Taking the Plunge: What to Do When You Decide to Go Solar

The cost of electricity has risen dramatically over the years and it looks like it will continue to do so. Many people have switched to sustainable living, i.e. solar power as a means to reduce their power bills, while doing their bit to preserve the environment.
If you’ve decided to go solar, there are a few things you need to know and do before you take that final plunge. Below you will find a list of points to get you started; for more information www.australiansolarquotes.com.au has free and helpful resources.

Know the basics

As you’ve decided to go solar, the first thing you need to know is that electricity is measured in watts (W). 1000 W equals 1 kilowatt (kW). Now onto the other stuff!

In an average home, cooling and heating use the most energy. With this in mind, decide just how much energy you want to generate from solar. If you rely on it for appliances and lighting, but not for cooling and heating, 50 per cent will be adequate. To come up with a kilowatt-hour figure, look at your bills from the last year and calculate the average kW usage. Divide this number by two.


There are three different types of solar systems in Australia.
Grid connect: The panels will cover your energy requirements before feeding excess power back to the grid. At night, your power will come from the mains.
Stand-alone: The panels will feed power to a bank of batteries and an inverter will convert it into useable energy for your home.
Hybrid grid: Excess power will be stored in a battery bank for future use. When the batteries are fully recharged, surplus power is sent back into the grid.

Decide where to place your solar panels

There are many factors that affect how much energy will be produced. Temperature, how directly the sun hits the panels and whether or not there’s shade will all determine how many actual watts are produced. Perhaps consider installing an extra panel to compensate for energy loss.

Find out how long it will take to recover the cost

How much it costs firstly depends on the size of the system. Next, it depends on the quality of the individual components (the inverter, the frames, the batteries). Cost of labour depends on the installer. Most households will install a 5kW system, which is roughly under $11,000. An approximate saving of $1500 a year, means the costs should be paid off in about seven years.

Consider ongoing costs

While solar panels don’t require too much maintenance, they still need to be cleaned now and then to remove grime and ensure they’re performing at their best. A mechanical maintenance check will need to be carried out from as little as two years to as long as seven years after installation. These need to be conducted by a Clean Energy Council (CEC) installer.

Do you feel more informed? Will you or have you recently taken the plunge? Share your thoughts by commenting below.

Growing Avocado Tree

Ever wonder how to grow your own avocado tree? Here's a step by step tutorial that I would like to share with you guys. I'll try this one too, and see if it really works. Let's find out!

How to Host the Perfect Outdoor Dinner Party

With the right weather conditions, an outdoor dinner party can be a special and very enjoyable experience. Far from being a picnic, barbeque or impromptu meal around a campfire, an outdoor dinner party can also be extremely stylish, and elegant.
When you are the host of an outdoor dinner party, it’s important to focus on a number of critical details that will help to ensure the success of your event.

Choose an appropriate time

While you may want your dinner party to take place at night time, remember that early evening is usually the very best time of day for an outdoor dinner party. In the early evening, the sun is still bright enough but is nowhere near as hot and bright as it is during the day. Early evening also offers the benefit of the night air not being too cold.

Find the ideal spot

Think carefully about where your outdoor dinner party should take place. If you need or would like a built structure, such as a patio or pergola, Additions Building has some great ideas on how to do it. However, when planning your outdoor party, be aware that setting up the dining table beneath a beautiful tree may not be so wise. If the tree drops leaves, nuts or fruit or if its blossoms overpower the food, the effect is lost and guests may feel quite uncomfortable.
A patio, deck or even an open yard is usually a much better option for an outdoor dinner party.

Light the setting beautifully

When hosting an outdoor dinner party, it is not necessary to rely on outdoor lighting, which is typically harsh and very bright. Instead, the use of hanging tea lights, lanterns and votive candles can create a beautifully soft, and subtle lighting scheme and a wonderful atmosphere. Be sure to light candles in advance of the sun setting and enjoy the soft, natural, and elegant effect.

Simple decorations work well

Very often, only simple decorations are needed for an outdoor dinner party. With the backdrop of a lawn that is well manicured and some lovely trees and plants, there is often no great need for elaborate or complicated decorations.
The dining table can be enhanced with simple leaves, petals and small arrangements of cut flowers can work very well as centrepieces.

An outdoor bar

Make things easy for your guests and ensure that an outdoor bar is available. The bar should be well stocked with refreshments, and if the weather is particularly hot, drinks made using fruits including, apples, peaches, passionfruit, watermelon, and lemons can be perfect for an outdoor dinner party.
When deciding on the drinks that you will offer, remember to provide a range of non-alcoholic beverage options, including virgin versions of any cocktails that may be served to guests.

Preparation

Above all else, the key to a great outdoor dinner party is preparation. Even more than in an indoor situation, you need to have back-up plans in place for what you will do if something goes wrong or the weather is bad.
Outdoor dinner parties can be very atmospheric and enjoyable. When you invest thought, care and close attention to detail, your outdoor dinner party is all the more likely to be a resounding success.

Angels

 Great addition to my angel collection. Hey, they're only $1.00 each! I got them at the Dollar Tree Store.