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Family shares the advantages of solar power
2 March 2015
Families across Australia are embracing solar energy as part their at-home power mix. Keeping things green and making the most of the renewable options offered by their reatialer. The Knox family, share their story.
The Knox family is similar to many families across the world. They live in the suburbs, have two children, and are a busy working family. And, like the average Australian family, they need reliable energy in their everyday lives.
For Mr and Mrs Knox, incorporating some renewable energy into their mix was something they were keen to explore, and solar was the right fit. It's a choice which they feel enhances their lifestyle and solar gives them easy access to reliable energy to power their many appliances, heating and cooling, (and that’s only the beginning).
“We would be at the high end of electricity users; if there’s an appliance or gadget, we’ve got it,” said Mrs Knox.
We're a nation of plugs and chargers
Studies carried out in 2014 show that the number of appliances used in our homes has doubled since the year 2000,1 and the rise duel screening means we rely on our mobile devices more tham ever; so it’s not surprising that often just one tablet, laptop or TV isn‘t enough to satisfy a household.
In fact, the average home has almost 70 items that can be plugged in.2 That’s a lot of energy, which of course, has a flow on effect to a family’s energy bill.
For the Knox family, when it came time to look at ways to reduce this impact on their family budget, as well on the environment, they discovered that solar was a great option for them.
"When it came time to look at ways to reduce the impact of multiple appliences on our family budget, as well on the environment, we discovered solar was a great option for us."
Turning to solar
“We were looking at the whole solar thing for quite a while. We thought let’s just start with eight panels on the roof, and we were really pleasantly surprised about the big difference those eight panels have made to our bills.”
With over one million Australian homes with solar PV systems installed, and solar energy contributing approximately two percent of the electricity consumed in Australia, the Knox family aren’t the only ones enjoying the benefits.
Of course, the benefits go beyond just a saving on your energy bill. There are the environmental benefits to think of as well. Solar energy is a renewable energy resource, which generates no carbon emissions, reducing your greenhouse gas emissions.
Explore solar options for your home
“You are trying to give your bit back and sort of look after the planet. And I think that’s important for the kids to be aware of as well. We don’t have to radically change our life to do something, and it makes a difference” said Mrs Knox.
Watch this quick video to hear more from the Knox family and find out just how solar PV panels work.
“We were looking at the whole solar thing for quite a while. We thought let’s just start with eight panels on the roof. We were really pleasantly surprised about the big difference those eight panels have made to our bills.”
Find out about solar
Get an insight into why the Knox family have installed their solar panels.
- Origin Energy 2014, Origin Energy Essentials Report 2014, Origin Energy.
- Energy Rating 2010, Third Survey of Residential Standby Power Consumption of Australian homes 2010, Equipment Energy Efficiency.