Owning your own home has long been the great Australian dream: a picket fence and a roof over your head, where your hard-earned money stays in your pocket.

Rather than renting and paying off someone else’s mortgage, home ownership gives you greater control, security and can be an asset to your name. The same can apply to electricity use.

Paying for electricity is essentially like paying rent, but rather than renting a house, you’re renting electricity. Your energy provider controls what you pay and when, and you’re at their will in the event of a blackout.

Solar systems and battery storage, however, can offer energy independence from the big providers and help to protect you against rising energy costs. Also, by installing a battery, excess solar energy can be stored and used when the sun isn’t shining or if there’s a blackout.

Many Aussies are already on board with the idea. An International Energy Agency report in 2020 revealed Australia has the highest per capita uptake of solar in the world, with South Australians leading the nation in battery storage.

What about the costs?

While there are set up costs, this initial outlay can be looked at as an investment, according to RAA Product and Pricing Manager for RAA Solar, Dennis Taarnby.

“Solar can be very affordable when taking up a payment plan”, Dennis says.

“This affordability, coupled with a return-on-investment period of about three for solar, and five to seven years for solar and battery storage, ensures you have a great investment and you’re in control of your electricity generation, storage and consumption.”

RAA is now partnering with green finance provider Plenti to offer new long-term finance options for its solar and battery systems, and home electric vehicle (EV) chargers.

This means RAA is now able to offer members a home energy system with no up-front deposit, and the option to pay off their system in lower monthly instalments in three to 10 years.

For those who can’t afford or don’t want to invest in battery storage, the right-sized solar only system can still reduce your energy bills by 50-60 per cent or more. With a battery, those savings increase to more than 80 per cent and in some cases more than 100 per cent.

RAA members also receive a 10 per cent discount on the recommended retail price for their system, so there’s no better time than right now to invest and take control of those expensive electricity bills.

“It means you’re not having to rely on someone else and pay them for the privilege”, Dennis says.

Even in winter, Dennis says people looking to invest in solar panels shouldn’t be put off.

“With the right-sized system, optional battery storage – and considering Adelaide has fewer than 90 overcast days a year – electricity will still be generated in winter, giving you savings all year round.”

Dennis urged people to research the benefits of installing solar and battery storage systems.

“Every time you use or store the sun’s energy, that’s less energy you’ll have to pay for,” he says.

The post How solar and battery storage gives you energy control appeared first on samove.com.au.

South Australians looking to combat skyrocketing energy bills are making the switch to solar. We’ve debunked a few common myths to help power your decision to go green.

In 2022-23, RAA saw a 75 per cent increase in home solar sales, with more than 14,000 solar panels installed – up from 8000 the previous year.

The increase in South Australians turning to solar and battery comes as the Australian Energy Regulator announced an electricity price hike of up to 23.9 per cent for the current financial year.

But why make the switch to solar? We debunk a few common myths.

Myth 1: Low electricity consumption means you only need to install a small system.

Not necessarily. While oversizing your solar system for more than you need means you may not save as much today, it’s important to plan for the future.

With the number of electric vehicle (EV) sales on the rise, consideration of how you power your future EV is a consideration. For example, an EV will result in about 6kWh energy usage per day, based on an average distance of 11,500km travelled yearly. This means you should be looking at approximately 2kW more solar to meet EV requirements alone.

Homes of the future will also likely be electrified, meaning you may have heat pump hot water heating and an electric stove, which will also draw energy from your solar system.

Myth 2: Solar panels don’t work in cloudy or cold weather.

Solar panels can even generate electricity when there is only diffused light available, like that caused by clouds. That means they’ll still generate energy in the middle of winter – as long as your panels aren’t covered by snow (shouldn’t be a problem in our climate).

That said, they won’t generate as much energy as they do on bright sunny days. Typically, the energy produced during winter compared to summer can be less than 50 per cent.

Rain, hail or shine – don’t be fooled: solar panels generate power in different types of weather.

Myth 3: A cheaper system may pay itself off quicker.

A smaller system won’t produce as much energy as a larger one, meaning your electricity bills won’t be reduced by as much and, therefore, it’ll take longer to recoup the money already spent.

Some companies promote cheap systems, which may not be enough for your power needs, and you could still end up with big power bills.

