Author: Brian August 24, 2021

Guest Post by Travis Sanchez

With the steep rise in electricity prices never seeming to come to an end, it’s time to look into other energy sources, one of which is solar power.

The sun shines in unlimited quantities onto the earth’s surface every day.

If you can take advantage of this under-tapped natural resource, you’re set to see huge savings on your energy bills.

Skilled electricians can significantly help provide you with advice on incorporating solar power into your home.

Interested to know more?

Here are some pro tips from solar electricians that you may want to follow if you want your solar power venture to be a success:

Get As Many Solar Panels As Possible

One of the most commonly-asked questions regarding solar power is how many solar panels will a household need to create an efficient energy source.

This is one of the questions that can be professionally answered by electricians in Albany WA.

Of course, it also pays if you have a working knowledge about the concept and how many you need for your home.

If you ask any solar electrician, they’ll undoubtedly say the same thing: you can have as many solar panels on your roof as possible.

It’s even recommended if your goal is to reduce power costs since the number of panels can greatly determine how fast the payback period will be.

If you really want to understand how to maximise your solar power investment, be sure to talk to your installer.

Don’t Just Focus On North-Facing Panels

You may have heard that north-facing panels are likely to generate the most electricity overall.

While this is correct, such panels are give most benefit if you and your family are mostly home during the day.

If you are, north panels will work best for you since you’ll be there to use power as generated by your solar system.

Likewise, it’ll be easier to shift demand using different devices and appliances any time of the day.

However, suppose you’re like other homeowners who work during the day and won’t be home until late afternoon to evening. In that case,

it’s recommended to look into different solar panel directions. East-facing solar modules, for instance, generate more electricity earlier in the morning, and west facing later in the day and evening.

You can also consider having an east/west split orientation as this is suitable for homeowners who won’t be in the house during the day.

Run Your Hot Water Pump During The Afternoon

Another culprit of rising home energy bills is heating water.

In chilly temperatures, it’s normal to want to use warm water for virtually every household chore.

A solar power system would suffice to heat water for all your household needs.

One of the best and economical ways to heat water at home is to run a heat pump during the afternoon.

Doing so also means that you’re using solar power instead of simply importing it.

As such, you’ll save money compared to using gas.

Do The Same When Heating Your Swimming Pool Or Spa

A heat pump can also be used to heat your swimming pool or spa

Just like how you would in your household water needs, it’s best to run the heat pump during the afternoon to save more on power and gas.

Additionally, it’s also a great way to make sure your warm pool or spa will be ready for you to enjoy when you get home. There’s nothing more relaxing than spending time in the warm water to ease the stress away.

Another way is to cover the entire pool with a solar blanket. Leaving the cover intact for about 12 hours increases the water temperature by about 5 degrees Fahrenheit.

For best results, try the transparent ones that effortlessly allow solar radiation into the pool.

Alternatively, you can use solar rings in the pool, which takes the form of 59-inch-wide inflatable disks.

You only have to place as many of them in your pool to cover about 80%. They work the same way as solar blankets.

Use Solar Power To Store Energy In Batteries

With the significant drop in solar battery prices these days, it’s only logical to assume that storing solar energy is also cost-effective in more ways than one.

Suppose your system produces a surplus of electrical power.

Having a battery bank lets you store the excess energy rather than sending it back into the grid.

Just imagine how advantageous it’ll be to have power stored for emergency use.

It’s a great way to maximise the benefits of your solar power system.

Make Use Of Timers In Your Appliances

Thanks to the advancement of technology, many modern appliances now come with built-in timers that allow you to run them during peak solar times.

You can opt to set the timers so not all appliances will be working or running at the same time.

It’s also a relief knowing that when you’re not home, you can choose which devices will continue to run as needed and set them off when it’s time to do so.

For example, you can time the washing machine in the morning around 10 to 11 a.m.

When it’s done, you can set the timer for the dishwasher or other appliances, depending on your preference.

In Conclusion

When it comes to improving your home, going solar could be the best decision you’ll ever make.

However, if you want to maximise its benefits and make the most out of your investment, you can consider the above-mentioned pro tips from solar electricians.

That way, you can incorporate solar power into your home more efficiently, productively, and cost-effectively, too.

 

Travis Sanchez
Travis Sanchez is an electrical specialist. He has been in the industry for more than nine years. He shares his skills and expertise through guest blogging. During his free time, Travis enjoys fishing, hiking, and boating.