These increased costs are no surprise: heating and cooling represent 47.7% of the energy we use in our home, followed by appliances, electronics, and lighting at 34.6%. To make matters worse, a large amount of home electricity usage comes from idle devices.

For those that are looking to reduce their energy usage and cut costs on spending, prepaid electricity can be a great way to do so. You can even opt for free electricity on nights and weekends with some plans.

However, you must weigh a few critical considerations before signing a contract for a prepaid electricity plan. This guide will highlight everything you should know about prepaid electricity.

What is prepaid electricity?

Prepaid electricity is an electric plan that allows customers to control electricity use by paying before using electricity. Due to their deregulation laws, these plans are available in states like Texas and Maryland.

This pay method encourages customers to opt for a more mindful utilization of energy, and move towards using more efficient electronic equipment at home or in the office, consequently avoiding power waste.

It poses a win-win perspective for both consumers and utilities. On the one hand, it allows users to keep track of energy consumption and enables low-income families to access this precious utility.

For utilities, prepaid electricity potentially reduces the number of unpaid bills each month and power theft, two issues that carry important economic losses for suppliers. A handful of well-known utilities offer these services for affordable rates, like Direct Energy and First Choice Power of Texas.

Prepaid electricity around the world

Prepaid electricity has been shining a light on the electricity needs of different countries. It has solved electrification problems in certain villages of rural India, and played a key role in the electrification of South Africa’s post-Apartheid.

However, this concept is not limited to developing countries, where electricity access is often restricted to a share of the population. Prepaid electricity also applies to first-world countries that consume higher energy rates and need passive means to control and lessen power use.

As novel as it might sound, prepaid electricity has recently gained popularity.

According to a forecast made by the Northeast Group LLC, a smart energy infrastructure intelligence company based in Washington DC, electricity is projected to become the next big growth market in the prepaid offerings field. The firm estimates that there will be an investment of $11.4 billion in prepaid metering for the coming decade.

Indeed, market projections point to prepaid electricity becoming a top player in Africa’s electrification process.

Predictions do not only target Africa as a driver of the prepaid service expansion but also foresee a high prepaid electricity penetration taking place in South and Southeast Asia, where the power theft rate is as high as the number of unpaid bills.

Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Bangladesh, India, and Indonesia are some of the countries where the prepaid modality is already being offered.

Developed countries like Belgium, the U.S., and the U.K. have also joined the movement.

How does prepaid electricity work?

Prepaid electricity bases its operation on Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), a state-of-the-art technology that involves systems and networks for measuring, collecting, storing, analyzing, and using energy consumption data.

Measurements are carried out in a detailed and frequent time-based fashion. Then, data is wirelessly transmitted to the utility company for monitoring and billing.

The plan is so practical and flexible that its applicability is not only limited to electricity; it has already extended to other utilities, like water and gas.

Opting for a prepaid electric service requires you to have a remotely-operated smart meter in charge of sending your home’s power use information to your electricity supplier.

Smart meters eliminate the need to have a technician come by to read your meter manually on a regular basis.

The type of meter you already have installed in your space will determine the ease of connection to prepaid electricity. The process will be quicker and more straightforward if you already have installed a smart meter that can operate remotely.

If you don’t have this technology yet, a technician will come to your home to install and configure your smart meter.

Setting up your plan

Once the service is connected, the remaining steps to prepaid electricity are as simple as purchasing anything online from any other supplier.

You’ll have to go to the service provider webpage, create your account with your username, password, billing information, and address, and choose the prepaid plan that works best for you.

It is easy to recharge your meter with this type of plan as well. Here are a few of the ways you can recharge your smart meter:

• By phone
• Online, on the provider’s website
• At an in-person kiosk
• Directly drafted from your bank account
• Via mail
• Through money transfers like Western Union or Moneygram 

All in all, the process is easier than ever. Conveniently, some companies are even relying on apps that you can download on your smartphone or tablet to add balance and track your power use from anywhere.

Monitoring your consumption

Customers of the prepaid electricity service have their meters remotely read every day, and if they want to monitor or check their energy use, it is possible to do it by logging into their account on the company’s website, receiving daily notifications by text messages or emails, or via your app if your electric company has one.

The notification will show you how much electricity you have consumed and how much is left according to your balance; that way you can keep track of your power consumption throughout time.

Typical notifications will show:

• Kilowatt-hours consumed for the day
• Remaining balance in the local currency 
• Savings for the day
• Estimated days remaining

Some notifications go even further and break down your energy use. They also show you suggestions on how to lower electricity use according to your data.