Myth 4: You can’t run on solar power at night.

As mentioned, solar panels can only generate energy when there’s some form of sunlight – direct or diffused.

Most systems produce enough energy during the day to cover your needs, plus some excess to feed in the electricity grid. This will provide a credit from your electrical retailer. This is called a feed-in tariff, which will help you reduce your energy costs during times when there’s no sunlight, like overnight.

In some cases, it may be more economical to store this excess energy in a battery for later use rather than feed it all into the grid.

Myth 5: I don’t use power during the day so solar isn’t worth it for me

While it’s true that households with high daytime consumption make the most of their panels, it doesn’t mean solar isn’t for you if you’re out most of the day.

You can still utilise your solar panels by simply reducing how much energy you use at night.

For example, using your washing machine or dishwasher on a timer during the day can make use of the energy captured by your solar panels.

Or charging battery-powered devices, such as laptops, when you’re at work.

Another option to make of the most of your solar system is install a battery, that will store energy during the day and be ready to use when you get home.

Myth 6: Installing solar panels will damage my roof

Solar panels shouldn’t cause damage to your roof if they’re installed correctly on mounting brackets.

These brackets are designed to bear the weight of the panel, so they don’t cause damage to your roof.

In fact, our accredited installers should be able to identify if there is any existing damage to the roof, such as a cracked tile, that might impact the installation.

The post Solar energy myths busted appeared first on samove.com.au.

Don’t know the difference between a PHEV and EV?

Wondering what ICE has to do with your car running?

Trying to work out why your car needs a SOC and if this has something to do with keeping its feet – we mean tyres – warm?

We break down the jargon in this electric vehicle glossary to make the electrified future easier to navigate.

Love them or hate them, electric vehicles (EVs) are here to stay. With super quiet motors and quick acceleration speeds, it’s no surprise these cars of the future have crept onto our roads and started driving towards the horizon of a low-emission, electrified future faster than we can yell “$2 per litre”.

Reports suggest that EV sales will account for a little under 50 per cent of all new-car sales globally by 2030. Fourteen countries are leading the way, phasing out internal combustion engines (ICE) within the next decade. Manufacturers are following suit with targets of becoming fully electric by a similar timeline.

While Australia may be lagging behind the convoy, there’s no doubt on a state level, we’re going to see more and more EVs taking to the blacktop as an EV network starts to roll out across South Australia. It’s safe to say that EV ownership will become more accessible, forcing petrol and diesel-fuelled engines toward the fate of the horse and cart.

With that in mind, we need to get comfortable with the quiet motors, the plugged-in replacements of refuelling, and the abundance of acronyms that come with this new way of getting around. Want to know what it’s like driving an EV? Watch it here. RAA Future Mobility Specialist Simon Halford helps us break down the acronyms and jargon to help make the future of the unknown, a little more known.

BEV – Battery electric vehicle

A BEV is a vehicle that’s 100 per cent driven by an electric motor(s) and stores power in a large rechargeable high voltage battery (RESS). It doesn’t use an internal combustion engine (ICE). A BEV can also regenerate electricity under braking and while coasting down hills to extend its overall driving range.

EV – Electric vehicle

Meaning electric vehicle, this commonly used acronym has become an umbrella term to classify several vehicle types. The simplest definition is that an EV is a vehicle that uses some form of electrification of its driveline to improve efficiency, increase fuel economy and decrease or eliminate tailpipe emissions.

FCEV – Fuel cell electric vehicle

Similar to battery electric vehicles (BEV), a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) uses an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine (ICE) to power the wheels. However, while BEVs run on batteries that must be plugged into recharge, FCEVs generate their own electricity. Hydrogen gas, stored in the vehicle’s tanks, combines with oxygen to generate electricity within a fuel cell. The generated electricity is used to drive the electric motor, with the only emissions being water and heat, which are by-products of the process.

FHEV – Full hybrid

Full hybrid vehicles have been around since the first Toyota Prius was released in Australia in 2001. In its true sense, a FHEV still has an internal combustion engine (ICE), however, it also has an electric motor or generator and a high-voltage battery (RESS). The vehicle can start the ICE while in gear and run on the ICE or electric motor(s) independently. It charges the high voltage battery by using the combustion engine and is also able to regenerate electricity back to the RESS when the vehicle is braking or coasting downhill. Although a FHEV can drive on the electric motor alone, it’s usually only for short distances at city commute speeds.

