1. The Power of Timers.
Imagine your heat pump as an eager employee, ready to work whenever you need it. By adding a timer, you’re essentially setting its work hours, ensuring it operates during optimal times. This is where your solar panels come into play.
2. The Solar Connection.
If you have solar panels on your roof, they’re busy converting sunlight into electricity during the day. By syncing your heat pump’s timer with the sunniest hours, you can ensure your water is heated primarily using solar power.
3. The Financial Benefit.
Let’s break down the numbers for a clearer picture:
Feed-in Tariff: In places like Victoria, the minimum feed-in tariff (the rate you’re paid for feeding excess electricity back into the grid) is 4.9 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
Heat Pump Consumption:
Let’s say your heat pump runs for four hours a day, using approximately 1 kWh per hour. That’s a total of 4 kWh daily.
The Cost Difference:
Instead of sending those 4 kWh back to the grid and earning around 19.6 cents (4.9 cents x 4 kWh), you’d use them to power your heat pump. Considering the general electricity rates are much higher than 4.9 cents, you’re saving more by directly utilizing the power than by selling it back.
4. Environmental Impact
Beyond the savings, using solar energy directly reduces your reliance on non-renewable energy sources. This means a lower carbon footprint and a step closer to a sustainable, eco-friendly home.
5. Taking Control
It’s all about making your systems work in harmony. By setting your heat pump timer to align with your solar panel’s peak production hours, you’re taking control of your energy consumption. You ensure you’re using the clean, green power you produce, right when you produce it.
Conclusion
Combining the efficiency of a heat pump with the power of solar panels, and then optimizing their operation with a timer, is a trifecta of energy-smart decisions. Not only will you notice the benefits on your energy bills, but you’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing you’re making the most of your green energy. It’s a win-win for both your wallet and the environment!
