Rooftop Solar

Solar power systems on your rooftop use renewable energy from the sun to create electricity. They reduce the amount of electricity you need from the grid and excess electricity can be directed back into the grid, or stored in a battery for later use. Solar has a number of environmental and economic benefits, including:

• Reducing your carbon footprint
• Lowering electricity bills
• Potentially attracting financial incentives from your retail energy provider

To find out more on how solar works, installing and grants available visit the NSW Government Energy Saver website.

APVI and Sunspot Tool - map your roof’s solar potential

SunSPoT is a great online tool to help you calculate how much electricity and money a solar PV system could save you at home or your business.

This is done by analysing your roof, shading, weather and solar radiation data, and combining these with your electricity usage and billing costs

Energy made easy

The Federal Government has developed an online tool to help you compare electricity and gas offers, understand your energy bills and learn about energy consumer rights. For details, go to www.energymadeeasy.gov.au.

Save energy and money at home

Being energy efficient is the number one thing you can do to reduce your power bills and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Here are a few simple changes you can make to be more energy efficient at home:

Draughts

Draughts and air leakage can lead to between 15-25% of heat loss. Keep heat from escaping your home by:

• Draught proofing gaps around external doors and windows with adhesive tapes or seals.
• Furnishing windows with heavy curtains and pelmets, window films or, in a pinch, bubble wrap.

Heating and cooling

Many households find that heating and cooling is their biggest energy expense. Cut those costs while keeping warm or cool with these energy-saving tips:

• Heat and cool with your home’s Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner. Isolate and close off to the areas you spend the most time in rather than heating and cooling the entire home
• Set your Air Conditioner or heater to 18-20℃ in winter or 23-25℃ in summer.
• Where possible, use fans with air conditioners (or better yet, instead of A/C) to circulate warm air in winter and cold air in summer
• Prioritise personal heating with items like electric blankets or heated throw rugs rather than heating the entire room. Personal heating options only cost around 3c per hour to run

Hot water

For hot water systems, adjust the thermostat to 60 degrees for a storage and 50 for an instantaneous system

• Take showers instead of baths
• Take 4-6 minute showers by using a timer
• Wash laundry in cold water
• When replacing your hot water system, install a hot water heat pump

Electronics and appliances

Here are ways to reduce your appliance’s electricity consumption:

• Use a laptop instead of a desktop computer.
• Switch TVs and computers to an energy saving setting.
• Turn off appliances and electronics at power point when not in use (except fridge)
• Set your refrigerator to 3°- 4°, and your freezer to -15° to -18°. Check your fridge/freezer door seals are intact and replace if not.

Solar for Low Income Households

The NSW Government is trialling a new way to help people on low incomes reduce their electricity bills by installing free three kilowatt solar systems on their homes. To be eligible you must be a low income homeowners that hold a valid Pensioner Concession Card or Department of Veterans’ Affairs Gold Card and are currently receiving the Low-Income Household Rebate.

Solar is a great way to reduce your environmental footprint and you can save up to $600 a year on your household electricity bills. That’s up to twice as much as the Low Income Household Rebate of $285 a year.

For more details about the program - including eligibility and how to apply - please refer to the program guide on the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment website.