Yahoo Finance Aussie dad paying $0 for electricity this Christmas: ‘Rarely have a bill’
The Aussie teacher said the savings were giving his family relief after their mortgage repayments increased by $1,000 a month.
An Aussie dad has managed to slash his electricity bill down to nothing this Christmas, despite having a full house of five kids and keeping the air-con running for most of the day.
Terry Bruton and his wife bought their four-bedroom home in Orange three years ago and decided to install solar panels at the time to help reduce their electricity costs and future-proof their home.
The Aussie teacher was previously paying at least $600 a quarter for his family and said it was among his biggest bills, along with mortgage repayments, groceries, gas and fuel.
Do you have a story to share? Contact tamika.seeto@yahooinc.com
“During Christmas and summer when it is sunny, we rarely, rarely have a bill,” Terry told Yahoo Finance.
“As I move through summer, it gets to the point where I’m not paying anything but you only get to that point if you are using solar correctly.”
This includes changing the family’s habits so they use their bigger appliances - such as the washing machine, dishwasher and dryer - during the day when the sun is out.
RELATED
Energy bill warning could save you hundreds of dollars: ‘You might miss it’
El Nino energy hacks: How to stay cool as temperatures and bills rise
Terry spent $4,400 installing the 10-kilowatt solar system at his home and was able to receive government rebates. He now estimates they have recouped about half of that cost over the past three years.
“As electricity is going up, it’s recouping faster because otherwise our electricity would have been bigger. It’s a budget killer, electricity,” Terry said.
The electricity savings are also providing the family’s budget with some relief, after their mortgage repayments skyrocketed by more than $1,000 a month thanks to the Reserve Bank’s interest rate hikes.
The family’s electricity bills do go up during the winter when there is less sun, but Terry said the solar panels offset some of these costs. For example, Terry said they received a $90 credit per month during winter, with their bill coming in around $250.
More Aussies getting solar
Solar Analytics CEO Stefan Jarnason said more Aussies were adding rooftop solar, or upgrading to a larger solar system to combat rising electricity prices.
“With the recent price rises of up to 27 per cent, the electricity bill is adding to the cost-of-living crisis, and a solar system can deliver savings from day one,” Jarnason told Yahoo Finance.
Solar Analytics has a Solar Maximiser tool where Aussies can check their financial return for solar, a battery or hot water heat pump.
Outside of switching to smart energy appliances, Jarnason recommended people:
Insulate as much as possible, including the roof and ceiling, curtains or shutters for windows, and sealing any gaps and drafts
Consider making the switch from gas hot water and heating to heat pumps or reverse cycle air-conditioners
Compare energy plans and see if you can get a cheaper deal
Follow Yahoo Finance on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter, and subscribe to our free daily newsletter.