ICE – Internal combustion engine

This is the descriptor for a traditional combustion engine that uses a consumable fuel source such as petrol, diesel, or LPG.

kWh – Kilowatt hours

This is the unit of measure for an EV’s battery size. Essentially, the higher the kWh, the more electricity the battery can store.

kW – Kilowatt

Kilowatt (kW) is the unit used to measure the power of an electric motor. If you’re looking for a powerful car that’ll accelerate quickly, then you want a vehicle with a higher kW rating.

MHEV – Mild hybrid

Another relatively new term on the scene, these vehicles, also referred to as partial hybrids, use conventional combustion engines, which are assisted by an electric motor or generation to help reduce emissions and improve fuel economy. In most cases, a MHEV will use a low-voltage battery (RESS) of up to 48 volts. Although the car is always being propelled by the combustion engine, improvements are made to efficiency by removing as much load off the engine as possible. This is done with the use of electric turbochargers, electric steering, electric water pumps, electric air conditioning compressors and stop-start technology. The vehicle can also regenerate power back into its RESS when braking or coasting downhill.

PHEV – Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle

A plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) is the same as a full hybrid (FHEV) however the high-voltage battery (RESS) can be charged from either the internal combustion engine (ICE) or by plugging the car into an external power supply. They usually have a bigger high-voltage battery and can drive much further on electric power alone before the ICE kicks in.

Regenerative braking

An electric car can use its motor to slow down, even when you put your foot on the brake. When this occurs, the motor feeds energy back into the car’s battery, which is called regenerative braking. This is a point of difference when driving an electric vehicle (EV). Take your foot off the accelerator in an EV and you’ll notice the car slows its pace more aggressively than a combustion engine vehicle.

RESS – Rechargeable energy storage system

A term that’s relatively new to motoring vernacular, rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) is used to describe an electric vehicle’s main power supply battery. A RESS can be either high or low voltage. To be considered high voltage, the RESS must have over 50 Volts AC or 120 volts DC.

SOC – State of charge

You’re reading your new car’s handbook, which keeps referring to the SOC. This is where you find how much charge there is left in your car’s battery. Most cars will also tell you how far this will get you.

The post EV glossary appeared first on samove.com.au.

With the keys to the new Kia Niro EV, I wanted to find out if everyone had the same first-time EV experience as I had five years ago. Of course, we put the Niro EV to the test.

The first time I drove an electric vehicle (EV) was in 2017. Fuel prices sat on an average of $1.25 per litre, autonomous vehicle technology was still relatively new to the market, Brexit was a maybe-exit, and Donald Trump was elected as a surreal reality.

When I was handed the keys to the BMW i3, an EV-soaked future was only a distant concept. At the time, EVs were just making their way into the conversations of motoring circles, and manufacturers were racing to present a stylish, range-efficient solution to increasing fuel prices.

Even still, most EVs available in Australia priced many buyers out of the market. Add the then non-existent EV infrastructure and low-range availability, and it’s clear why.

The reality check

During my week with the i3, I was never organised enough to get it to full charge. It was my first reality check. Not only did I need to plan travel around recharging, but it also required more time than a quick trip to the local petrol station.

It was also faster than I anticipated. I thought that was just a Tesla perk but turns out EVs accelerate quicker than your average car, and the i3 clocked  100km/h in just 7.2 seconds.

While I knew the car would be quiet, it wasn’t until I drove along a Melbourne backstreet, silently trailing a person who was walking in the middle of the road with no idea a car was creeping up behind her, that I realised just what ‘silent motor’ meant.

Five years on, it’s a different story. There are more EVs on the roads in Australia, and motorists are more knowledgeable about the future of cars than I was in 2017. The concepts are now a reality, sound technology provides engine-like noises, and infrastructure is improving across South Australia.

When I was handed the keys to the new, pure-electric Kia Niro GT-Line, I wanted to know just how different the first-time experience was for those who hadn’t driven an EV before. Sharing the Niro-love with some RAA colleagues, I handed them the keys to get their thoughts.

