In this post I’d like to give you a few tips on how to maximise the savings from your solar system.
Your big savings
The biggest savings are made when you can use the power that your own solar system is generating. This way you are not buying electricity from the grid, which will cost you around $0.30/kWh. So the more you can use of your solar power the more you can save.
The way to do this is by using appliances during the day, when the sun is shining and your system is generating electricity. It helps if you can get into a new mindset and think about doing things during the day that you would normally do at night. Here’s some things you can do to increase your usage during the day while decreasing your usage at night
– Set a timer on your dishwasher to come on at 12pm
– Set a timer on your washing machine to come on at 3pm (You may be home at 5pm and can get the clothes out of the washing machine soon after it has finished)
– If you have a pool set the timer for the pump to come on at 10am
– Cook your meals during the day (if you’re home) so that you use less electricity at night
– Set up a smart system for your air conditioner so that you can control and schedule it with your smart phone. This way if it’s a hot day and you’re at work you can turn your air conditioner on with your phone at 3pm and by the time you get home later the house is already cool and you’ve used your solar power to do it
– Set a timer for any pumps or irrigation you have to run during the day
Save by exporting
The other way that your solar system can save you money is by exporting any excess power generating to the grid. Your energy retailer will (in most cases) pay you for the energy exported. The average rate for this is around $0.10 – $0.12/kWh. Shop around for the best plan that suits your circumstances.
Let’s say for example that on a clear summer day with a 6.6kW solar system you generate 35kWh. If you use 10kWh of your own solar generated electricity you will save $3.00 that day (based on $0.30kWh import tariff). The other 25kWh will be exported to the grid and your energy retailer will deduct $2.5 for the day from your bill (based on $0.10 export tariff). That’s a total saving of $5.50 for that day! This is just an example and your own savings will depend on your usage and your plan with your energy retailer.
Use energy efficient appliances
Changing old inefficient light fittings and appliances to newer more efficient products will also help you to save money. For example you might be able to change your old halogen downlights to new LED downlights. LED downlights use about 80% less power than halogen lights.
So if you’d like to learn more about the savings you can make or get a quote for a solar system please get in touch.
Thank you for reading,
Luke Warren
Waz Electrical
0438 952 200