If you have been thinking of installing solar panels for a while now and the next clear step is to get a solar quote, let us tell you a crucial step that you don’t want to miss before you harness the sun’s energy. Consider your current home’s energy efficiency so you can increase the return on your solar investment. Why?
The more energy-efficient your home is, the less it requires electricity, thus allowing your solar panels to generate more surplus energy that you can sell back to the grid or store in a battery for use later. Here are some key steps you can take to optimise your home’s energy efficiency before installing solar panels. Check out the energy efficiency tips below:
Know your energy usage
How you use energy at home impacts solar efficiency. Review your energy bills to determine any daily, weekly, monthly and seasonal peaks in your energy usage. Note when energy peaks occur and check your consumption during these times.
To find out what your average daily usage is, locate your electricity bill. All major Australian retailers provide a snapshot of your daily usage.
This will show how much money you spend and how much electricity you use on average every day in your home. Therefore, you can use this information to calculate the size of the solar system that will meet your household’s energy needs. Depending on the way you heat and cool your home, you might find that summer is the most expensive and inefficient time of the year.
Once you understand what’s causing the peaks, you can make small changes to prevent them from happening that will optimise energy usage.
Adjust your home’s thermostat
The most power-hungry parts of your home are usually those that maintain the temperature. With control over the amount of energy your home consumes through the thermostat, you can make your home more energy-efficient. Your thermostat settings tell your air conditioner when to turn on and off, based on the time of day and temperature. Some are equipped with the latest digital tech that lets homeowners set and monitor them remotely, which delivers a higher level of control over your system even when you’re not home.
On the other hand, even if you only have a basic thermostat at home, you still get control. In winter, set your heating to 18-20°C. Raising it above 20°C can significantly increase energy consumption. In summer, set it to 24-26°C when cooling. Every degree lower than this can increase your energy usage by around 5-10%.
Get rid of old appliances
You might think that your old appliances are still working well, so why do you need to replace them, right? Despite old appliances appearing to be in good condition, they might be consuming more energy than you think. In some cases, they could be one of the reasons you have higher energy bills.
Consider replacing your old appliances to make your home more energy-efficient before going solar. Replace them with high energy-star-rated models. An energy rating label conveys the appliance’s energy efficiency—higher ratings mean greater energy efficiency. The energy usage is in kWh per year, which will give you an idea of the amount of energy it will use in a year. Most energy ratings on appliances will have a star rating between 1-6, but some can be rated up to 10.
Keep in mind, that the following home appliances should come with Energy Rating Labels:
· Air conditioners
· Swimming pool pumps
· Clothes dryers
· Computer monitors
· Dishwashers
· Freezers
· Refrigerators
· Televisions
· Washing machines
Dishwashers and washing machines may come with two labels—one is the Energy Rating Label and the other is Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS). WELS rates the water efficiency of an appliance and is better between one and six stars.
Consider your hot water system, too. Upgrading your electric or gas system to a solar hot water or heat pump system could save you thousands each year.
Seal air leaks and cracks
Australian homeowners are extremely familiar with the discomfort brought on by drafts during cold snaps or heatwaves. This is why air tightness at home is important. Improving air tightness is actually an easy and affordable way to lower energy bills. Homes that meet the recommended airtightness levels are more comfortable and have more energy-efficient homes.
A study by Michael Ambrose found that new homes today are 50 per cent more airtight compared to homes built in 2015. It also revealed that the most common air leaks found in new homes have an average permeability rate of 6.9 m³/hr/m²@50Pa. They are usually due to poorly sealed exhaust fans, missing window and door seals, and leaks via heating and cooling ductwork. On the other hand, apartments were found to be very airtight.
You can have these leaks fixed professionally, which will cost you and average of between $100 and $1,000. The best approach is to seal the largest holes followed by sizable cracks and penetrations.
Switch to LED bulbs
If you’re still using incandescent bulbs, then it’s time to switch to LEDs. Incandescent bulbs use more energy compared to modern replacements. LED bulbs are the best option because they use up to 80% less energy and can last up to 25 times longer compared to traditional bulbs.
You can reduce your energy consumption further by checking the wattage and brightness levels according to your needs. There are also smart bulbs you can invest in that lets you control them via a smartphone app or smart speaker.
Add window treatments
One of the most cost-effective ways to regulate the temperature in your home is adding shades, may it be curtains or blinds. They can regulate heat loss and gain through your windows. During the colder months, the right window treatments can also reduce heat loss and keep your home warm.
To get the most out of the energy-saving benefits of window treatments, choose blinds or curtains designed to improve your home’s insulation. A good example is thick curtains that come with a thermal lining that can reduce heat loss and improve your home’s overall insulation.
Insulate the walls
Another effective way to reduce heat transfer and improve your home’s energy efficiency is through wall insulation. Insulation can reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs by up to 40% and increase overall comfort in the long term.
In Australia, there are two main types of wall insulation—bulk and reflective foil. If you live in a hot and sunny environment, you can go for reflective insulation as it is more effective in keeping the heat out. Bulk insulation is ideal for homes in more moderate or volatile climates where it gets cool in the winter and hot during the summer.
You can also combine bulk and reflective insulation to boost your R-value and increase thermal resistance. However, it all comes down to your goal. If pure insulation from heat and cold is your goal, then a combination of both can help you achieve your goal.
What’s next?
Once you’ve optimised your home’s energy efficiency, the next step is solar installation prep. Consider factors like system size, orientation, panel efficiency, inverter selection, and available incentives. Then, make sure you choose a reliable solar installer.
Energy Matters is a top solar quotes provider in Australia. Get your FREE solar quotes here and we’ll connect you to the top solar installers in your area.
