Solar
Heating
The jury is still out on this one, Let’s look at the good, the bad and the ugly.
First up if you want a battery, that’s fine and you may have a specific reason and you may have done your research.
Firstly, all Solar Panel installs are battery ready if you wanted to add one in later.
Price? This can vary but you could be looking at anything up to $20,0000 for a quality battery to install, in addition to the cost of solar system. There are some cheaper batteries out there however you will need to do your research or talk with the providers of these batteries about quality and warranties.
Consider that a top of the range 6.64 kW system can be installed is around $7,500* net after rebates. You need to make the decision based on the financial outlay if a battery is necessary? Ask yourself………..
“How long do I intend to stay in this home”?
“Am I better off using the savings from not installing a battery going towards my power costs overall”?
Remember you only pay for power when the sun can’t provide it and overnight power usage may be only minimal anyway and is supplied at an off-peak rate.
Other things to consider, batteries don’t kick in during a blackout, you need some extra work to have this provided into your solar/battery package for back-up power. A battery is a battery, most have a 10 year warranty, which means you must consider the cost of a replacement from then.
Our Crystal ball doesn’t tell us if batteries will come down in price, we know that power prices don’t…. so just keep all this in mind and if you can’t decide based on this, call us for advice on Solar and Batteries.
See our FAQ on Off-Grid and Hybrid too.
*(Basic install, government rebates and battery install pricing at time of writing)
Absolutely! You see, with a solar power system, you’re using free energy from the sun. The energy from the sun is absorbed by the solar panels and either used by you immediately or fed back to the grid.That’s free electricity, and you get paid for selling back to the grid! (currently 10.869 c/kWh)
It is only when you use all the energy generated by the system, that you revert to using the energy billed to you by your electricity provider. This is money back into your pocket, and a reduction of your overall household expenses.
Want to know how much you can actually save? Request a free analysis and we will give you a tailored estimate of your costs and projected earnings.
The concept of generating energy from solar panels is actually very simple. Basically it is: The sunlight hits the solar panels. The panels generate DC electricity. The electricity is converted into AC 240 volt electricity by the inverter (included in a system). It then goes to your new electricity meter to run your home electricity. The surplus electricity that is not consumed is fed back into the grid and used by your neighbours.
Would you like to know more? See our more detailed explanation of how solar grid connect works.
This just means the energy you produce. This excess energy goes back to the grid. If you can utilise your free energy as much as possible during daylight hours, then your feed in is lower because, obviously, you are using it. If you rarely take advantage of using your system during daylight hours, your feed in is higher. That excess you produce, is credited back to you at around 10.869 cents per kilowatt hour from Aurora* and 10.869 cents per kilowatt hour from another Tasmanian provider, First Energy*. However, if you are an RACT member, First Energy will also provide a further 6% off all Usage charges.
Both are modest credits, it may never be enough to eliminate your power bills, However a credit off your power bill none the less.
Clearly the most cost effective use of your solar energy produced is to use it yourself.
*July 2023
There is a lot of confusion about Government rebates and how some companies sell the benefit. The rebates have been around for a long time and are always available to the public installing solar.
The federal Government rebate is deducted from the gross price of the system from your installer, rebate prices vary based on solar panel capacity, not the inverter’s size, adding panels over and above the inverter capacity helps with rebates.
The best time to buy is now as rebates are slowly reducing. If considering solar get it from an approved Clean Energy Council accredited installer using the CEC approved inverters and panels.
Beware mainland companies using clever (but misleading) information about rebates to get you in their system as a lead.
The rebates phase out in 2031, here’s how the rebates have worked and based on a 6.6kW solar system.
2023 the rebate is $2592
Going Off Grid isn’t as simple as having a battery and waving goodbye to your electricity provider (Although we all dream of that!)
You may need more than one battery, a secured shed to house them, special electronic controllers for charge and disbursement and a generator and fuel storage (Yes, you’ll need one).
Reasons to go off grid……If you are off the beaten track and the ease of connection to the grid may be kilometres away or you are in an area prone to blackouts.
Hybrid
You could use the Hybrid version which is simply that you stay connected to the grid and still use batteries to store and use when there is no daylight. If you are in the burbs, this is far more practical and definitely cheaper.
At Jessups Solar Squad we strongly believe that only top quality systems are worth investing in. High quality equipment costs more to purchase, but you are rewarded with a system that will last for decades, give the highest yields and have almost no maintenance costs.
Beware of sub standard alternatives, there is a real difference. Unfortunately, we hear from Tasmanians that are very disappointed and out of pocket after choosing sub standard equipment. Many systems look similar so be sure to know the difference.
We only provide the best quality equipment backed by long warranties.
Jessups Started in 1939 and has been evolving ever since. In 1984 as Jessups Retail, it was a diverse retail and electrical business even incorporating a record bar. In 2013 the focus turned to Energy Efficiency and Solar changing its name and location, branded it then as Jessups Solar Squad.
Today Jessups Solar Squad still has a core business in Solar Installation reducing the power bills of its customers from predominantly in the North of the state.
Based in Launceston, our team of Solar Consultants are always happy to chat to you about Solar to give you a clear understanding of how it all works.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation on social media and from door to door salespeople that can blur the fine line of Solar Installs, this can include misinformation of the government rebates, Solar costs and the trappings of these operators offering finance that is far from being in your favour.
As Molly used to say, “Do yourself a favour” and use a trusted local company with a local shop front, employing locals.
Jessups Solar Squad has committed to providing a high level of customer service and a minimum five-year whole of system and installation warranty on all solar systems after signing on to the Clean Energy Council Solar Retailer Code of Conduct.
