It's no secret that household budgets are tighter than ever. With inflation and other economic factors causing living costs to increase, families and businesses alike are looking for ways to reduce their expenses. Solar energy is one of the most effective tools available for reducing costs in the long term.
Electricity: A Major Household Expense
For most New Zealand households, electricity is one of the largest recurring expenses after housing and food. The average New Zealand household spends $1,500–$2,500 per year on electricity, and this has been rising steadily.
With electricity tariffs increasing significantly in recent years, many families are finding their energy bills have become a significant financial burden, particularly for households with electric heating, hot-water cylinders and EV charging.
How Solar Directly Reduces Your Electricity Bill
When you install solar panels, you generate your own electricity from sunlight. Every unit of electricity your system generates is one less unit you buy from the grid. At typical electricity prices of 30–40 cents per kWh, each kilowatt-hour you generate yourself represents real savings.
A quality 6.6kW solar system in New Zealand generates roughly 26 kWh per day averaged across the year, depending on your location, roof orientation and the season. Between the power you avoid buying and the surplus you sell back to your retailer, that can add up to thousands of dollars of value every year.
Real Numbers: Before and After Solar
A typical EFS Solar customer in New Zealand before solar:
- Monthly electricity bill: $170–$230
- Annual electricity cost: $2,000–$2,800
After installing a 6.6kW solar system:
- Monthly electricity bill: $35–$65 (import charges only)
- Annual electricity cost: $420–$780
- Annual saving: $1,600–$2,400
The Long-Term Budget Impact
Over the 30-year warranted life of a quality solar system, the cumulative bill savings commonly exceed $60,000, and considerably more once future electricity price increases are factored in.
$0 Upfront: No Budget Impact to Get Started
EFS Solar offers $0 upfront financing, meaning you can start benefiting from solar without any impact on your current budget. In many cases, your monthly loan repayment is less than your monthly electricity bill saving, meaning you're financially ahead from day one.
Contact EFS Solar today for a free quote and personalised savings estimate.