Tips for Solar Hot Water Systems during Winter
Most of us don’t think about our hot water system functioning… until it doesn’t. Solar hot water systems are increasingly popular but during the cooler months of the year with less sun, they usually need an electric or gas booster back-up. This can increase your electricity or gas bill so one way of helping reduce these costs is to turn the booster off and only turn it on when required. For solar systems in Hervey Bay, Queensland has an abundance of sunshine throughout most of the year so you don’t have to worry about pipes freezing. There are tips for ensuring that you maximise use of your solar hot water system such as cutting back any foliage or trees that cast shadows or block the sunlight from reaching the solar panels. Checking the panels and ensuring that they are maintained and clean is important for driving the collection of sunlight to the optimum and additionally, use the booster only on days which are cloudy or wet. It is wise to use your dishwasher and washing machine during the day while there is some sunshine rather than at night when the solar hot water system won’t be reheated until the next day. With quality insulation, sunlight will still be able to heat your water but keep in mind that diffused light or low sunlight on cloudy days will reduce the capacity for the panels to absorb sunlight and thus heat your water.
Selecting Your Solar System Hervey Bay
If you are looking for solar systems in Hervey Bay, there are factors to consider when selecting the right system for you as well as the service and installation. Deciding on the type of panels you require to suit your household usage and the roof space that you have is highly-integral. If you have limited roof space for solar systems in Hervey Bay, then choosing mono-crystalline solar panels are highly-efficient. Technological advancements made with polycrystalline panels means these can also be efficient for household use and even if you do have enough roof space for plenty of panels, you want to ensure that they are efficient panels otherwise it is a waste of money putting too many inefficient panels over your roof space. Quality solar systems in Hervey Bay are wind-certified so they can withstand storms and high winds; the mounting system of your solar panels is crucial to having a proper structure and set up for solar. To complete the set up aside from the solar panels, you need a power inverter which is connected between the panels and your household electricity so that it converts DC power to AC electricity. The type of inverter will directly impact on the efficiency of your solar system as you don’t want wastage of solar energy. Additionally, another factor to consider is the length of the manufacturer’s warranty; manufacturers of quality solar systems will offer a lengthy warranty and it is reasonable to expect that your solar system in Hervey Bay will last decades. Working out your budget is also integral when seeking a solar system; you want a realistic budget but still to obtain a quality system that will last the time. Seeking recommendations from friends, family, neighbours and colleagues is also a good way to know which company to utilise for your solar system in Hervey Bay and also Google search for reviews. Testimonials tell you a lot about a company. It is also often wise to avoid pushy salespeople and focus on the customer service of the company and representative you are liaising with. Do they appear knowledgeable and competent in the industry? Are they certified and insured? What is their timeframe for delivery and installation? These are all good questions to ask when considering a solar system company.
Cleaning Your Solar Panels
If you have a solar system in Hervey Bay and want to ensure that it is maintained, contact a professional to have them check out if the panels are clean and functioning correctly. Always remember though, safety first. If you need to climb up on your roof, be cautious and only do so in a safe and secure manner. Your handbook or manual that should have come with the solar system will have recommendations on cleaning and it is not recommended to clean during a bright, hot day; pick a cooler day or clean the panels early in the morning or in the late afternoon. Avoid using abrasive products for removing dirt because these can scratch the panels’ glass and this will impact upon their performance. If you live in a highly-polluted area, wash your panels regularly to keep them performing at their optimum. For solar systems in Hervey Bay, contact GCR Electrical Services to assist you with your energy needs.