Homeowners across the NSW New England region can double their electricity bill savings by pairing a new smart solar battery with the right electricity tariff, according to new research from Australian battery energy business Empower Energy.
The news comes as Federal Government rebates of up to $5,000 for a 14 kilowatt hour home battery are set to come into effect from July 1.
The analysis from Empower Energy shows that an average solar home across the New England region that installs its new 14 kWh solar battery but remains on their standard electricity tariff, could save around $720 a year in energy costs.
However, the average yearly savings increases to $1,844 if they switch to a to a new wholesale based electricity agreement and a smart solar battery.
Empower Energy is based in NSW and has developed the only home battery unit designed and engineered in Australia – from the software to the electronics.
Founder and CEO Ezra Beeman said the locally developed and patented product was the smartest, most versatile and durable home battery on the market in Australia.
Mr Beeman said government rebates coupled with smart battery technology and new wholesale plans, were making now the best time to invest in a home battery.
“Default electricity prices across the New England region are set to increase by around $200 a year from next month,” Mr Beeman said.
‘Home batteries and solar are the best way to bring immediate energy bill relief. But households have to be careful to choose the best tariff, the smartest battery and the right battery size to help maximise their savings.
“Our analysis shows that a typical home in New England Rivers can cut their annual electricity bill almost $1,850 with our Australian designed battery and using a wholesale based tariff.
“That’s almost double the energy bill savings compared to staying on your default tariff. It’s important that home owners choose the smartest battery and work with their provider to choose the best retail product for them.”
Around 43% of free standing and semi-attached homes in New England already have rooftop solar, or about 30,000 homes. Yet it’s estimated that less than one percent has installed a home battery.
“Our battery has been tested by technicians at both UNSW and Deakin University, with the latter verifying an estimated 15 year operating life,” Mr Beeman said.
“That means an Empower battery system could help an average household save more than $27,000 in energy costs over this period.
“And if you have an EV, it can help save even more in travelling costs if you charge at home using the EV charging optimiser.”
The 14 kilowatt hour battery is enclosed in a single aluminium unit, with an integrated solar inverter and a control and software system.
It provides backup during blackouts and has been tested to run in Australia’s high salt and heat environment.
Empower Energy Chief Technology Officer James Foster said the business had already installed about 300 batteries in homes.
“We take the long view, so households continue to save over the whole life of our home battery,” Mr Foster said.
“We scan for the best available energy plans for each customer. Our battery then learns your energy usage patterns, to help save more according to how and when a home uses its energy.”
Media Release: Empower Energy