Typical ways to reduce energy use at home include turning some lights off while not using them, raising the indoor thermostat a few degrees up in the summer or down in the winter, turning fans on in the summer instead of the AC, and so on.

Benefits of opting for prepaid electricity plans 

A number of benefits come with opting for prepaid electricity plans, like saving money and becoming more eco-conscious.

Easy setup

Most companies allow customers to enroll in pay-as-you-go plans without a deposit, credit checks, ID, or social security number, which are no doubt necessary to access utilities in traditional ways.

The setup process for prepaid electricity is incredibly easy and can be done quickly, saving you both time and money.

Sustainability

In general, a prepaid electricity program is associated with a 12% reduction in electricity consumption.

Because a prepaid service gives you the tools to track your own power consumption, it is quite probable that this process will make you more conscious about your personal electricity use.

That energy awareness might even motivate you to take further steps at home, like swapping old incandescent lighting and inefficient electronics for more energy-efficient equipment.

Flexibility

Since your electricity is paid for beforehand, you will no longer get energy bills at the end of each month. This also eliminates issues with overusing power, so you won’t have to deal with surprisingly high charges each month.

What if this month you can make it until the end of the month with extra money in the bank?

It is not obligatory to fund the whole cost of the plan. As long as the meter has a positive balance, electricity will enter your home, depending on how much is left in your account.

For example, if you are going on vacation this coming month for 15 days, you only have to pay for what you think you’ll consume during the rest of the month. Then, grab your luggage and go on vacation without the headache of having to deal with the energy bill once you come back.

Cost savings

Because your payment is directly tied to your energy usage, you can gain an accurate reading of your usage each period and adjust it accordingly whereas before, you may have been overpaying for the amount of energy you actually use.

In addition, the energy-efficient changes you make throughout each period to lower your energy consumption will save you money in the long run. Over time, you’ll be able to rely on less energy to power your home.

What are prepaid electricity plans like?

Service providers design various prepaid electric plans for customers to choose from according to their consumption and preferences, allowing clients to opt for a package that adapts to their necessities and saves money on their electricity bill.

Getting cheap prepaid electricity will depend on how careful you are while choosing your plan. The plans can vary greatly – some do not require contracts, while others hold you to a 36-month-long commitment. Month-long plans are also available for some companies.

However, it is strongly recommended to read the terms and conditions of your potential plan, since different restrictions apply for each plan.

Depending on your contract type, the price per kWh can be fixed according to your electricity use, or you could also pay an average price per kWh that is subject to variations. In this case, if the electricity price drops, so will your power bill as well.

Some companies also include 100% green energy or a share in the total supply. In this care, make sure that the company offers an energy certificate, so you know that you are getting what you are paying for.

Free nights and weekends

Some companies incentivize the use of prepaid electricity during off-peak time through the implementation of free nights and free weekend plans. This concept is known as time-of-use rates or TOU rates.

Energy companies offer these kinds of plans because, generally, high energy usage is expected in winter and a smoother curve is more likely during summer when heaters are off. A similar story occurs throughout the day: energy usage is higher during the daytime than at night.

But are these hours actually free? Remember that in exchange for ‘free’ electricity, you may be required to pay a considerably higher rate for your non-free electricity periods. The free nights and free weekends plans will always come with an associated cost at the end, as low as it might be.

If you’re considering opting for a free weekend or nights prepaid electricity plan, compare the plan’s rates and hours against your schedule and your willingness to do chores or cook at night, for example.

Having cheap prepaid electricity will depend on how adjustable your schedule is to the plans your company offers, and how carefully you read the terms of the plan you are going for.

Frequently asked questions about prepaid electricity

Have more questions on prepaid electricity? Let’s dive into the most frequently asked questions about these plans.

Does prepaid electricity involve lower supply quality?

A prepaid service does not imply a decrease in service delivery or support quality.

On the contrary, clients who have taken that road seem to enjoy better customer service than those without a prepaid electricity plan. This could be due to the flexible way in which the service is being distributed and managed.

How do I know prepaid electricity is right for me? 

There are a few considerations you can ask yourself to know whether or not a prepaid electricity plan is right for you: 

• Do you prefer to pay as you go?
• Do you prefer not to pay a deposit upfront?
• Are you ok with not receiving a monthly paper bill?
• Do you want to reduce and monitor your energy usage?
• Do you want to be able to split energy costs with your roommates?

These are all elements of prepaid electricity plans, so certainly consider them to know what you’re signing on to.

Where can I get prepaid electricity?

The service already exists in over 30 states, with a large presence in the Southeast and Midwestern states such as Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri.

