Every season the same old ‘hot’ tips and tricks get rolled out in the media. The tips promise to help you save on your power bill, but rarely make much of an impact.
They are typically a variation of the following:
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Use less hot water
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Turn off appliances when not in use
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Insulate your roof
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Open blinds in winter and close them in summer
While these tips can be helpful, they cannot make up for the fact that the wholesale cost of electricity in Australia was up 141% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to last year1.
So don’t waste your energy. If you’re serious about reducing your power bill, then there’s one option that can make a real impact, both for your pocket and the planet.
Be your own source of power
Reducing your reliance on fossil fuels and investing in solar energy to power your home could save you time, energy, and money (not to mention the good karma and bragging rights that come with contributing to a clean energy future for our planet).
However, with so many different solar energy system options to consider, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are three tips to help you make an informed choice:
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Choosing higher quality inverter and solar panel technology can pay dividends in the long run by reducing quality issues, as well as maximising the system’s lifespan and return on investment. In a CHOICE member survey on solar PV systems, only 3% of Enphase microinverter owners reported problems. This is significantly lower than owners of the leading traditional inverter manufacturers2.
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Beyond quality components, choosing Safer Solar technology – products that reduce the risk of electrical arc faults, solar-related fires, and electrocution – means you never have to worry about dangerous high-voltage direct current (DC) electricity running across your roof. Enphase microinverter-based solar systems only contain the same standard alternating current (AC) electricity that powers your appliances.
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When choosing a solar installer, it’s vital that you do your research to ensure the quality of solar products you choose is matched by quality workmanship. Ensure your solar installer is Clean Energy Council accredited, well reviewed on Google and other platforms, and awarded or acknowledged for the level of customer service they provide. Installers in the Enphase Installer Network (EIN) are constantly audited to ensure the highest installation standards and customer satisfaction.
Have the brightest house on the street without any guilt
Getting solar is also a big step towards ditching gas and embracing an all-electric life. An all-electric home can be optimised with solar to produce its own clean energy from the sun, a battery to store excess solar energy for use when electricity rates peak or when the grid goes down, and powerful home energy management software that puts you in control.
Enphase brings solar, batteries, and software together in one complete package, enabling homeowners to make, use, save, and sell their own power—all through a smart mobile app. It’s tomorrow’s energy, today.
Unlike older technology, the Enphase Energy System allows you to start small and scale up as required. For example, you can begin with a few Enphase microinverter-equipped solar panels and then add a battery and more panels down the road as your energy needs evolve.
Beyond just saving money, living in an Enphase-powered home means you can run on the sun and leave the lights on guilt-free instead of hunting for ways to cut down the power you use.
While the current state of the world means the supply and cost of fossil fuel energy is more unpredictable than ever before, it’s nice to know you can rely on a clean energy source that hasn’t missed a day of sunshine in over four billion years.
Reference
1 https://www.aer.gov.au/wholesale-markets/wholesale-statistics
2 https://www.choice.com.au/home-improvement/energy-saving/solar/buying-guides/solar-inverters
