With longer daylight hours and more sunshine, summer is the peak season for solar owners. This is why it’s important to get the most out of your system in order to maximise your energy bill savings. In this article we list some cost-effective tips to help you optimise your solar system this summer.
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How Can I Lower My Energy Bill Further?
If you think you’re paying more for electricity, it’s possible you are. One of the easiest ways you can lower your bill is to compare energy plans and switch to a more competitive rate. Most retailers offer a benefit period that ends after a specified period (i.e. 12 months). Once this promotional period ends, you may be paying more than necessary. At Electricity Monster, we can help you potentially lower your bill by comparing rates and finding you a fair deal from our network of partnered retailers. We may also be able to apply energy concessions to your energy account at no cost to you. Click on the link below to get our best deal and a $50 voucher.
Use Energy During Peak Daylight Hours
One of the unique benefits of having a solar system is using essentially free electricity when the sun is shining. One of the ways you can lower your power bill is to run more energy-hungry appliances and devices during daylight hours (10am to 2pm) rather than at night or in the early morning. You can also choose to avoid using said appliances during peak times when energy prices are generally much higher. This allows you to rely more on the solar power generated from your system instead of buying electricity from the grid, which can cost 3 to 4 times more than what you gain through a solar feed-in tariff.
This step coincides with monitoring your energy usage. Electricity appliances you see using a significant amount of energy can instead be turned on during the daylight hours mentioned above. By doing so, you’re maximising your solar system’s energy output and lowering your power bill simultaneously.
Check Your Solar System
A safe and efficient solar PV system is important for many reasons, the most obvious being that a broken-down unit is effectively useless. Be sure to check the status lights on the inverter and the display panel for any error messages. If you have safe access to your solar panels, you can also see if there is dirt, bird droppings, or foliage hindering your panels. Even the smallest shade on a single panel can reduce the overall amount of power your system generates. By keeping shade away from your solar panels, you can effectively keep them operating at a high capacity. If you notice a significant drop in solar output, you may want to schedule a solar professional to inspect and potentially repair any issues.
Accredited solar installers or licensed electricians offer inspections and service checks that can keep your solar system fully operational.
Monitor Your Energy Usage
Your household’s overall energy consumption can play a role in making the most out of your solar power. Checking and understanding how much energy you and your family use can be done through online monitoring systems and your smart meter. Most of the time, these systems can provide you with real-time data on your energy consumption as well as your solar panel’s energy usage and overall performance. In some cases, you’ll be able to see the total amount of excess solar power your PV system is feeding back to the main grid.
By being conscious of your energy consumption, you and your family can maximise the efficiency of your solar system and utilise your system’s solar output to effectively lower your power bills. Consider the fact that blindly using energy without monitoring how much solar energy your system is actually generating could lead to more power purchased from the grid – which effectively leads to a higher energy bill.
Make Sure You’re On a Good Energy Plan
A good electricity plan can lead to savings that translate to lower power bills. If you haven’t compared the energy market in a while, there’s a chance you could be paying more for power than you should. Many providers offer energy plans that cater to solar owners with perks like high solar feed-in tariffs, which are credits paid to you by your energy retailer and applied to your energy bill, and even competitive rates when consumers purchase power from the grid.
Comparing the market however, can be stressful and time-consuming. We recommend calling Electricity Monster as we can help assess your energy needs, analyse your power bill, and provide you with a number of free solutions to help lower your energy bill. We work with a number of trusted electricity retailers, which allows us to provide you with the best deal we have available. Best of all, our service is 100% FREE. Give us a call today to learn more.
Make Sure You Have a Good Solar Feed-in Tariff Rate
A solar feed-in tariff is a financial credit that you can receive for sending excess electricity back to the main grid. This helps contribute to the overall sustainability of the grid and allows you to share surplus energy with others.
Solar feed-in tariffs (FiTs) can vary depending on your location, your solar system size, and the energy retailer you sign up with. It’s important to take the time to take a look at your power bill or contact your current provider to find out what you’re feed-in tariff rate you’re getting for each kilowatt-hour of solar energy you are exporting to the grid. If you’re on a bad rate, or think you could be getting a better FiT, call Electricity Monster and we can compare feed-in tariff rates within our network of partnered retailers and even get you a better deal on your energy.
Install a Solar Battery
A solar battery stores excess energy generated from your solar PV system. This energy can then be used at night or later in the day when your solar system is generating less power due to the sun going down, which can lower your overall reliance on the grid. The less power you buy from the grid, the less money you’ll spend paying to the energy retailers.
If you’re in the market for a solar battery, you’ll want to ensure that the battery you’re interested in is compatible with your current solar system. In certain cases, solar owners will purchase a solar battery only to discover that it doesn’t fit in their system. Call us today if you have any questions regarding solar batteries.
Let Electricity Monster Help You
At Electricity Monster, we can provide you with various free solutions at no cost to you. If you’re looking for a new energy plan, our energy experts will find you the best we have within our network of partnered retailers. We can also provide you with a plan that offers a competitive solar feed-in tariff, so you maximise your rate of return.
Have questions about a new solar system? We can help. Give our team a call today and let use provide you with the solution to your energy and solar needs.
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Benjamin Tom
Benjamin Tom covers the retail energy market, with a focus on electricity, solar, and Internet. His interests include helping people navigate the complexities of the energy market while saving money on their power bills.