Southern California homeowners enjoy some of the best conditions in the country for solar energy – long sunny days, mild winters, and rising utility costs that make going solar a smart investment. They also know the pain of summer electricity bills. When the marine layer clears and temperatures soar, so can your energy bills.
The good news is that combining home solar panels with smart energy saving strategies can maximize your savings during the hot summer months.
Why Home Solar Panels Are Key to Lowering Summer Bills
Trying to keep your house cool during the summer can be expensive. Your HVAC system uses more energy than any other single appliance or system. It could make up between 40% to 50% of your electrical bill depending on your usage.
Your air conditioner works hardest during peak afternoon hours when the sun shines brightest. That makes solar power and your summer cooling demand a perfect match. Your home solar panels generate maximum electricity when you need it most, offsetting your energy usage and lowering your electricity bill.
Top Home Cooling Strategies to Pair with Solar
Even if you already have home solar panels, using energy efficiently is key to keeping costs down.
1. Regularly Check Your Solar Monitoring App
Regularly check your solar monitoring app – at least twice a month – to understand how much energy you’re producing and using. This insight can help you adjust your daily habits for smarter energy use. Plus, staying on top of any alerts or notifications ensures you catch any connection issues early, keeping your system running at peak efficiency.
2. Install a Smart Thermostat and Regularly Maintain Your HVAC System
Smart thermostats learn your schedule and adjust temperatures automatically. Program yours for 73°F-78°F when home and 85°F when away. Each degree that you set it higher saves you about 1-3% on cooling costs.
Regular HVAC maintenance keeps your system running efficiently, reducing the amount of energy needed to cool your home. Check and replace filters regularly. Schedule annual tune-ups to clean coils and check refrigerant levels.
3. Time Your Energy Use Around Peak Hours
Homeowners who get their power from Southern California Edison may have time-of-use (TOU) pricing, meaning electricity is more expensive in the late afternoon and evening. If you can, plan out your tasks accordingly and use your high energy items before or after Peak Hours. Shifting your usage can lead to significant savings.
Also, pay attention to “plug loads,” the energy used by any device that’s plugged into a wall outlet. Unplug and store smaller items if they aren’t currently in use. Take an inventory of all of the electronics in your home and connect any necessary items into a powerstrip. Having everything plugged into a powerstrip will make it easier to manage or turn off when not in use.
4. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances and LED Lighting
Boost your energy efficiency by upgrading to energy-saving appliances and switching to LED bulbs. Use an air fryer instead of your stove for quicker, more efficient cooking, and opt for rechargeable items like cordless vacuums and lamps.
Increase the efficiency of large appliances by doing a deep clean at least once a year. When the vent at the back of the refrigerator or your dryer exhaust gets clogged with dust, the motors work harder, requiring more energy.
5. Add a Home Battery Backup System
For even greater savings and energy independence, consider adding a battery to your home solar system. A battery system allows you to store solar power and use it when it’s needed most, making your home more resilient. This stored power can be used to offset high peak energy usage from the grid or to provide energy during power outages.
In Southern California, this is especially valuable. High summer electricity demand, extreme heat and increased wildfire risk can lead to rolling blackouts, making energy reliability even more important.
Combining solar power and efficient energy use can eliminate summer energy bill stress for Southern California homeowners. Just because you have solar doesn’t mean your savings have maxed out. With a few simple adjustments, you can cut costs, decrease your reliance on the grid, and stay comfortable all summer long.
If you’re ready to take the next step like adding a battery or getting help proactively monitoring your system, Xero Solar can find the right solution for your home. Reach out to us to schedule a consultation.
