Solahart Brisbane Blog

Why Solar Should be a Part of Your Next Renovation

Any home renovation is exciting. The anticipation of seeing the final result makes all the thinking, planning and work worth it. The ultimate goal of a renovation project, no matter how big or small, is to improve a home and see aspirational ideas come to life. This includes increasing its value, energy efficiency, and comfort, which helps us connect to our home on a deeper level.

Did you know that by going solar, you can tick all these boxes? In this article, we will explore some key reasons why solar technology should be part of your next home renovation.

1. Increase the Value of Your Home

According to research from realestate.com.au, installing solar products has the potential to increase a home’s value; and other than improving our lifestyle, adding value to our real estate, is a nice side effect to have when embarking on a renovation project. In fact, the survey positioned solar technology as top-of-mind when it came to green living.

Some of the findings were:

  • 85% of Australians say that solar panels would add value to a home.
  • 78% of Australians say that solar hot water would increase a home’s value.
  • Two in five renters would pay up to $10 extra per week for a home with solar.
  • Solar technology helps homeowners realise that certain aspects of their home, such as the roof, can be a great asset, especially when living in a country where sunshine is abundant.
2. Increase the Energy Efficiency of Your Home

Going solar is an investment that would help you reduce your energy consumption by harnessing the sun’s free energy to deliver power and hot water for your home, instead of relying only on the grid.

This means that by considering a clean and green source of energy in your renovation plans, it could actually help you keep more money in your pocket over time, and protect you from increasing grid-energy costs.

Key stats:

  • A conventional water heater typically makes up about 25% of a household’s energy use in Australia. So, installing a solar hot water heater can help you make a big difference to your energy consumption. In fact, you could save up to 65% of your hot water energy use if you replace your current gas or electric water heater with a solar water heater.
  • 2017-18 saw 23% growth in solar generation, indicating that there is a significant shift towards increased energy productivity.
3. Go Green and Help Save the Planet

Did you know that 60% of the electricity consumed by the average Aussie household is generated from coal? But there is a smarter way to power your home. Like using energy free from the sun.

Solar helps you make a significant contribution to the environment, as it uses a natural power source to deliver energy and hot water for your home. As a result, you are also doing your bit to reduce greenhouse emissions.

For example, a Solahart solar water heater can help you save up to 1.6 to 2.7 tonnes of carbon emissions per year. So, your next renovation is a great opportunity to make a difference.

4. Home Builder Grant

In June 2020, the Australian government introduced the HomeBuilder Grant. This scheme provides eligible owner-occupiers with $25,000 to complete a home renovation or new build.

The HomeBuilder Grant now provides eligible homeowners with the opportunity to add a complete solar package solution including solar hot water, solar power and battery storage to complement their renovation plans.

3 Ways to Save Energy Consumption as You Work From Home

The impact of COVID-19 on the lives of millions has been unimaginable. Our work and personal lives have been turned upside down, as we continue to come to terms with coping with such significant change.

One significant change resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has been the shift to working from home. As social distancing has become the norm, millions around Australia have adjusted to a new lifestyle, where home is the epicentre of work and social life in equal measure.

However, spending more time at home could mean higher energy usage. Going solar is a great way to reduce your energy consumption by harnessing the sun’s free energy to deliver power and hot water for your home. By going solar, you could reduce your reliance on the grid, which helps you keep money in your pocket during these uncertain times.

In this article, we will explore three key ways in which solar can help you significantly cut down your energy consumption, delivering peace-of-mind for you and your family.

1. Use Solar to Reduce your Hot Water Energy Consumption

It can be easy to assume that you would have to use less hot water to save on energy, i.e. having really quick showers. After all, conventional water heaters typically make up around 25% of a household’s energy use in Australia, which can translate to higher energy consumption as you spend more time at home with an increased need to constantly wash your hands.

However, there is a great source of free energy that we often overlook: the sun. Installing a solar hot water system is a great way to help reduce the energy you consume from the grid to produce the hot water you need; especially important now as hygiene is a huge focus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Stay Cool this Summer Without the Huge Energy Bills

As the weather begins to warm up and the days grow longer, energy-hungry appliances such as air-conditioners and pool pumps will start working overtime, which could lead to high energy bills.

Solar power systems use solar panels with photovoltaic (PV) cells that collect the light from the sun and convert it to DC current.

By switching to solar power this summer, you can stay cool whilst reducing your energy bills, a real win-win for Aussie households!

3. Store Your Energy to Make the Most of your Solar System

You might be wondering: “How can we use power generated from the sun at night or when it’s cloudy?”

This is a good question. After all, it is often at night when our energy use goes up. The good news is that you can save even further by storing the sun’s energy in a home battery system.

Battery storage is a smart way to offset your electricity costs as you maximise your solar energy usage. Specifically, a battery stores unused power during the day for use later on, instead of having to rely on the grid when the sun isn’t available. Supplementing your solar power system with a battery allows you to use power at night or when the sun isn’t shining.

Another way to store your energy is by installing a Solahart PowerStore. Designed and built in Australia, Solahart PowerStore is Australia’s first solar-smart electric water heater. Together with a power meter/Gateway, it captures the excess energy from your rooftop solar panels and uses it to heat your water gradually, for use at a later time. Like a battery, it stores energy (in the form of hot water), only it’s a lot more affordable.

Top