THE SHORT ANSWER
List each planned load separately, with timing and supporting information. Let the proposal show current consumption and added-load scenarios rather than one unexplained total.
Start with a stable baseline
Use the verified twelve-month kWh record for the home as it operates today. DOE notes that energy use affects rooftop-solar economics and sizing. [1] Do not rewrite historical months to make room for an EV, new pool pump, heat-pump water heater or larger household.
Describe each change in practical terms
For an EV, record expected miles and home-charging share. For HVAC, keep the proposed equipment information and conditioned area. For a pool, note pump type and intended schedule. For an addition, note use and completion timing. These inputs are better than a generic “future usage” slider.
Separate committed and possible projects
Create a likely case and an optional case. A vehicle already ordered belongs in a different category from one merely considered. The solar designer can then show how the design responds without presenting the largest scenario as certain or implying that every future appliance is covered.
Consider when the energy is used
Monthly energy helps annual sizing, while time of use can affect self-consumption, battery goals and utility imports. Ask which conclusions depend on daytime charging or load shifting. Do not infer backup capability from an annual kWh match; an outage is a power-and-energy design problem.
Approve the chosen scenario in writing
Ask the final proposal to state the baseline, each added annual-use assumption and the scenario selected. Keep vendor specifications or simple calculations with the file. This makes later revisions understandable and prevents a salesperson’s verbal estimate from becoming an invisible design requirement.
Before your next conversation
- Verify current annual kWh.
- List each planned load separately.
- Mark likely versus optional changes.
- Approve the scenario used in the proposal.
Primary sources
- U.S. Department of Energy: Homeowner’s Guide to Going Solar
Primary source reviewed September 10, 2026. Utility rules, equipment availability, project design and contract terms remain specific to the property and proposal.
Planning examples and questions are Origin’s editorial guidance, not a property-specific diagnosis, engineering design, tax determination or promise of savings. Manufacturer and utility references do not imply an affiliation with Origin.
Make the decision specific to your home.
Bring the load worksheet to an Origin Direct review.
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