Watch this video to see how the first time behind the wheel of an EV turned out for our test drivers.

What do you think it’s going to be like driving an EV?

Andrew Rasch, research and development manager: I know they are quieter but what about road noise at higher speeds? I assume the acceleration will be a lot quicker than an ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle.

Steve Parker, senior manager: I’m expecting it to be a quiet and smooth drive. I’m anticipating a reduction in acceleration power from stationary compared to the cars I’m used to driving. Also, given my own car predates Bluetooth and reversing cameras, I’m expecting a bank of unfamiliar technology and automation.

Lorin Diment, product coordinator: I know EVs are faster on take-off, and less laggy than a petrol vehicle, so I’m interested to see how it feels.

John Pedler, content coordinator: With no combustion engine, I figure the EV will be quiet to drive. With no transmission, I expect acceleration and deceleration to be very smooth.

What are you looking forward to?

Andrew: I want to experience how it’ll handle on the road. Will the extra weight affect the dynamics? We’ll have to wait and see, I guess.

Steve: I have a bit of a knowledge gap around EVs. I’m hoping this drive will take away some of the trepidation that might otherwise be a barrier to me owning one in future. I’d be apprehensive about knowing where to charge the car, and how far a charge might take me.

John: I’m interested to see how much power the EV has and how responsive it is. I’m also keen to see if the interior layout is different to a regular ICE car.

What were your first impressions?

Andrew: I became accustomed to the Niro quickly, and after a while, it felt no different from any other car.

Steve: It took me a while to work out how to start it! The combination of a power button, depressing the brake pedal and using the console dial to select a gear was a bit alien to me, and the correct sequence of actions took some practice to master. The engine was really quiet, so I didn’t get the familiar rumble to let me know that the car was ready to take off.

Lorin: It was a very comfortable, smooth drive. I think I did miss the sound of the engine noise, but I was very surprised at how quiet it was – I expected more  road noise.

John: It’s certainly quiet, and the soundproofing even keeps the road noise to a minimum. The handling was excellent and there was plenty of power and acceleration. As expected, there was no gear-change jerk. Unlike an ICE car, the EV quickly decelerates when you lift your foot from the accelerator pedal.

What did you like or dislike while you were driving?

Andrew: I appreciated the battery symbol on the dash and kilometre range. It was like a phone.

Steve: The technology was impressive, and my appreciation for it deepened the more I drove the car. I was happy to see the percentage charge clearly displayed on the dash (and the kilometre equivalent) as well as directions to the nearest EV charging station on the map display.

Lorin: I really liked the heads-up display with the speed limit. I also enjoyed how easy it was to keep track of the kilometres left before the vehicle needed to be recharged. Having the regenerative braking is a fantastic way to keep the vehicle efficient for everyday driving.

John: The heads-up display showing the current speed limit and the car’s speed (and approaching traffic lights) means there’s no need to look away from the road when checking your speed.

Overall, what do you think about your first experience driving an EV?

Andrew: Driving an EV has now been ticked off my to-do list. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and it was interesting to notice myself checking petrol prices and then having to remind myself they’re irrelevant for EV drivers.

Steve: I found the drive comfortable, enjoyable and – perhaps most surprisingly of all – not too dissimilar to a modern petrol car. Aside from the lack of engine noise and fuel gauge, driving was a reassuringly familiar experience. I was more engaged with the impressive technology of on-board displays, and alerts than by the fact it was an EV.

Lorin: Overall, driving an EV was a smooth, comfortable, quiet ride. I look forward to seeing improvements in the technology and seeing these types of vehicles become the main type of car on the road.

John: The Niro is quiet and easy to drive and has ample power and acceleration. The basic controls like steering, braking and rolling down the window are the same as an ICE car, so no new skills to learn.

The post Find out what it’s like to drive an EV appeared first on samove.com.au.

Do you remember the first time you pulled up to a fuel station to refuel your car unsupervised? Did you have fuel-pump-anxiety?

As EVs grow in popularity on Aussie roads, we figured there are probably a few new EV owners experiencing this all over again – only this time, with an EV charger rather than a fuel pump.

Check out our video below to see how to charge an EV using two types of chargers.

Let’s take a closer look at the two types of chargers we used.

