When you’re on the verge of installing a new solar panel system, you need to prepare your household accordingly. Fortunately, you won’t need to make any drastic changes. But, whether you’re installing a 6.6kV solar panel system or something bigger, there are a few changes you may want to make to your home.
Adopt smart energy-use tactics
Your solar panels will be at their best during the day. This is the point at which they’re receiving direct sunlight, which means there’s solar energy available for you to use. To make the most of their daytime functionality, you need to adopt smart energy-use tactics.
You can start by running some of your devices during the daytime. For example, if you use an electric cooker, consider switching to using a slow cooker a few times a week. Or, if you wash clothes regularly or use a dishwasher, try placing them on a timer so that they run when your panels are receiving the most energy. With these simple changes, you’ll use less energy from the grid and more energy from your panels.
Adapt to eco-friendly habits
In addition to changing when you use your electrical goods, change how you use them. For example, 35% of the energy you use each year goes towards heating water. If you have an electric water heater, start shaving some time off your daily shower to cut your energy costs. Additionally, you could try running your washing machine at a lower heat and set your dishwasher to a shorter cycle.
Try to adopt one eco-friendly habit at a time and encourage the rest of your household to do so. By taking small steps instead of making drastic changes, you’re more likely to succeed in implementing them.
Use LED with your solar panel system
If any of your lights or lamps depend on incandescent bulbs, now’s the time to get rid of them. In addition to breaking far more often than their LED counterparts, they use a lot more energy. LED bulbs use around 75% less energy. When you consider the number of lights there are in your household, there are some significant savings to be made.
If you’re still using incandescent bulbs, switch to LED ahead of your solar power installation. It’ll have a significant impact on your energy usage and prevent you from having to turn to mains electricity unnecessarily.
Use an electric water heater
Depending on the size of your system, you may have some energy to spare. For example, if you use a 6.6kV solar panel system and your property only needs a 5kV one, you may be producing excess solar energy.
To reduce the likelihood that your energy will go to waste, switch to an electric water heater if you don’t already have one. In addition to this, you should set your tank to heat during the day when your panel output is at its highest.
At Arise Solar, we install 6.6kV solar panel systems and more throughout Australia. To discuss your needs with us or to get a quote, complete our form.
