |
|---|---|
| LED Bulb | 7 Watts |
| CFL | 25 Watts |
| Tube Light | 50 Watts |
| Fan | 80 Watts |
| TV | 120 Watts |
| Refrigerator | 300-350 Watts |
| Mixer Grinder | 500-750 Watts |
| Induction Cooker | 1000-1500 Watts |
Now, using the above information, we’ll give an example of how to calculate the power backup.
Suppose you want to use two LED bulbs, two Tube Lights, two Fans and one TV with the inverter. In that case, the calculation will go like this;
2×7(W)+2×50(W)+2×80(W)+1×120(W) = 394 Watts
So, to run 394 Watts worth of power, you need an inverter that can provide 450-500 Watts.
What’s the difference between an inverter and the UPS?
A UPS has a shorter switchover time during a power cut. The switchover time is the time the device takes to supply appliances with power when the electricity goes out.
A UPS only takes 3 to 5 milliseconds. In contrast, an Inverter takes as long as 10 to 100 milliseconds. This difference might not seem much in the paper- it isn’t if you’re just going to use it with things like fans and lights.
But, with sensitive devices like computers, the lack of power can lead to a complete shutdown. Any unsaved data will be lost. A UPS would be the best option for such situations.
The inverter has a delay because it doesn’t have an inbuilt battery, unlike a UPS, which comes equipped with one. So, it has to draw power from an external battery and then convert the current from DC to AC.
Besides, the UPS has a direct connection to appliances with plug sockets. In contrast, the inverter uses the main supply line to send power from the battery to the devices. This causes a longer delay for the inverter to work.
Different alternate power supply options
There are various alternate power sources to deal with very long power cuts. Below we will talk about some of them, and recommend when it’s best to use them.
1. Inverter
An Inverter stores power in DC form within a battery. When the power goes out, it will convert the stored DC power to AC and supply as needed. This alternate power source is a good option for machines like lights, fans, TVs and others. Newer inverters can sustain larger appliances like fridges and washing machines.
2. DG Sets
These devices use Diesel to produce electricity. Rather than using reserves, they generate electricity right away.
3. Solar Power
Solar Power is one of the newer and rapidly growing ways of producing power. The Solar Panel converts energy from sun rays to electricity and store that in batteries. But, if you live in somewhere with little sunlight, then this might be the wrong choice. These devices can’t handle higher load either.
How to select the best inverter for Home?
If you still picked an Inverter, then this part will be of great use to you. Let’s take a look at all the small but vital information you need to keep in mind.
1. Power Requirement
As we spoke of earlier, always make sure your inverter meets your power requirements. Getting an inverter won’t benefit you if you choose something underpowered. Reference the power consumption table above and calculate what you need, to get the best inverter for home.
2. Inverter Capacity
Generally speaking, Volt-Amp (VA) denotes inverter capacity. The total wattage usually is equal to the VA value. Yet, when it comes to Power Factor, things do not stay the same.
The efficiency of the incoming power used in the electric system determines the power factor. Although, it also referred to as the ratio of Real power to Apparent power (the Working power to the Total power).
Real power (kW) represents the amount of energy the appliances consume to work correctly. On the other hand, Reactive Power (kVAR) is the amount of power that equipment like Transformer consumes to generate magnetic fields.
In residential use, power factors are generally 0.7 to 0.8, whereas 0.7 is the safest and 0.8 is economical. VA value comes from dividing the total load in watts by the power factor. So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at an example;
300/0.8=375 VA
As models with exact 375 VA aren’t available, the next best thing would be going for an inverter of 400 or 500 VA. Besides, it’s always better to purchase an inverter that has at least a few units more capacity than the actual requirement.
3. Battery Size
If you pick an incompatible battery size, the inverter won’t be able to give you the best results. The capacity or battery size is measured in Amp-Hour (Ah). Ah refers to the amount of current a battery can provide for a certain period.
For instance, a 1000Ah can supply about 1000 amp current within an hour. Although, it can also provide 500 amp of current for 2 hours. Here is a formula that lets you calculate the battery size:
[VA rating of the inverter] X [use time (in hours)] / [Input voltage] = [Battery size]
Now, imagine you wish to use a 400 VA inverter for 6 hours of backup. You can calculate the required battery size this way:
400 VA x 6 Hours = 2400 Ah
“Ah” generally represents the battery size or capacity. In other words, it denotes the amount of energy the battery can store. A standard inverter battery can offer input of 12 volts. Thus, the Ah value will be:
2400VAh/12V = 200 Ah
Starting from 100 Ah, there’s an extensive range available in the market. As such, 250Ah would be the perfect battery size for our scenario.