In Texas alone, over a handful of competitive electric providers are already offering prepaid electricity plans, including:

• Direct Energy
• First Choice Power
• Reliant Energy

How can I avoid having my prepaid electric service disconnected?

Continued prepaid electric service depends on you prepaying for service in advance. It is important to keep your account balance at or above the disconnection balance, or your service may be disconnected.

If your current balance falls below the disconnection balance, your service will be disconnected with little notice. You will be notified one to seven days before your account balance is expected to fall below your disconnection balance.

Final thoughts on prepaid electricity

By 2021, over 2.62 million people in the U.S. will be part of the prepaid electricity service. With this in mind, over 200 electric utilities are already offering or are planning to offer prepaid electricity based on AMI.

Suppose you’re looking for a way to cut down on energy costs, create a more energy-efficient home, and gain more flexibility with your energy usage? In that case, prepaid electricity may be a great option for you.

Put simply, net metering is a system that tracks and credits solar panel owners for the excess energy they send back to the electric grid. However, there are some key details every current and potential solar panel owner should keep in mind. 

Here we will define what net metering is, how it works, and whether your location meets local net metering requirements.

So, what is net metering and what does it mean?

More and more homeowners are investing in solar panels to power their homes efficiently and sustainably. In most cases, solar systems in residential neighborhoods are linked to the local electrical grid. 

When solar panels are connected to the grid, they can benefit from the process of net metering.

When solar panels generate more power than is needed to power a home, their owners can sell this excess electricity back to the local utility company to then distribute back to others connected to the grid. 

While it is possible to operate these systems without being connected to the local electrical grid, there are a few key reasons why grid-tied solar panels are more practical for the average homeowner.

1. Cost: Off-grid systems require batteries, and grid-tied systems typically do not. While these batteries can last several years, they do not come cheap. Connecting to the grid not only reduces the costs of these batteries, but also eliminates installation and recurring maintenance costs. 

2. Reliability: An off-grid system may not have enough capacity to power an entire household. When a system is tied to the grid, it can draw any extra necessary energy needs from the grid to meet the demands of the house. 

Whether on or off-grid, solar panels do continue working when it’s cloudy or nighttime. However, depending on how dense the cloud cover is, the amount of power the solar panels produce decreases.

This is where reliability comes in: when a solar system is connected to the grid, it will still have access to the electricity it needs when the weather turns overcast, or if a part of the system malfunctions. 

As mentioned above, the process of net metering is another key benefit of connecting your solar panels to the electricity grid. Let’s dive deeper into how, exactly, net metering works. 

How does net metering work?

There are three common models for net metering: buy all/sell all, net billing, and net metering, which is the most common. Each process differs slightly, so let’s dive in. 

Net metering

During the day while the sun is out, solar panel systems often produce more electricity than a household consumes, causing the meter to run backwards and send the extra electricity back to the power grid. 

Net metering is the most common arrangement for this process – customers will only receive a bill each month if their system generates less energy than their household uses. If their system generates more than their household uses, customers will receive a credit for their excess production that can be applied to utility bills.

Often, these credits will offset any electricity customers may need from the grid. Credits are equivalent to the rate that you would otherwise pay for electricity. 

Buy all/sell all

Solar owners have another option if they are connected to the grid: the buy all/sell all method. Customers can sell all of the energy their system generates to the utility company at a wholesale price.

The utility company will then provide the customer 100% of the home’s energy, at the current retail price. However, it’s important to note that this model requires two separate meters to measure the amount of energy generated, and the amount consumed by the house. 

If you choose to go with this model of net metering, you’ll have to pay the difference between the energy generated and consumed. This also means that your house won’t consume the energy your solar panels generate. 

Net billing

The net billing model acts similarly to net metering. In this process, customers can use the electricity generated by their panels and sell the excess to the local utility company. 

However, this model is different in that customers cannot receive credits to apply in the future.

What are the benefits of net metering?

Net metering can be a great option for a lot of homeowners who are actively using solar panels, or are considering investing in a solar system. There are a few key benefits of pursuing a net metering model for your home, on both an individual and societal level. 

Greater control

Whichever model you decide to go with, there’s no doubt that net metering provides customers with greater control over their energy usage. It ensures that solar owners have access to the energy their home needs at all times of the day, without having to foot the cost of a solar battery. 

Net metering can also provide greater control over the costs associated with solar systems. Net metering gives solar customers more control over their electricity bills by crediting, and in some cases, compensating them for the electricity that their system feeds to the grid. 