Like appliances in your home get their power from electricity, an EV works by using electricity to charge a battery which then supplies electrical energy to the car’s motor.

An AC charger, which uses power from the grid, supplies electricity to an on-board charger, or a converter, which converts the supply to DC power and feeds it into the battery.

This is usually the process for home charging devices. A level 1 charger is the slowest way to charge your car, using a wall socket at home. A plug-in wall box, which can be installed in the home, or some public AC chargers are considered level 2 and will offer three times the charging speed in some cases.

The speed at which your car will charge will vary based on the model you own, but these are able to charge normally up to 22kWh. In other words, in 10 minutes these charges give about 7km to 11km range.

Most AC chargers will require you to bring your own portable charger.

DC charging, on the other hand, is much faster. EV batteries can only store DC power, so this type of charger has a converter built into it allowing it to deliver power directly to the battery much faster than AC chargers can. This is a level 3. These chargers are usually found in public spaces, and cars can get about 50km to 350km range of charging in approximately 10 minutes. However, this depends on the capacity of the charger, which vary.

DC chargers come equipped with a cable that plugs into your car.

To find a charging station you can use the Chargefox app, which also allows you to pay for your charge with your phone or tablet.

The post How to charge an electric vehicle appeared first on samove.com.au.

‘Bills, Bills, Bills’. Destiny’s Child sang about them. ‘Money, Money, Money’. ABBA told you how to pay them. Now here’s how you can minimise the bills and save money.

With the cost of living rising significantly in recent months, there’s never been a better time to look at ways to save money. Interest rates are on the up, as are petrol prices and groceries. And with winter well and truly upon us, it’s also typically the season where electricity bills spike as people hibernate with the heater cranked.

To help keep your hard-earned dollars in your pocket, here are some ways you can bring your energy usage down.

Rug up

Do your grandparents tell you that socks will save you from catching a cold? What they’re trying to tell you is it’s important to rug up. Seems simple enough but before you turn the heater up, check if you’re dressed warm enough. Switching on the heater is one way to warm up, but layering clothing can be an easy (and cost effective) solution. Our tip? Put on a jumper or jacket, socks and cosy up under a blanket.

If you’re using the heater and don’t have a system that allows you to heat individual rooms, make sure you close any windows and doors, so the heat stays put and doesn’t have to work as hard to warm up rooms that aren’t being used. Natural light will also help heat a room (for free), so leave the blinds open. Just make sure your heater is serviced regularly so it’s working efficiently to keep running costs down.

Turn off the lights

Leaving a room? Switch off the light otherwise it can continue to chew through electricity. Likewise, when you’re done using an appliance – like the kettle – switch it off at the power point. Why? Appliances use electricity even when in standby mode, so get in the habit of turning them off to shave dollars off your bill.

While you’re at it, install LED lights which use 75% less energy than halogen lightbulbs, making them super-efficient.

Wash your clothes in cold water

A washing machine can be a big energy guzzler, so help ease the sting by setting the temperature to cold the next time you put a load on. By doing this, it means you won’t have to use as much electricity to heat the water.

Cold water can actually be better for your clothes, reducing the chance of garments shrinking and maintaining colour brightness.

It’s also better to wash a full load rather than lots of smaller ones so you’re not constantly using the washing machine. When it comes to drying your clothes, if you can, the most energy efficient way is simply to hang them outside on a clothesline rather than using a dryer.

Shop around

Don’t just take your friend’s neighbour’s mum’s word for it. Just because they’ve been a customer of an energy provider for 10 years, doesn’t mean it’s the best option for you. Save your pennies by shopping around to find the best deals from electricity retailers.  Do your search before signing on the dotted line – head to Energy Made Easy, which is an Australian Government website that compares different plans and retailers.

Invest in solar

Installing solar panels is one of the best ways to help reduce or eliminate electricity bills by gaining independence from the big energy providers. They can also help protect you against rising electricity costs and give you greater freedom on when, and how, you use your electricity. The addition of a battery means excess solar can be stored away for when the sun isn’t shining, or in the event of a blackout.

The post How to save on winter bills appeared first on samove.com.au.

Sunny days might be few and far between in winter, but the forecast isn’t as gloomy as you think, especially when it comes to getting the most out of your solar panels.