Moreover, you should also consider the type while you choose the best inverter battery. These batteries are of three types.
- Flat plate batteries
- Tubular batteries
- Maintainance free batteries
Of all the three types, the Tubular Batteries work the best with inverters. Even though they cost a little more than Flat Plate batteries, they offer long-lasting performance. When Maintenance Free Batteries can provide you with 3-4 years of use, Tubular ones can last you 6-7 years.
One more thing to note is that you should always fill the batteries with distilled or RO water often. Doing that alongside the fluid levels will make your batteries last longer.
4. Brands
Because of how often power cuts occur in suburban and rural areas, inverters have become essential for every homey. There are many brands which sell inverters with different features. But it is always better to buy from popular brands as the product will have convenient features, high efficiency, excellent quality, and exceptional durability.
However, while Inverters are essential, their brands don’t come up in talks. For instance, when you think of the best LED TV, you think of LG or Samsung. It might not be like that in the case of inverter brands.
So, we’ll touch upon each of the best brands briefly to let you know of their specialities. Here are some of the most reliable inverter brands:
- Luminous– They’re known for their intelligent inverters, which also come packed with features.
- Exide– Inverters from Exide are very heavy-duty. Aside from Inverters, Exide’s batteries are also highly durable.
- Microtek– Microtek’s inverters are generally good, and besides that, they can also function as UPS.
5. Price
If the price is a concern, we’ll tell you the difference in quality between multiple prices. The inverter’s cost depends on its brand, its features and its technical specifications.
Considering that they’re more efficient with the reduced energy loss during the conversion of DC to AC, they’ll usually be more expensive than alternatives. Inverters with a higher VA rating will be even more pricey as they can handle heavy appliances like ACs or refrigerators.
In the most common situation of domestic use, inverters ranging from Rs 5000 to Rs 7000 that have standard features work well enough. Although, with smart and advanced features, the price can rise to around Rs 8000.
6. Warranty
Always opt for inverters that offer a good warranty. The longer the warranty, the more expensive the inverter is. However, the reduced maintenance costs as a result of the extended warranty can make up for the initial cost.
Remember, both the inverter and battery combination is going to be a long-term investment. Go for the best combination that will provide the best value for the money you spend.
Best Inverter Brands In India
Earlier, we mentioned some of the best inverter brands in India, and here we will provide a detailed description of each of them. In fact, we’ve looked into all the inverter brands on the Indian market and picked the products on our list from the best.
1. Luminous
Luminous is a brand with a wide range of products in the power backup, home electrical and residential solar industry. They’re known in the power backup industry for their innovative and smart home inverters. Besides making their inverters operate efficiently, they also pack in many useful features.
2. Microtek
Microtek is another brand that’s renowned for high-quality inverters. Their products are generally well-rounded, and some of them can even work as a UPS. Another thing to note is that quite a few of their products make much less noise than most inverters.
3. V-Guard
Though not as known as brands like Luminous and Microtek, they’re no less impressive. V-Guard inverters can take on a decent amount of load, and some of them come with convenient smartphone controls.
4. Exide
Exide inverters are very powerful and can take on a lot of loads. Besides that, they’re also very durable, and the durability extends to their batteries as well.
5. Amaron
Amaron’s inverters are compatible with most appliances. They have good quality and have exceptional value for money. Even with the lower price tag, the build quality for their inverters is just as good as the other popular brands. Amaron batteries are also efficient and very quick to charge. Moreover, they have low energy consumption as well.
How to take care of your inverter and batteries?
As a lot of the other appliances in your house depend on your home inverter, it’s vital to keep the inverter well-cared for. Here we’ll list some effective actions you can take to keep your inverter performing seamlessly.
1. Keep your inverter in a ventilated area
Keeping your home inverter in a ventilated area is going to save you a lot of trouble. Suppose you place your inverter in an area with no ventilation. Then, the heat generated will produce dew or water. Such can lead to overheating and rust. So make sure to place your inverter in a well-ventilated area.
2. Clean often
Dust is inevitable. You have to prevent it from making your inverter malfunction. Try to keep it free of dust and dirt stains like oil. With a cotton cloth, wipe as often as possible to ensure the surface and sides of your inverter stays free from dust.
3. Always keep your batteries charged
Letting the battery of your inverter run out completely will lead to its lifespan getting reduced. Thus, you should always be trying to keep it charged at all times. You’ll face unpleasant consequences if you wait for your battery to discharge completely before charging it again. So we advise you not to let that happen at all.
4. Change faulty batteries
If your battery gets damaged or starts malfunctioning, then don’t attempt to use it or combine with a new battery. Such could damage the whole inverter or even cause an explosion. The best thing you can do in such a situation is to get the faulty battery replaced with a new one.