This process can serve to benefit both solar and non-solar customers, however: a 2014 study commissioned by the Nevada Public Utility Commission found that net metering provided $36 million in benefits to all NV Energy customers, solar and non-solar alike. 

Cleaner, more efficient electricity 

Net metering allows solar customers to generate their own electricity on their property in a cleaner, more energy-efficient way. 

Utilizing net metering increases demand for solar energy among consumers in a given area, which will also result in economic benefits such as job creation, income generation, and increased investment. 

The more customers are incentivized to adopt net metering for their solar panels, the more clean, efficient energy will be powering homes and communities. 

Improving local utilities 

Net metering also offers benefits to local utilities. How?

These models can level out the demand curve for electricity in a given area, and allow utility companies to better manage their peak loads. Because net metering encourages energy generation onsite, in close proximity to where it’s consumed, it can also reduce the strain on local electricity distribution systems. 

An additional benefit to utilities and ratepayers – net metering encourages private capital to invest in new, clean, local energy capacity at no cost or risk to them. After all, this investment in cleaner energy will serve to benefit entire communities. 

A plethora of studies conducted around the U.S. have demonstrated that net metering serves to improve not only individual homes, but entire communities and local electric grids as well. Interested in pursuing net metering for your home? Keep reading to find out how.  

Is net metering available to me?

Many U.S. states have passed net metering laws that local utilities are required to abide by. In places where there are no net metering policies, however, some utilities often offer net metering programs voluntarily or as a result of regulatory decisions, but some states don’t offer net metering at all.

This varying net metering availability and policy is widely due to differences in state legislation and regulations across the country. There are a few different ways to check whether net metering is available in your area: 

• Do a quick internet search. Whether on Google or Wikipedia, finding your state’s rules can oftentimes be pretty straightforward. However, for a comprehensive list of U.S. state metering policies, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has this great resource. 

• If your state’s qualifications aren’t so straightforward, or you can’t find the information you’re looking for online, it’s always a good idea to speak to your energy provider. They will be able to answer any questions you may have about net metering. 

List of net metering credit states

According to our most recent research, net metering is currently available in the following states, with the following parameters:

*LADWP customers can take advantage of net metering for systems up to 1 MW; excess generation is credited to the customer’s next bill at the retail rate.

Final thoughts on net metering

Now that you have a comprehensive answer to the question ‘What is net metering?’, you’re better informed to invest in your solar panel system now and in the future. 

Though it can take a few different forms, net metering serves to benefit not only your home’s energy use and monthly bills but also the entire electric grid as a whole. 

Green Coast is a renewable energy and green living community focused on helping others live a better, more sustainable life.

What is nuclear energy?

Before we discuss the pros and cons of nuclear energy, it’s important to get clear on what it is we are actually talking about – with a clear definition and explanation. 

All matter on earth is made up of tiny particles called atoms, composed of even small particles called protons, neutrons, and electrons.

The positively-charged protons and neutral neutrons make up the center, or nucleus of the atom, with the negatively-charged electrons forming a cloud around it. The bonds between the protons and neutrons help to hold the nucleus together.

These bonds contain massive amounts of energy which is released if they break down. This process, of breaking apart the nucleus of an atom by destroying these bonds is known as fission, nuclear fission.

This is where nuclear energy comes from, so named because the energy is produced by breaking down the nucleus of an atom.

In this process, the energy released through the fission reaction serves as a source of heat. In a nuclear power plant, the heat is usually used to turn water into steam which turns turbines, producing electricity.

The most common fuel used in nuclear power plants today is uranium, or U-235. In the nuclear fission reaction, a collides with a uranium atom, splitting it.

Along with releasing energy in the form of heat, when the uranium atom splits, it also releases a neutron from its nucleus, which collides with another uranium atom nearby. This repeats over and over in a self-sustaining chain reaction.

Currently, 28 US states have at least one commercial nuclear reactor, with a total of 93 operating reactors at 55 facilities across the country. Combined, these reactors can generate up to 95,492 MW of electricity – to put this in context, 1 megawatt can power the average US home for 1.2 months.

Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy

Nuclear energy has incredible potential to replace fossil fuels in order to power our homes, businesses, and industry, without the greenhouse gas emissions and much of the pollution associated with coal, oil, and gas. 

However, there are some serious concerns associated with nuclear power, so it’s important to understand both the benefits and drawbacks of this type of energy.

Benefits of nuclear energy

We’ll start by looking at the benefits of nuclear energy and why this type of fuel has many advantages over fossil fuels in particular.

