A recent survey showed that due to skyrocketing electricity prices, 15% of Australians are considering installing solar panels. In addition to 28% of panel owners, 6% are already considering switching.
As costs decrease, the average system size grows rapidly. Houses are now typically equipped with 8–10kW solar panels, often with batteries – rooftop area often limits the size of the system.
But does this guarantee no electricity bills in the future? No, some people still pay big bills.
That’s because they often put power on the grid during peak hours of sunshine, when retailers pay low rates of 5 cents per kilowatt-hour or less (an answer to rooftop solar surges). To encourage customers to use energy during this time, retailers offer generous rates for the duration of use (“solar sponge”).
But during periods of peak demand, when solar capacity is low or zero (approximately 6:00 am to 10:00 am and 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm), the cost doubles. Most rooftop solar owners are still paying for the electricity they use at the time.
Heating and cooling accounts for 30-45% of a typical home’s energy consumption. Our tests at the University of South Australia have shown that air conditioners consume more energy with age. However, many homes have air conditioners that are over 10 years old and rated 2-3 stars. A modern split system with 6 stars consumes less than half the power.
Users can use their mobile phones to remotely program or control the air conditioner so that it runs for an hour or two before leaving home. They then use cheap solar power to build a comfortable home. Smart and accessible controls can also reduce cooling or heating when it senses that the room is empty or when a window is open.
As a rule, from a quarter to one third of the energy consumed is for hot water. The abundance of solar energy and skyrocketing natural gas prices make heat pump water heaters an ideal choice. With government subsidies, their initial cost is similar to traditional gas or electric systems, and they typically use one-third of the energy.
Plus, they can be programmed to heat and store water during peak solar generation, providing virtually free hot water when needed.
There are many other smart appliances and fixtures. Induction hobs provide fast and impressive results using little electricity. Along with microwaves, air fryers and pressure cookers, they reduce energy consumption. Ovens and multicookers can be programmed to use solar energy and cook when we get home.
In addition to high-end options, clothes and dish washing and drying appliances can be easily set to work when the sun is shining.
Energy efficient refrigerators also reduce costs. However, while people are happy to buy these refrigerators, our research has shown that some people use their old refrigerators to store drinks, using three to four times more electricity than their old refrigerators.
Homes with pools or spas are notorious for having the highest energy bills. A swimming pool typically consumes 2000-3000 kWh of electricity per year (depending on pump type, duration of use and pool heating) and costs AUD 700-1200. Solar pool heaters are a great option. A simple timer switch ensures that most of the energy is consumed during sundial.
A typical outdoor spa uses 5 kW to heat and circulate water. If you keep the thermostat warm all the time, you are losing a lot of heat to the environment. By setting a timer, you can use solar heating and have your spa ready after hours.
The key to getting the most out of solar power is to prevent wastage and match power timing to your home’s needs. An affordable smart control system – for the whole house or individual appliances – can do just that.
The system can set a 7-day schedule for all fixtures. It can turn off the lights and air conditioner after you leave the house. On a hot day, he can lower the blinds, turn on the ceiling fan and air conditioner before you return, and then adjust the temperature in the bedroom for a comfortable night’s sleep.
With improved energy supply and demand forecasting and artificial intelligence, future controllers will provide optimal energy selection with minimal human intervention. If smart gadgets aren’t for you, simple timers cost less than $10.
Energy storage remains a key technology for use at night and on days without sunlight. A recent Conversation article discussed household batteries.
Another new technology is thermal batteries for heating and cooling. During daylight hours, reverse cycle air conditioners produce heat or cold to be stored in thermal batteries (usually in the form of hot or cold water) for later use.
Grid-connected electric vehicles will go a long way towards making better use of electricity on rooftops and storing it for evening use. Their batteries have several times the capacity of household batteries.
With 45 energy retailers operating across southern and eastern Australia, each offering different rates, it’s no wonder consumers don’t know which one to choose. The Australian Energy Regulator provides the most reliable advice. By uploading some basic data, including the National Meter Identifier (NMI) on your invoice, you can find the best deal based on your registered electricity consumption.
Using this site, my son, despite owning a large solar system, pays $800 in bills quarterly, reaching a potential annual bill of less than $1,500 just by switching retailers. Setting a timer to make their outdoor spa run on solar instead of paying 33 cents per kWh can save up to $5 a day in addition. Their goal of not having electricity bills is becoming a reality.
We are witnessing the emergence of a new Australian dream of living in a well-designed home with solar panels on the roof, electric vehicles and intelligently controlled energy saving appliances. This will allow most one-story/two-story houses to be carbon neutral, living in comfort without breaking the bank too much.
Wasim Saman, Professor Emeritus of Sustainable Energy at the University of South Australia.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here.
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