The impact of COVID-19 on the lives of millions has been unimaginable. Our work and personal lives have been turned upside down, as we continue to come to terms with coping with such significant change.
One significant change resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has been the shift to working from home. As social distancing has become the norm, millions around Australia have adjusted to a new lifestyle, where home is the epicentre of work and social life in equal measure.
However, spending more time at home could mean higher energy usage. Going solar is a great way to reduce your energy consumption by harnessing the sun’s free energy to deliver power and hot water for your home. By going solar, you could reduce your reliance on the grid, which helps you keep money in your pocket during these uncertain times.
In this article, we will explore three key ways in which solar can help you significantly cut down your energy consumption, delivering peace-of-mind for you and your family.
It can be easy to assume that you would have to use less hot water to save on energy, i.e. having really quick showers. After all, conventional water heaters typically make up around 25% of a household’s energy use in Australia, which can translate to higher energy consumption as you spend more time at home with an increased need to constantly wash your hands.
However, there is a great source of free energy that we often overlook: the sun. Installing a solar hot water system is a great way to help reduce the energy you consume from the grid to produce the hot water you need; especially important now as hygiene is a huge focus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the weather begins to warm up and the days grow longer, energy-hungry appliances such as air-conditioners and pool pumps will start working overtime, which could lead to high energy bills.
Solar power systems use solar panels with photovoltaic (PV) cells that collect the light from the sun and convert it to DC current.
By switching to solar power this summer, you can stay cool whilst reducing your energy bills, a real win-win for Aussie households!
You might be wondering: “How can we use power generated from the sun at night or when it’s cloudy?”
This is a good question. After all, it is often at night when our energy use goes up. The good news is that you can save even further by storing the sun’s energy in a home battery system.
Battery storage is a smart way to offset your electricity costs as you maximise your solar energy usage. Specifically, a battery stores unused power during the day for use later on, instead of having to rely on the grid when the sun isn’t available. Supplementing your solar power system with a battery allows you to use power at night or when the sun isn’t shining.
Another way to store your energy is by installing a Solahart PowerStore. Designed and built in Australia, Solahart PowerStore is Australia’s first solar-smart electric water heater. Together with a power meter/Gateway, it captures the excess energy from your rooftop solar panels and uses it to heat your water gradually, for use at a later time. Like a battery, it stores energy (in the form of hot water), only it’s a lot more affordable.
Also read: Find out more about Solahart PowerStore
If you would like more information or to discuss your needs while you work from home, you can contact Solahart on 1300 721 984 or complete the form below for a New Safer Home Assessment at a time that suits you:
Solahart Solar-Ready water heater is a smart choice because it provides an immediate solution to your hot water needs right now and also gives you the flexibility to upgrade and save on your energy costs in the future.
Whether you need a simple solution to get back into hot water quickly, a solar water heater from day one, or the option to upgrade to energy-saving solar in the future, you’re in control.
And no matter which option you choose, enjoy the extra peace of mind with a 10-year cylinder warranty.
1: Solahart Warranty Details: 10/3/2 warranty; 10 year cylinder and collector supply, 3 year cylinder and collector labour, 2 year parts supply including labour; applies to a single family domestic dwelling only. All other applications have a 3/1/1/1 warranty; 3 year cylinder and collector supply, 1 year parts supply, 1 year labour.
2: Energy savings of up to 65% shown is based on Australian Government approved TRNSYS simulation modelling of a Solahart 302L and using a medium load in Zone 3 and apply when replacing an electric water heater. Any savings will vary depending upon your location, type of Solahart system installed, orientation and inclination of the solar collectors, type of water heater being replaced, hot water consumption and fuel tariff. Maximum financial savings off your hot water bill are achievable when replacing an electric water heater on continuous tariff. Refer to solahart.com.au for further information.
3: For a Solahart Solar Hot Water system, each STC represents 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity displaced over a 10 year period. The number of STC’s which may be created for the installation of an eligible solar water heater varies with the size and model of the solar water heater and the region (or zone) in which the unit is installed. The value of an STC is not fixed and varies depending on market factors.
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At Solahart, we’re proud to be leading Australia’s solar charge. Helping smart Aussies make a real difference to the planet, reducing their reliance on the grid, cutting their energy bills, and connecting them to their smart energy future.
Since 1953, we’ve been the trusted name in Australian solar, installing over a million solar hot water systems in over 70 countries, and over 700,000 solar power panels in Australia.
