Atmospheric water generator efficiency measures the relationship between the electricity an AWG consumes and the useful water it produces.
Useful comparison metrics include gallons per kWh, liters per kWh and kWh per gallon.
These metrics only become meaningful when temperature, relative humidity and operating conditions are also considered.
Evaluate AWG Efficiency for My Project → Compare AWG Systems →Useful Water Produced ÷ Electricity Consumed = Water per kWh
How Is Atmospheric Water Generator Efficiency Measured?
There is no single universal AWG efficiency metric, but three measurements are particularly useful when comparing systems.
What Does Better AWG Efficiency Mean?
AWG efficiency measured under warm, humid conditions cannot automatically be assumed under cooler or drier conditions.
Why Temperature and Humidity Affect AWG Efficiency
Atmospheric water generators rely on moisture available in ambient air.
As temperature and relative humidity change, the amount of recoverable atmospheric moisture and the energy required to condense it can also change.
Two AWGs should ideally be compared at the same temperature and relative humidity.
For the technology itself:
How Atmospheric Water Generators Turn Air Into Water →
Rated AWG Efficiency vs. Real-World Efficiency
Manufacturer efficiency figures typically describe performance at one or more specified operating conditions.
A project needs a second question:
AWG Efficiency & Electricity Cost Calculator
Enter the atmospheric water generator's published or expected efficiency, your electricity rate and desired water production.
The calculator starts at 0.92 gal/kWh, the manufacturer reference efficiency used for the Origen Wellspring AWG100 example below.
Replace it with the performance figure for the AWG you want to evaluate.
Actual energy use and water production can differ because of temperature, humidity, machine controls, maintenance, installation and operating conditions.
How Do You Calculate AWG Energy Cost Per Gallon?
For example, if an AWG requires approximately 1.09 kWh per gallon and electricity costs $0.15 per kWh:
This is electricity cost only.
It does not include:
- AWG equipment
- Installation
- Water storage
- Filters
- Maintenance
- Service
- Financing
For complete economics:
Atmospheric Water Generator Cost Per Gallon →
AWG Electricity Cost Sensitivity
The same AWG efficiency can produce different operating economics depending on the local electricity rate.
The table below automatically uses the efficiency entered in the calculator above.
| Electricity Rate | Energy Cost / Gallon | Energy Cost / 100 Gallons | Energy Cost / 1,000 Gallons |
|---|
What AWG Performance Data Should a Manufacturer Provide?
AWG Efficiency Example: Origen Wellspring AWG100
One documented example can help illustrate the calculation.
Using the manufacturer reference data already evaluated for the Origen Wellspring AWG100:
Review the Origen Wellspring AWG100 →
Why Gallons Per Day Alone Is Not Enough
Neither system can be judged from GPD alone.
A useful comparison includes:
- Expected site production
- Gallons per kWh
- kWh per gallon
- Climate operating range
- Water demand
- Equipment cost
- Maintenance
- Service
Atmospheric Water Generator Buyer's Guide →
How Location Changes AWG Efficiency and Production
An AWG does not operate in a laboratory throughout the year.
Local climate determines the temperature and humidity conditions the equipment actually experiences.
For Texas projects:
Compare AWG Performance by Texas City →
Why AWG Efficiency Matters for Solar-Powered Systems
AWG efficiency directly affects the amount of electricity that a solar system must provide for a given water-production target.
Higher water-per-kWh efficiency can reduce the electrical energy required to produce the same water volume.
Solar-Powered Atmospheric Water Generator →
Why AWG Efficiency Matters More as Projects Scale
For small water volumes, a modest efficiency difference may have limited economic impact.
At commercial or industrial scale, small differences in kWh per gallon can become significant because the system may produce thousands of gallons over time.
Commercial & Industrial Atmospheric Water Generators →
How Endless Drops Uses AWG Efficiency in Project Design
Machine Efficiency → Site Production → Energy Cost → Total Project Economics
Continue Your AWG Technical Research
AWG Cost Per Gallon →
Compare AWG Performance Before Choosing Equipment
Start with required gallons per day and project location. Then compare realistic production, water per kWh, energy cost and total project economics.
Evaluate My AWG Project →AWG Efficiency FAQs
How is atmospheric water generator efficiency measured?
Useful AWG efficiency metrics include gallons per kilowatt-hour, liters per kilowatt-hour and kilowatt-hours per gallon. The measurement should always be tied to the temperature and relative humidity at which the performance was measured.
What does gallons per kWh mean for an AWG?
Gallons per kWh measures how much water the atmospheric water generator produces for each kilowatt-hour of electricity consumed. Higher values indicate more water produced per unit of energy.
What does kWh per gallon mean for an AWG?
kWh per gallon measures how much electricity is required to produce one gallon of atmospheric water. Lower values indicate less energy required per gallon.
How do I convert gallons per kWh to kWh per gallon?
Divide 1 by the gallons-per-kWh value. For example, 1 divided by 0.92 gal/kWh is approximately 1.09 kWh per gallon.
How do I convert gallons per kWh to liters per kWh?
Multiply gallons per kWh by approximately 3.78541. For example, 0.92 gal/kWh is approximately 3.48 liters per kWh.
Does AWG efficiency change with humidity?
Yes. Atmospheric conditions affect water production, so water-per-energy performance can change as temperature and relative humidity change.
Does AWG efficiency change by location?
Potentially. Different locations experience different temperature, humidity and seasonal conditions, which can affect both production and operating efficiency.
How much electricity does it take to make one gallon of atmospheric water?
It depends on the equipment and operating conditions. If an AWG produces 0.92 gallons per kWh, the reciprocal is approximately 1.09 kWh per gallon.
Is AWG electricity cost the same as total water cost?
No. Electricity is only one component. Total cost can also include equipment, installation, storage, filtration, maintenance and service.
What information should I request from an AWG manufacturer?
Request rated water production, temperature and humidity conditions, electrical consumption, gallons or liters per kWh, production curves, operating range, maintenance requirements, warranty and service information.
Efficiency Is Only Useful When the Conditions Are Known
Compare atmospheric water generators under comparable conditions, then model expected local production before calculating electricity cost or total project economics.
Start My Free Water Assessment →Compare Useful Water Produced per Unit of Energy.