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Beyond Solar Panels: What does a Home Energy Management Solution look like?

Why Australians are switching to Home Energy Management Solutions

Australians continue to face cost-of-living pressures and are looking for ways to save on expenses. Making your home more energy-efficient is a practical way to start taking control.

Installing solar panels is a smart move, but homeowners are turning to total home solutions to minimise energy bills and improve comfort. A total home energy solution combines solar power, battery storage, efficient hot water, EV charging and home energy management to reduce – and possibly eliminate - your reliance on the grid. 

In this article, we will explore how the different systems work together to ensure you get the most out of your solar investment.

What does a Home Energy Management Solution involve?

1. Solar Power: The foundation of your energy solution

Installing solar panels is a great first step towards energy independence, converting Australia’s abundant sunshine into electricity.

Your local Solahart Dealer can recommend the right size system for you with a free in-home assessment, which considers different factors, including:

  • Your current and future energy use: Installing a larger solar power system now can cater to future energy demands, especially as electrification gathers momentum in Australia due to factors such as government incentives, reduced energy bills, and environmental benefits.
  • Understanding your home’s physical features: Your Solahart Dealer will need to assess your home’s location, orientation, roof space, and any shading issues before installing a solar power system.
  • Discussing your budget and savings: Solahart will recommend a solution based on your budget and the energy savings you wish to achieve.

With advancements in solar technology, panels are becoming more efficient, generating more power per square metre and making full use of the roof space available.

2. Battery Storage: Don’t let your solar power go to waste

In many households, solar panels generate more electricity than is consumed during the day. This is because people are not at home when the solar is being generated or don’t need to use their energy outside of the peak morning and evening periods. This unused electricity is sent back to the grid for little or no return.

A home battery stores excess solar power, which you can then use when the sun isn’t shining, enabling a better return on your solar investment. Instead of relying on the grid, you can tap into more of the energy your solar system generates to offset your electricity costs.

ALSO READ: Five reasons to install a home battery

3. Electric Vehicle Charging: Driving towards a greener future

With the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) continuing to grow, integrating an EV charger as part of your total home energy solution is a smart move. Charging from the grid could be a costly exercise, so an adequately sized solar power system can enable you to charge your EV in a cost-effective and sustainable way.

4. Efficient Water Heating: Energy savings

Water heating makes up around 25% of an average Australian household’s energy consumption.¹ By installing an energy-efficient hot water system, you can confidently run your showers, do your washing and other household activities while reducing your energy use.

Solahart offers three great renewable water-heating solutions:

Solar hot water: This technology was pioneered by Solahart in Australia in 1953. A solar water heater uses collector panels to capture the sun’s heat and transfer it to the water stored in a tank - either ground or roof-mounted - for future use. 

Heat pump: A very efficient solution that captures energy from the surrounding air to provide hot water. It can often be installed as a direct replacement for your current electric storage water heater using existing plumbing and electrical connections. It is also an excellent alternative for homes that may not be suitable for solar water heating due to factors such as shade or limited roof space.

Solahart PowerStore®: Australia’s first solar-smart electric water heater. Solahart PowerStore® works with your solar power panels to capture excess solar energy to heat your water rather than sending it back to the grid. 

5. Home Energy Management System: Optimise your energy use for maximum savings 

So, you have renewable energy solutions, but how do you know you’re getting the most out of them? A Home Energy Management System (HEMS) orchestrates your home’s connected appliances and can minimise energy costs by: 

  • Managing solar export limits: HEMS diverts electricity generated by your solar system to connected home appliances such as your water heater, battery storage, and EV charging.
  • Solar-self consumption: HEMS optimises key connected appliances in your home to operate when solar production is at its highest.
  • Using the cheapest grid energy possible: HEMS shifts loads away from expensive peak times whenever you need to use grid energy, based on your plan with your Energy Retailer.1

With HEMS, you can access real-time data and insights about your energy production and usage. 

At Solahart, we’re committed to innovation. Helping our customers achieve maximum efficiency and savings. From a free in-home solar assessment to post-installation support, we’re there every step of the way, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

For more information or to set up a free in-home solar assessment, contact us on 1300 721 984 or fill out the form below.

Published on: 03 March 2026

Disclaimers:

  1. Source: Australian Government Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
  2. Customer must log their current energy pricing plan into the Combined Energy HEMS platform.