1. Nuclear energy is largely sustainable

Commercial nuclear reactors commonly use uranium as fuel, an element which exists in abundant quantities across the world. Unlike fossil fuels, the world has plenty of uranium resources – the world has over six million tons of known recoverable uranium, which is predicted to last anywhere from 80 to 230 years based on our current rate of consumption.

Additionally, the World Nuclear Association argues that there are many more sources of ‘unconventional resources’ which can be used to produce uranium using other metals.

Although uranium is not a renewable resource as sources are finite, technology is rapidly advancing to allow us to recycle fuel over and over.

Countries such as Japan and France are developing ways to efficiently recycle reactor fuel, which would mean that spent nuclear fuel can be reused. Being able to reuse nuclear fuel again and again would make this a semi-renewable source of energy.

Furthermore, nuclear reactors produce almost no pollution and only minimal amounts of carbon emissions – the main by-product of the nuclear fission process is steam.

It should be noted that there are concerns over excessive water use of nuclear facilities, but we’ll cover this later, in the cons section of this post.

2. Nuclear energy is highly efficient

The nuclear fission reaction produces high-density energy, making uranium much more efficient as a fuel than coal, natural gas, and other fossil fuels. With nuclear energy, much less fuel is needed to produce the same amount of energy.

Furthermore, because this highly-efficient fuel can generate constant energy for an extended period of time, reactors don’t need to be refueled very often which avoids frequent shutdowns. As the technology develops, nuclear power plants are becoming even more efficient, meaning we can generate even more energy from the same fuel.

3. Very limited greenhouse gas emissions

Unlike burning fossil fuels, the nuclear fission process does not generate CO2 or any other greenhouse gasses – only steam. Much of this steam is condensed back to water and returned to the system through the iconic cooling towers which are key features of nuclear power plants.

In this way, much of the water is recycled, minimizing the use of water.

The process in the nuclear reactor can emit negligible amounts of CO2, for example by using backup generators during refueling or by running the plant on idle, but these emissions are usually minimal. A nuclear reactor emits a fraction of the carbon emissions of a conventional power plant during its lifecycle, which can be up to 70 years, compared to around 30 years for coal power stations.

4. Maintenance costs are low

Nuclear power plants can run for years with very little maintenance and minimal refueling, making them very cost-effective to maintain. The overall running costs of a nuclear power plant are much lower than coal, natural gas, and kerosene-based facilities.

The average nuclear power plant can run for more than 60 years without needing to be shut down for maintenance. Generally, only the reactor’s core needs some degree of regular maintenance, but even this is only necessary occasionally.

This also means low costs to the environment: because nuclear reactors can continue to run for decades with minimal maintenance, we don’t need to build new power plants so often. This minimizes the resources needed in new builds and the environmental impacts associated with construction.

Disadvantages of nuclear energy

Now we’ve discussed the benefits of nuclear energy, let’s take a look at the drawbacks that need to be considered.

1. Radioactive materials can be harmful to the environment

Nuclear energy relies on uranium, which is a highly radioactive material. Spent uranium fuel remains radioactive for centuries, and during this time is devastating to the environment, if not disposed of properly.

In the event that it isn’t disposed of correctly, nuclear waste can contaminate water, soil, and air, harming all kinds of life and potentially making the environment inhabitable.

Equally an accident, from a leak from the plant to complete meltdown, can severely damage the environment up to hundreds of miles away.

Therefore, it’s extremely important to factor in the cost of properly handling nuclear material and ensure that it is managed properly to avoid damaging the environment. This is crucial if nuclear energy is ever going to be considered as a viable alternative form of energy. 

2. There are safety risks associated with nuclear energy

For the same reason, nuclear power plants and their waste can pose severe risks to human health. If people are exposed to nuclear radiation, they can suffer a range of long-term health effects, including increased risk of developing a wide range of cancers.

Large doses of radiation can be fatal in the short term: exposure to very high levels of radiation causes acute radiation syndrome, which induces vomiting and nausea within hours and can result in death within days or weeks.

There are also proliferation issues associated with nuclear power. Enriched uranium can be used to make devastating nuclear bombs, so it’s essential that uranium doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.

This is one of the major concerns as more countries start to use nuclear energy, but essentially comes down to good management, as responsible authorities need to monitor fuel use to avoid proliferation.

3. Nuclear energy is high cost

Although ongoing maintenance is relatively inexpensive, building a nuclear reactor in the first place involves a large investment of capital. So in essence, the outlay cost is large, but ongoing costs are minimal.

Additionally, stored uranium fuel as well as spent fuel rods require careful handling and expert attention, which can also involve significant costs. Similarly, nuclear power plants require tight (and therefore expensive) security to manage the risks of proliferation of these hazardous and potentially dangerous materials.