5. Don’t let the inverter overheat
Always keep the capacity of the inverter in mind. Don’t overload it with high electrical devices and appliances. Doing so can damage the inverter or even make it explode. Also, when an appliance is not in use, unplug it to reduce the load on the inverter and increase the lifespan.
6. Keep the inverter away from flames or heat
Heat and flames can damage your home inverter. It can harm both the inverter and your battery. So always keep the inverter away from fire and heat.
7. Discharge the battery occasionally
Sometimes, if you don’t face any power outages for a while, you might forget about your inverter. As a result, your batteries always have a full charge. It’s not good for them if they stay like that for a long time. Even though there are no power cuts, try to use the inverter just to discharge the batteries. Doing so at least once a month is good for the batteries.
8. Keep out of children’s reach
Kids can be rather curious. With your home inverter, they might accidentally spill food and liquids over it. They might even start playing with leading to the inverter getting damaged. More importantly, the child has risks getting a full or partial shock. So, always keep it out of their reach. However, wherever you keep the inverter, make sure the area is well-ventilated.
9. Keep the terminals of the battery clean
Always keep the terminals of the battery free from rust and corrosion. You can do so by mixing a solution with baking soda and hot water. Using a small brush, carefully put the hot water and baking soda solution on the battery terminals. To avoid the corrosion and rust on other metal parts like bolts and nuts, keep them lubed with petroleum jelly. Having rust on the terminal can bother the flow of electricity to and from the battery.
Best Inverter for Home: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I keep the inverter in one of my rooms?
We advise you to keep the inverter in open places, such as near a window or a balcony. That is because it emits hydrogen fumes and other gases. To make sure you don’t inhale these gases, you should keep the inverter in somewhere with good airflow.
2. Can I power off the inverter?
Turning an inverter off discharges its battery completely. Thus, it won’t be able to provide you with backup when there’s no power. As such, you shouldn’t turn the inverter off. However, if you want to check it or refill it, then you can turn it off. If you do, then make sure to turn it back on once you’re done refilling.
3. Why does my inverter make continuous beeping noises?
A beeping inverter generally means that the battery levels are running low. So you should make sure to charge it as soon as you can. Although, it might also be happening because of a capacity overload. In such a case, you should try to remove the extra load by turning some appliances off.
4. Will I get batteries with the inverter?
Although inverters need batteries to work, you’ll still have to buy them separately. You can choose the battery size according to your requirements.
5. How is peak load and continuous load different?
Before you decide the size of the inverter, you should understand the difference between continuous and peak power output. It is a vital factor.
The continuous load is the wattage that the inverter runs on. Meanwhile, the peak load is the starting load that is needed to get the device running. The majority of the inverters have a peak wattage which is twice the continuous wattage.
If you have a refrigerator that starts up with a load of 15 amps, with a continuous load of 5 amps, then the peak surge would be:
5 Amps X 120 Volts = 600 Watts of Continuous Load
15 Amps X 120 Volts = 1800 Watts starting load
Therefore, you have to look for an inverter with a peak surge rating of more than 1800 Watts.
6. What is a Solar Inverter?
A solar inverter is an inverter that converts DDC output of a Photovoltaic Solar Panel into AC to provide electric backup.
7. How do I know if the inverter is fully charged?
Methods vary with most inverters, but there will always be a way to gauge the charge. Some will show you the charging status in the indicator display. Some have alarms to let you know when the batteries reach full charge. Most inverters come with overcharge protection so you wouldn’t have to worry about forgetting to stop the charge.
8. How do I install my inverter?
Although a lot of inverter brands offer a warranty, that doesn’t include installation services. To install your inverter, you can get the help of an electrician.
9. Is it normal for my inverter to make noises when operating?
Indeed, it is normal for your inverter to be making some form of noise as it works. The noise is a result of the inverter converting current from the battery.
10. Are there other uses of an Inverter?
Aside from providing backup in the events of a power cut, you could use your inverter in other ways. For instance, it’s useful for solar power generation, as it can convert the generated DC to AC for home use. Furthermore, it stores the excess power that gets generated. Certain types of UPS use a small inverter to increase their efficiency and quicker charging of the UPS battery.
Conclusion
Our list contains a mix of some well-rounded inverters and some with an extra set of practical features. You should be able to find something there that fits your needs. If you don’t, our buying guide will aid you in looking through all the other inverters and picking one that suits you.
One more thing to remember is that your inverter’s battery will have a significant impact on its performance. Hence, we advise that you choose the best inverter battery to use with your home inverter.
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