Contrary to popular belief, solar panels still generate electricity on cloudy and rainy days. As long as they’re not covered by snow – which shouldn’t be a problem in our climate – gloomy skies still diffuse light, which generates energy.

However, solar panels won’t deliver as much energy as they do on bright, sunny days. In fact, the energy produced during winter can be two-thirds less than what’s created in summer. For example, a solar system may produce 12kWh per day on average in July compared to an average of 36kWh per day in January.

A sure-fire way to know exactly how your panels are performing – no matter the season – is to opt in for energy monitoring. Members who’ve bought an RAA solar or battery system have this included in their package.

While energy saving is slightly slower during colder months, there’s an upside to frostier temperatures. Unless here’s a torrential downpour which might damage solar panels, rain is a great self-cleaning solution.

Just beware that if you have a lot of bird droppings on your panels, rain might not wash it off easily. In this instance, it won’t hurt to have your solar system checked, cleaned and maintained every few years by a professional.

The post How effective are solar panels in winter? appeared first on samove.com.au.

Petrol prices are skyrocketing, and it doesn’t look like they’ll head south anytime soon, but there’s an alternative. With RAA announcing it’ll be building a state-wide EV charging network, an electric vehicle might be the answer.

RAA is set to build more than 500 electric vehicle (EV) charging points at about 140 charging sites across the state, but what does that mean for South Australian motorists? There are currently about 283 electric vehicle charging points in SA, leaving some EV drivers with range anxiety, particularly if they’re in rural areas.

However, South Australia’s Electric Vehicle Charging Network, built with funding from RAA and the SA Government, will span the state.

From Renmark to Adelaide and Ceduna to Mount Gambier, EV drivers will have peace of mind wherever they’re driving in South Australia.

With research revealing that 80% of RAA members would consider buying an EV we’ve looked to answer the burning question: how much does it cost to recharge an EV compared to filling up the petrol tank?

It’s important to note that petrol was more than $2 per litre when these prices were calculated. And, of course, you could charge your vehicle at home, which is particularly convenient if you have solar panels and a battery.

However, if you’re on the road, you’ll need to find a place to recharge your EV.

While petrol vehicles have a better range, they’re far more expensive to refill. For example, the Hyundai Kona EV costs just $13.72 to recharge, while its petrol-powered cousin costs more than $100 to refill from empty.

However, if you’re driving the EV, you’d need to stop every 300km to recharge, whereas in the petrol Kona, you can drive for about 700km before refuelling.

At a range of just 170km, the 30kW Nissan Leaf is more for city driving than hitting the open road, with regional centres like Murray Bridge and Wallaroo only just within reach from Adelaide on a full charge. The updated models of the Nissan Leaf (40kW) and Leaf E+ (62kW) offer a claimed 270km and 385km range respectively.

Of the EVs, the Tesla Model X has the greatest range, giving drivers 500km of open road. You could easily drive to Robe or Whyalla from Adelaide on a single charge.

You’re probably thinking, “sure it’s cheaper to run an EV, but what about the initial cost of the car?” Unfortunately, a Hyundai Kona EV is about $55,000, while the petrol version is roughly $27,000.

Refuelling and recharging costs

Data was updated at time of publishing. The cost of petrol at the time of calculation was $2.19/L. *Data refers to the previously released Nissan Leaf 30kW.

Meanwhile, a Tesla Model X will set you back about $180,000. While electric vehicles are probably out of reach for many motorists, RAA Future Mobility Expert Mark Borlace predicts they’ll become more affordable and accessible in the next five or six years.

“The point of parity – that’s when EVs and internal combustion engine vehicles are about the same price – is being predicted in Europe in 2024 for smaller vehicles like your VW Golf and Toyota Corollas,” Mr Borlace says.

“Australia is usually a couple of years behind that, so we could see much cheaper EVs in 2026 or 2027.”

The State Government is also playing its part, offering incentives for people considering buying a new EV.

This includes a $3000 subsidy for motorists who purchase a new EV in SA and a three-year registration fee exemption.

With this in mind, RAA’s EV charging network will be constructed over the next couple of years, with the longest drive between charges being just 250km.

Two-thirds of the charging stations will be located in country South Australia, with chargers available in major regional centres and along main routes.

The post Refuel versus recharge appeared first on samove.com.au.