Is nuclear energy really renewable?

A deeper analysis of the pros and cons of nuclear energy is needed to explore this topic further, the first question being whether nuclear energy is really renewable.

The answer to this is not a simple yes or no. The world has extensive uranium reserves, which we have only exploited a small percentage so far. Furthermore, because uranium is such an efficient fuel for nuclear energy, we only need to use smaller quantities of fuel to produce the same amount of power.

However, this is not the same as being a renewable source of energy. Uranium is a naturally occurring element that was formed over millions of years, and once we use all the earth’s reserves, we cannot generate any more.

In contrast, truly renewable sources of energy, such as solar, wind, and hydro energy are truly unlimited: we’ll be able to tap into these sources forever without them ever running out.

Having said that, scientists are currently developing technology that would allow us to recycle used nuclear fuel. This would involve using breeder reactors to turn the used uranium isotope into plutonium, a more potent fuel that can generate 60 times more energy from the same raw materials.

Not only would this allow us to make use of the increased potential of spent fuel, which is able to produce 30-50% more energy than natural uranium, but it also means that we’ll be able to reuse the same fuel multiple times. In this way, nuclear energy would be a semi-renewable source of energy.

How much pollution does nuclear energy produce?

Nuclear power plants create a fraction of the pollution and waste generated by fossil fuel-run facilities. For example, coal power plants produce pollutants such as toxic carbon monoxide, mercury, and lead, as well as causing acid rain.

Perhaps most seriously of all, the use of fossil fuels produces greenhouse gasses, the main cause of global warming. If we continue to generate emissions at our current rate, experts predict a rise in global temperatures of up to 3.4 degrees Celsius by 2100 and with it, severe drought, habitat destruction and natural disasters on a scale we’ve never seen before, all of which could threaten life on earth, including humankind.

In contrast, nuclear fission produces only negligible amounts of greenhouse gasses: the main waste product of the process is steam, along with comparatively small amounts of spent uranium. This waste is the major drawback of nuclear energy: it is difficult and extremely expensive to dispose of responsibly, and failure to do so can have devastating impacts on people, animals, and the natural environment.

However, scientists are currently working on solutions to be able to reuse this waste as potent nuclear fuel, which would make nuclear energy even more efficient and minimize the nuclear waste issue.

Is nuclear energy a clean energy source?

One of the major benefits of nuclear energy is that it can act as an alternative to fossil fuels to create power with minimal greenhouse gas emissions. Equally, it doesn’t produce the air pollution associated with power plants running on fossil fuels, most notably coal.

Today’s uranium producers are highly responsible – the same can’t be said for many of the countries which supply oil, coal, and gas. In contrast, the uranium sector is known for being responsible, thorough, and safety-conscious.

However, the process involves radioactive fuels which leave behind dangerous waste that can have severe impacts on human health as well as the environment if not handled properly. For this reason, it can’t really be considered a 100% clean source of energy.

Another environmental concern around nuclear energy is water use: nuclear power plants use huge volumes of water to cool their reactors, which produce high amounts of heat and can be extremely dangerous if not cooled properly. As water scarcity becomes an increasingly serious problem globally, this water use may contribute to droughts, deforestation, and even conflicts.

However, many nuclear facilities work hard to recycle the water used in the system, keeping water use as low as possible. There’s even the potential to use the heat generated by nuclear reactors to desalinate seawater as a way to produce more clean water without using fossil fuels or creating greenhouse emissions.

Therefore, although the radioactive nature of nuclear fuel and waste means this is not a truly clean energy source, if handled responsibly it is certainly much better for the environment than fossil fuel alternatives.

Pros and cons of nuclear energy Do the former outweigh the latter?

There are many pros and cons of nuclear energy. This energy has many benefits that put it ahead of fossil fuels: it’s highly efficient, low-maintenance, comparatively clean, and generates only negligible amounts of greenhouse gasses.

However, there are a couple of very significant drawbacks that we shouldn’t overlook: most notably, the environmental and safety risks associated with nuclear fuel and its waste, as well as the excessive amounts of water needed for nuclear fission.

A lot of this comes down to responsible management: from mining and energy production to waste disposal, it’s essential that authorities handle radioactive materials properly and securely, as well as prevent accidents, leaks, meltdowns, and proliferation.

As long as we handle radioactive materials and nuclear waste properly, as well as continuing to develop technologies to make the process more efficient, reuse spent fuel, and minimize water use, nuclear energy has the potential to be an efficient, effective, and mostly clean source of energy.

If you’re interested in learning more about different types of energy, take a look at our post on five major types of renewable energy.

