Tiny home power supply: inverters, shore power, generators and loads
Updated 4 Nov 2026. How power gets from your source to your sockets, and how big each part needs to be.
1. Typical appliance loads (estimates)
| Appliance | Running watts | Est. daily Wh |
|---|---|---|
| LED lighting (whole home) | 20 to 60 W | 100 to 300 |
| Fridge (efficient, small) | 50 to 100 W cycling | 300 to 800 |
| Laptop and phones | 30 to 90 W | 150 to 400 |
| TV | 50 to 100 W | 100 to 300 |
| Water pump | 60 to 300 W | 50 to 200 |
| Induction cooktop (1 zone) | 1,200 to 2,000 W | 500 to 1,500 |
| Electric kettle | 1,500 to 2,400 W | 150 to 400 |
| Small heat pump / mini-split | 400 to 1,200 W | 1,500 to 8,000 |
| Electric hot water | 1,500 to 3,000 W | 2,000 to 5,000 |
| E-bike charger | 100 to 250 W | 300 to 700 per charge |
All figures on this page are estimates for planning. Real use depends on climate, appliances and habits.
More detail: Will it boil the jug? · Heat pump on battery · Fridge runtime
2. Inverters
- Pure sine wave is a must for modern electronics and motors.
- Size the continuous rating above your biggest simultaneous load, and the surge rating for motors and compressors (often 2 to 3 times running watts).
- Match the local voltage and frequency: 230 V 50 Hz (NZ, AU, UK, EU and much of the world), 120 V 60 Hz (North America), and 100 V (Japan).
- Inverter-chargers / hybrid inverters combine the inverter, battery charger, solar MPPT and automatic switching to shore power or a generator.
3. Shore power
A "shore power" lead from another building or a power pedestal connects through an inlet with RCD / GFCI protection. Use outdoor-rated leads of the right gauge and don't daisy-chain extension cords. Permanent connections need an electrician.
4. Generators
- Inverter generators are quieter and give cleaner power for electronics.
- Use them only outdoors, well away from windows, vents and doors, because exhaust carbon monoxide can kill. Fit a CO alarm inside.
- Many hybrid setups run a generator only to top up batteries during long cloudy spells.
Tiny home rules by country (summary)
General information only, checked against official sources on 4 Nov 2026. Rules change and vary by state, province and council, so always confirm locally.
| Country / region | Key rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | A tiny house that is immovable and lived in long term is generally a building needing consent. Since 15 Jan 2026, a new single-storey standalone dwelling up to 70 m² can be built without building consent if it meets the exemption conditions, uses licensed professionals, and you get a PIM first and notify council at the end. | MBIE tiny houses · MBIE granny flat exemption |
| Australia (NSW) | A tiny house on wheels is usually a moveable dwelling/caravan. Approval exemptions are limited (for example short stays of up to 2 days in a row and 60 days a year). Otherwise expect a development application and Local Government Act s68 approval. | NSW Moveable Dwellings Regulation 2021 |
| Australia (Victoria) | A fixed "small second dwelling" up to 60 m² on a lot with an existing home often needs no planning permit, but a building permit is always required. | Victorian Building Authority |
| United States | Permanently occupied tiny houses fall under the International Residential Code (Appendix AQ, 400 sq ft or less, where adopted locally). Wheeled units built as Park Model RVs (ANSI A119.5, up to 400 sq ft) are for recreational or seasonal use, and local zoning decides where they can stay. | ICC tiny house white paper · RVIA |
| Canada | Year-round tiny homes must meet the local building code and zoning. RV-certified units (CSA Z240 RV) are not for permanent residence. | City of Calgary example |
| United Kingdom | A unit can legally be a "caravan" if movable and within 20 m × 6.8 m (3.05 m internal height). Living in one as a separate home usually needs planning permission. Ancillary use by the same household in a house's garden may not. | Caravan Sites Act 1968 s13 · GOV.UK caravan definition |
| France | A tiny house without foundations, quickly removable and used as a main home at least 8 months a year can count as a "résidence démontable", which still needs a planning declaration or permit. | Ordre des architectes (cites Code de l'urbanisme R111-51) |
| Germany | A permanently lived-in tiny house, even on wheels, is generally treated as a building that needs a permit under the state building code. | City of Munich guide (PDF) |
| Japan | A trailer house counts as a vehicle rather than a building only if it can be moved at any time and is legal on public roads, with no fixed stairs and only quick-disconnect utilities. Otherwise it needs building approval. | Hamamatsu City (Japanese) |
Electrical work: in most countries, mains wiring and grid-connected solar or batteries must be installed and certified by a licensed electrician. NZ example: WorkSafe DIY solar.
FAQ
What size inverter do I need?
Above your largest combined running load, with surge capacity for motors and compressors (often 2 to 3 times running watts).
Can I plug my tiny home into a house?
With a correctly rated shore-power inlet and lead with RCD/GFCI protection. Permanent connections need an electrician.
Is a generator safe for a tiny home?
Only outdoors, away from windows and vents, with a CO alarm inside.
Where to buy
Portable power and solar kits: Power stations at ALLPOWERS (US & CA) (affiliate link).
Home batteries, inverters and solar panels: we're still waiting on approval from more brands. Until then, use a reputable local installer.
Tiny home power guides: Overview · Solar · Batteries · Power supply · EV & e-bike charging