Solar panels can be a great way to power our homes and save us money in the long term, but what if there were other ways we can reduce our electricity bills, even with solar installed?
In this blog we’ll be going over a few different ways you can start optimising your solar usage as of today so that you can get the most out of your solar system in the years to come.
1. Capatilising on daytime solar consumption
Going back to basics, solar panels work by converting sunlight into electricity, which can then be used to power our homes. Now, if you’re someone who works a typical 9-5 and is away for most of the day, most of your solar power generation is done while you are away from home. Meanwhile, solar panels perform at their best when there is sunlight available which is during the morning and afternoon when we’re generally away from home. Therefore, we recommend that you try to use more electricity during the day and less at night. There are various ways to capatilise on daytime energy versus at night, with the most popular example being how we use our home appliances. Washing machines, for example, are generally very power hungry, and can take up to three hours for a load. Therefore, if you’re running a wash cycle in the evening, that’s three hours worth of energy consumption that could have otherwise been powered directly from your own solar.
Nowadays as technology progresses, many white goods including washing machines, dryers and dishwashers have features like ‘delay-start’ which makes it super easy to plan around your schedule. However, even if you don’t have access to this feature and have to spend most of your day outside of home, simply turning on your appliances before you leave home can go a long way in reducing your overall energy consumption.
2. Energy efficient appliances
Investing in energy-efficient appliances can go a long way in reducing overall energy consumption. From washing machines and refrigerators to reverse cycle air conditioners, making the upgrade will almost always pay off in the long term.
For example, with reverse cycle air-conditioners, not only will this provide efficient heating in the winter, but it can also be used for cooling in the summer. Therefore, it’s not limited to seasonality and will help save you energy for years to come.
However, just like solar panels installed on your rooftops - size matters! Models that are too powerful or underpowered won’t run as efficiently as we’d want them to and can do more harm than good, so it’s important to find something that is tailored to our needs.
3. Winter-proofing your home
With winter comes higher electricity bills as we try to keep our homes warm and comfy. One way to try offsetting this extra consumption is to go green with our appliances, as stated above.
However, another solution that is often underlooked is ensuring that our windows and doors are well insulated so that we're not losing heat through gaps or drafty areas. This will help to keep heat from escaping during winter and will also keep heat from seeping in during summer.
4. Switching energy retailers.
One of the best ways to instantly start saving money on your electricity bill is to compare between energy retailers. By shopping around and comparing different plans tailored towards your average monthly consumption, there’s a high chance that you’ll find a better option than what you are paying now.
Our State government is currently offering a $250 Power Saving Bonus to all Victorian households who visit the Victorian Energy Compare and use their free comparison tool. All you have to do is provide some details about your current energy and/or gas consumption, then you will be presented with some information about the best priced offers available in your area.
There’s basically nothing to lose other than just dedicating 5-10 minutes of your time and in return you will receive a $250 and potentially a better deal on your electricity and/or gas bill. Click here for more info.
If you are currently exporting solar to the grid and want to compare feed-in tariffs among energy retailers, we recommend being extra careful with the rates being presented to you. The reason for this is because some plans that offer higher feed-in tariffs may have less competitive prices for the electricity you consume from the grid, and this may outweigh the benefit received from a higher feed-in tariff.
Some companies also offer a higher feed-in tariff until a certain threshold of energy is exported, then once this is reached the feed-in tariff is then massively reduced. Therefore, you should consider your energy consumption and generation as a whole - including your patterns of use, the rates you pay for the electricity you use and the electricity you export.
Nevertheless, it all starts with the foundation of how you use your energy on a daily basis. Regardless of how much you rely on solar to power your home, it goes without saying that being more efficient with your solar and energy consumption, the more money you will save in the long term.
If you are having trouble understanding your bill or would like to explore the different ways you can get more out of your solar, get in touch with our team of solar experts by submitting an enquiry here or simply give us a call at 1800 765 237 for a free phone diagnosis.