The good news is that most modern TVs are far more energy-efficient than any generation before them. However, if you are looking for a TV that combines excellent quality with innovative energy-saving features, there are a few standouts on the market.

If you’re in a rush we think the TCL 55″ Class 5-Series 4K UHD Smart TV is the best option for most people looking for an energy efficient TV with modern specs.

TOP PICK

TCL 55-inch Class 5-Series 4K UHD Dolby Vision HDR Roku Smart TV

Check Latest Price

The top five best energy efficient TVs

If you’re looking for an energy-efficient TV without compromising on quality, and don’t want to trawl through a million unhelpful reviews, then we have great news!

We’ve gone ahead and done the legwork for you, tracking down two excellent all-rounder options and a few more specific models that are a great green solution to common problems.

1. Best Overall – TCL 55″ Class 5-Series 4K UHD Dolby Vision HDR Roku Smart TV

The first of our energy-efficient all-rounders is the TCL Class 5-Series, and it’s a great choice if you’re into greener streaming and gaming. 

The Class 5 comes in four sizes; 43-inch, 50-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch, so there’s bound to be a size to fit your living space. The built-in Roku TV gives you access to around 500,000 movies and TV episodes across thousands of streaming channels. 

The inbuilt voice controls work with either the Roku app and popular personal assistants, like Alexa and Google Home, or voice-enabled remotes.

The Class 5 uses a proprietary iPQ Engine paired with excellent 4K UHD picture quality and Dolby Vision HDR for some really crisp colors and deep blacks. Despite the superb picture quality, the Class 5 expends the same watts per inch of screen size as most standard HD TV and far fewer than most 4K models.

For the carbon-footprint conscious gamer, the Class 5 is an excellent choice because of its auto game mode. The TV automatically detects that you’re using a games console and engages game mode, selecting the most effective picture settings.

It also comes with a headphone jack, which many modern TVs don’t, for those late-night gaming sessions.

What we like:

• 4K resolution for the same power usage as standard HD.
• Excellent range of sizes.
• Built-in Roku app and personal assistant enabled.
• A dedicated gaming mode.

What we don’t like:

• The outer bezel is quite chunky.

The TCL Class 5-Series delivers 4K picture quality without the associated energy costs. The built-in ROKU means you don’t need another device to stream and the automatic gaming mode is great for carbon-conscious gamers.

2. SAMSUNG 50″ Class QLED Q60T Series – 4K UHD Dual LED Quantum HDR Smart TV

If you’re not really interested in gaming but still want a sharp picture with excellent color contrast and deep blacks, then Samsung’s QLED technology is a great choice.

Quantum dot light-emitting diode, or QLED, is Samsung’s answer to getting the best out of their less expensive screens by using something other than the standard white LEDs with color filters over the pixels.

QLED technology allows LED TVs to provide the richness of color associated with far more power-hungry plasma screens.

In addition to great screen resolution, the Q60T Series also features built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, Google Assistant, and Alexa functionality. There are also three HDMI ports and two USBs to connect the rest of your home entertainment system to.

What we like:

• The use of QLED tech to get better picture quality without the energy demands of plasma.
• The Google Assistant and Alexa enabled voice commands.

What we don’t like:

• The plastic feet feel a little cheap and unstable.

If you want excellent picture quality but aren’t interested in a power hungry plasma screen, then Samsung’s QLED technology is a great choice. The Q60T Series provides rich colours and deep blacks using only energy-efficient LEDs.

3. Best small eco-friendly TV – SAMSUNG 32″ Class FRAME QLED

While the 80-inch living room dominator has become the gold standard of most modern entertainment setups, there are plenty of reasons that you might want a smaller TV.

You might be looking for a TV for a smaller space, like an RV or a home office. You might have heard that a smaller TV is more energy-efficient, which is true and something we’ll cover in more detail later. 

Alternatively, you might simply not want a television of such magnitude that it’s the focal point of your home.

The Samsung Frame QLED is an excellent choice for a smaller TV that doesn’t compromise on picture quality. It uses the QLED tech from its big brother, the Q60T, to give you bright colors without appearing washed out. 

It also features full voice control when linked to an Alexa device. 

As a FRAME TV, this model is specifically designed to look like a framed painting and, when put on standby, turns on a screen saver to mimic your favorite artworks. You can build up your library of artwork from the built-in art store, and even the style of frame is customizable.

What we like:

• The FRAME option is a great way to stop your TV from dominating the room.
• QLED tech gives you more saturated colors, even on a smaller screen.

What we don’t like:

• The art store’s custom bezels and pictures are all an additional cost.

