Tiny-home electrical that passes inspection the first time
Residential-grade appliances in a 200 sqft footprint is a genuinely hard electrical problem. PowerLab handles it — and gives you the permit-ready PDF the AHJ actually wants to see.
Real residential appliances
Mini-split heat pump, heat-pump water heater, induction cooktop, dishwasher — all modeled honestly, not approximated.
Hybrid grid + solar + battery
PowerLab models all three charging sources at once so you know when the grid’s actually off-loading your panels.
Permit-ready PDF
One-line diagram, OCPD + conductor schedule, explicit NEC/CEC citations. What your AHJ wants, in one doc.
Works on foundation too
DC or AC-coupled, on-wheels or on foundation — the math’s the same. Hybrid systems fully supported.
Typical loads we already model
These are realistic watt draws and duty cycles pulled from the PowerLab appliance catalog. When you start a design, you pick from this catalog and customize \u2014 nothing to re-type.
| Load | Watts | Hrs/day | Wh/day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini-split heat pump (12k BTU) | 900 | 8 | 7,200 |
| Heat-pump water heater | 550 | 3 | 1,650 |
| Induction cooktop (2-burner) | 3,600 | 0.5 | 1,800 |
| Refrigerator (Energy-Star) | 150 | 8 | 1,200 |
| Dishwasher | 1,400 | 1 | 1,400 |
| LED lighting + ceiling fan | 80 | 6 | 480 |
| Laptop + router + starlink | 100 | 10 | 1,000 |
| Sample total | 14,730 Wh/day |
Typical real-world band for this niche: 4,000\u201312,000 Wh/day (midpoint 8,000). Your actual number depends on your gear and how you use it; PowerLab calculates it exactly.
Ask these once your design is loaded
PowerLab Co-Pilot sees your exact design and can answer questions in plain English. Starter prompts for this niche:
- \u203aCan my system cover 3 days of winter autonomy at 55°N?
- \u203aIs a heat-pump water heater or a tankless better for my load profile?
- \u203aWhat’s my peak simultaneous draw if everything cycles on at once?
Frequently asked
Can I really go fully off-grid in a tiny home?
Yes, but you’ll want LiFePO4, 1500–3000W of solar, and realistic expectations about winter. PowerLab models peak-sun-hours by region so you see the truth, not the brochure.
What about the permit inspection?
Our permit-ready PDF (Pro+ one-off) covers the load schedule, OCPD schedule, conductor schedule, and code references the AHJ expects. A licensed electrician still has to stamp it — we just do the math they’d bill for.
Does PowerLab handle 120/240V split-phase?
The calculation engine is currently DC-first with a single-phase AC inverter model. Full 240V split-phase (with a hybrid inverter like a Sol-Ark) is on the roadmap. Today, model each 240V load as a single 120V load at equivalent watts and it’s close enough for sizing.
Design yours in the next 10 minutes
Free tier gets you load + battery + solar sizing for up to 3 designs. No credit card required. Upgrade when you need the Co-Pilot, live BMS monitoring (Victron live today), or permit-ready PDFs.
Start designing free