The code of conduct, which is currently the only solar industry code of conduct authorised by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), is designed to give consumers peace of mind when making the decision to invest in a solar system by helping them select a quality retailer.
Clean Energy Council Chief Executive Kane Thornton said people had a lot of things to consider when making a major purchase such as a solar energy system, and the process could be confusing. “By choosing to buy from a business that has signed up to our voluntary Solar Retailer Code of Conduct, you are choosing a business which has committed to a higher standard of quality and service,” he said.
“The solar industry is well regulated, with all systems needing to meet Australian standards and be installed by a specially trained and accredited solar installer. This code is another important step that provides consumers with even greater confidence, and the ability to select a retailer who guarantees a high level of customer service.”
Jesups Solar Squad spokesperson Mike Dadd said customers should look for the Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer logo to choose a business that has signed on to the code.A full list of Approved Solar Retailers can be found at approvedsolarretailer.com.au.
Customers can expect that a Clean Energy Council Approved Solar Retailer will:
Pre-sale
➢ ensure that sales representatives act ethically at all times
➢ not engage in any dishonest or misleading advertising or sales tactics
➢ educate consumers about their purchase by supplying essential information about the system in writing before entering into a contract. This includes site-specific full system design and an average daily performance estimate for each month of solar generation
Post-sale
➢ uphold consumers’ legal rights relating to cooling-off periods and refunds. They will give customers the chance to cancel a contract and obtain a full refund if any changes are made that are not approved in writing (including variations to system design)
➢ provide a minimum five year warranty covering the operation and performance of the entire solar system
➢ fully inform customers about the processes involved between system installation and network connection, or facilitate this process on their behalf
General business
➢ provide consumers will all required documentation after the system is installed
➢ adhere to all existing legislation and regulations
➢ be fully accountable for the actions of any subcontracted parties, including Clean Energy Council-accredited installers/designers
➢ have a fair and transparent complaints process, and respond to customers within 21 days of them making a complaint
Please contact Jessups Solar Squad representative Mike Dadd on 1300 552 785 or info@solarsquad.com.au for more information or to arrange a free no obligation quote.
A heat pump is also known as a ‘split system’ or a reverse cycle air-conditioner. The description ‘split system’ refers to a unit which is made up of two separate units that work together. A split system heat pump is a unit that has one part affixed inside the home and the other outdoors. The description ‘reverse cycle’ comes about as a heat pump can be used for both heating and cooling.
So, in short, a heat pump is an air-conditioner that also has a heating mode with both an indoor and outdoor unit..
Daikin explains this as basically, that a heat pump is a reverse cycle airconditioner that is used to cool your home in summer and warm your home in winter, all with one energy-efficient unit. Hands down, it’s one of the most efficient ways to heat your home using electricity.
There are so many advantages to using a reverse cycle air conditioning system for cooling and heating in either Wall mounted, Floor standing or Ducted.
In Heating mode, it’s all about the heating technique! A reverse cycle air conditioner works very differently to conventional gas or portable electric heaters. Conventional heaters have to ‘create’ heat energy, while a reverse cycle system ‘absorbs’ heat from the outdoor air to warm the air inside, which is a more energy efficient technique.
Click here for an Image describing this process.
The unit works in the opposite way to cooling, in that it draws heat in from the air outside before distributing it around the room. To get a bit technical, a refrigerant is passed through an external coil, absorbing heat from the outside air. This refrigerant is then pumped through a compressor into a fan coil unit inside the home, releasing heat into the room. It doesn’t have to be warm outside for the unit to do this, as it can perform this function even in freezing conditions. Built with cold conditions in mind, a good reverse cycle air conditioner will have an automatic defrost cycle for more effective operation. So even when the mercury drops as low as minus 15oC, your reverse cycle air conditioner can still heat your home. Then with a flick of the switch, your reverse cycle air conditioner is now in cooling mode. Again, using a super-energy efficient system, the unit will absorb heat from the inside air and dissipate it outside, leaving your home cooler.
Click here for an Image describing this process.
Today’s modern technology means your air conditioning unit can cool your home in temperatures as high as 46 oC.
The one word you’ll hear over and over again when talking about reverse cycle systems is efficient… efficient in terms of energy use, efficient in cost over time, efficient in heating and efficient in cooling, making them a very good investment in comfort and health.
And as electricity prices continue to rise, air conditioner efficiency is becoming increasingly important.
It is important to choose the correct model of heat pump, this will ensure that you get the maximum energy efficiency benefits. It is not easy to choose the right appliance to buy. That’s because there are many factors to consider, including the brand, model, capacity, warranty, size of your home, home design, and many more.But don’t worry, we can help! Simply request a free evaluation from us. We will visit your home or commercial property, analyse your needs and recommend the system that suits you perfectly.
Jessups Started in 1939 and has been evolving ever since. In 1984 as Jessups Retail, it was a diverse retail and electrical business even incorporating a record bar. In 2013 the focus turned to Energy Efficiency and Solar changing its name and location, branded then as Jessups Solar Squad.
Today Jessups Solar Squad still has a core business in Solar Installation reducing the power bills of its customer base in the North of the state as well as a Heating and Cooling solutions in Split System (Heat Pumps) , Floor Mounted and Ducted Systems.
As a Daikin super dealer Jessups can provide this popular brand which in a 2015/16 survey saw that 60% of Tasmanians preferred to install Daikin over ther brands, which means 6 out of 10 Tasmanian homes run Daikin for their heating and cooling.
Jessups also offer the Haier Brand in climate control. One of the largest home appliance companies in the world, Haier manufacture Refrigerators, Washing Machines, Dryers and more, including of course Reverse Cycle Split Systems.