A solar power system is made up of the following components:

1. Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels

These are the most expensive part of the system and will typically make up 60% of the cost of the system. They simply absorb sunlight, and spit out electricity. However that electricity is in a form that is not very useful to us – Low Voltage, Direct Current Electricity. To make it compatible with our appliances it travels via chunky, high current, cables to what’s known as an Inverter.

2. DC to AC Inverters

This is a box that takes the ‘raw’ electricity from the PV panels and boosts its voltage to 240V AC so that it will power all our appliances and gadgets. This is the next most expensive bit of the kit and can come with some optional features such as Power Monitoring, Remote Power Monitoring, PC interfacing and Expandability.

a)   Power Monitoring: Is a little display on the inverter that will tell you how much power you are generating at any one time.

     b) Remote Power Monitoring: A remote monitoring system is a separate display that wirelessly receives monitoring signals from the inverter. This means you can sit in your favourite chair and monitor your power production. The remote display will even have some logging functions so you can look at power use over time, and see how the weather etc. affects the performance.

     c) PC Interface: Some meters can interface to your PC and the Web so you can view your system status from anywhere and do all sorts of graphing and analysis of your power generation.

     d) Expandability: If you think you may want to expand your system at a later stage, you should consider an inverter that is expandable. That means that you just plug an expansion pack into the inverter, and then add extra PV panels instead of having to buy and install a whole, new extra inverter.

3. Wiring from your inverter to your main fuse box plus a disconnect switch.

You need to get your new electricity into the house and the grid. Although the materials to do this are not so expensive, the labour can be. That is because the lengths may be quite long, and you’ll want to conceal the wires for safety and aesthetic reasons.

The disconnect switch is needed in case you need to isolate the solar PV panels for maintenance or if something goes wrong with them. This switch will simply stop the solar system from feeding power to your inverter and the grid should there ever be a problem.

A word of caution here; there is a specific shutdown procedure that should be followed when disconnecting your solar PV panels and or inverter – follow instructions or better still, get a qualified installer to conduct any maintenance work. All the voltages in a Solar PV system can potentially be lethal!

4. The main fuse box connection

Unless you have an old or particularly small fuse box, you shouldn’t need a new one, but your new system will be wired into your existing fuse box, so that it can feed into the grid and or house wiring and or meter.

5. Your new electricity meter.

You will need a new electricity meter to cope with importing and exporting electricity to the grid. Your electric utility company will install this for you. Be aware: The utility may use this as an excuse to put you on a ‘time of use’ electricity tariff. This means that you may pay different amounts for electricity depending on when you use it.

The good news is that if you use your appliances intelligently this can actually reduce your bills further. But you need to know what you are signing up for. Be sure to have a good chat with your utility company about this.

Experience the Destination Living difference today by contacting Peter Hall on 1300 637 837.

A roof with eaves is a cheap and effective way to help keep your home cool in summer. The eaves help shade walls and windows from the high angle summer sun.
 
Eaves work particularly well on the north side, providing effective summer shading and

letting in winter sun, without you having to do a thing. This happens because winter sun is at a lower angle than the summer sun and comes in under the eaves.
 
Eaves can also help with waterproofing and can stop paint from cracking and fading in the sun. If you choose a style without eaves, just be aware that you’ll want to include additions like adjustable window shutters to keep your home comfortable.
 
Glass is the ‘path of least resistance’ for losing or letting in heat, so don’t go overboard on it. If you do, your home may feel like a sauna in summer and an igloo in winter. The way the sun moves across the sky means that some places are better for glass than others.
 
Glass facing north is ideal because you get lots of winter sun and all you need are eaves to shade it in summer. Glass facing east or west can overheat in summer and needs adjustable shading like shutters or louvres. Deep shade pergolas can also work well in some cases.
 
Glass facing south doesn’t get much sun and could make your home feel cold in winter.

If you live in a cooler climate like Melbourne, consider double glazing to keep your home more comfortable. Curtains with pelmets will also help to keep warmth in.
 
Windows that can open up wide make it easy to capture cooling breezes in summer.

Fly screens, security grilles and windows that lock when partly open allow you to let breezes in whenever you need to.
 
Although you don’t see it, you’ll feel the impact of good insulation every day. Your home will be quieter and more comfortable plus you’ll save money on energy bills. The right level of insulation for your home depends on your climate but generally the more the better.
 
Make sure you have reflective insulation (like shiny foil sarking that goes under the roof) as well as bulk insulation like batts. The higher the ‘R value’ the better the insulation. Make sure you also have good draft proofing, including weather seals on windows and external doors.
 
Experience the Destination Living difference today by contacting Peter Hall on 1300 637 837.
 
PS. For a great tool that enables you to know your building costs before you start visit our website and click on ‘Rapid Building Calculator’.

1. Harmonious Sanctuary

The master Ensuite in particular has become a retreat, a space in which to relax. Bigger rooms, spaces that flow, minimal contrasts, lots of natural light

2. Decorative Luxe

Ornate mirrors, chandeliers, patterned wallpaper, gold or silver trim, patterned tiles. This trend suits especially suits Powder rooms, where it is less of a wet area & you can have a bit a fun with it

3. Modular

This is a modern European look. Think slick, straight or slightly curved lines & gloss finish on vanities. The vanity dominates with strong colour & contrasts against the tile colour. It especially suits small apartment spaces
 

4. The free standing bath.

You can create a statement & focal point with a free standing bath. It won’t work unless the space is big enough to support it.
 

5. Large, airy showers:

Larger showers that accommodate 2, often with 2 sets of taps or a hand rail with feature shower head.The look is clean & minimalist; the shower base is tiled like the rest of the room

6. Mirrors

Not just functional, they are a great way to add a designer element to the room. It can also alter the way we look at a room, making the room look bigger

The Palettes range from quite muted & soft to bright neon’s as a nod to this season’s fashion colours. They are all a welcome move away from the heaviness of the dark woods & beige that have dominated over the last few seasons. Texture & Pattern as highlight is important in the form of velour’s, wallpapers & soft furnishings. We will explore some of the palettes & their application with pictures as examples to get your creative juices flowing