The FRAME QLED provides all the picture quality of the Q60T but with a much more unobtrusive design. If you’re looking for an energy efficient TV for a smaller room, or just one that isn’t the dominant feature, the FRAME is a great choice.

4. Best 1080P energy-efficient TV if you don’t need 4K – VIZIO D40-D1 D-Series 40″

There are many confusing acronyms thrown around when it comes to high definition TVs. Do you need 4K, UHD, FHD,1080p…?

Essentially, what this jumble of letters and numbers refers to is the resolution of your television’s screen. The resolution relates to the number of pixels, tiny dots of light, that compose the picture.

4K, which is often used interchangeably with Ultra High Definition (UHD), normally means the screen has around 8 million pixels. 1080p sits just below that at about 2 million pixels.

More pixels means more light, and more light means more energy. So if you are looking for an energy-efficient option and aren’t concerned about getting the maximum number of pixels possible, a 1080P TV is a good compromise.

The VIZIO D40-D1 has a 60 Hz effective refresh rate for greater motion clarity, built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, and uses the VIZIO Internet App to help organize your favorite streaming services. The D40-D1 comes in a size range from 24-inch to 50-inch to fit the vast majority of spaces.

What we like:

• You still get full high definition without needing to pay or provide the energy requirements for 4K.
• It comes in five different size options, from 24” to 50”.

What we don’t like:

• The speakers aren’t quite the same quality as the screen and are prone to popping noises. 

If you’re unconcerned about 4K picture quality but are carbon conscious, then the D40-D1 is an excellent compromise. The 1080P screen still provides fantastic picture quality, but because it has around a quarter of the pixels of 4K, uses significantly less energy.

5. Best for off-grid use – SuperSonic SC-2412 LED Widescreen HDTV & Monitor 24″

If you’re off on an RV vacation, staying in a hotel for work, or just need a multi-purpose solution for a home office or bedroom, then the SC-2412 is an excellent choice.

This compact television also doubles as a PC monitor. It’s 1080p, so you get good crisp resolution without the added energy use of a 4K screen. The built-in DVD player gives you more entertainment options without the extra energy cost of running two devices. 

As a cross between a computer monitor and a TV, the SC-2412 is compact and thin, great for getting into tight spaces, but still has multiple picture modes and digital noise reduction you’d expect from a television.

With both HDMI and USB inputs, you also have the freedom to connect a Firestick or similar device to expand your entertainment options. 

What we like:

• The built-in DVD player cuts down on energy usage.
• It works just as well as a computer screen as it does a compact television.

What we don’t like:

• The manufacturer, SuperSonic, has been merged out of existence, making warranty claims difficult.

The SC-2412 is an excellent flexible and portable energy efficient TV. Combining a computer monitor, DVD player, and TV, this diminutive all-in-one package is excellent for if you’re on the move.  

Why buy an energy-efficient TV?

If you already have a television that you are satisfied with, there’s no need to rush out and replace it with another model advertised as “energy-efficient.” 

Most modern TVs are already energy-efficient compared to the clunky power-hungry Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monsters of the past. If you’re replacing a TV that still works, you also have to consider the environmental impact of disposing of a TV and manufacturing the new one.

However, if your TV has broken and you need a replacement, it is worth looking for an ENERGY STAR certified television. Being energy-efficient doesn’t mean diminished picture quality. What it does mean is around a 25% reduction in power requirements. 

This might not seem like much, but given how much time the average family spends watching TV, it will make a difference to both your energy bills and global power consumption. 

If everyone who spends, on average, five hours a day watching TV reduced their energy load by 25%, it would make a huge difference.

Which type of TV uses the least energy?

When it comes to the relative energy efficiency of different TV types, there are three significant factors to consider.

The first is what kind of screen does the television have. There are two principal types of modern TV:

Plasma 

Plasma TVs use a similar process to a fluorescent light bulb (though far more complicated). Electrically conductive gas trapped in tiny cells is excited by applying voltage. The excited gas then releases photons of light.

Each pixel on the screen of a plasma TV contains three of these tiny cells, one red, one blue, one green. The TV’s processor intelligently fires the cells to create the right colors for the screen’s picture.

If this sounds complicated, it’s because it is. Plasma TVs produce better color contrast, picture brightness, and color saturation, but they’re very power-hungry and have shorter lifespans than most LCD or LED TVs.

LCD/LED

Liquid crystal display (LCD) uses a liquid crystal solution between two panels to block light emitted by an LED back panel. This creates the images on the screen. The front panel filters the UV light not blocked by the crystal into the correct colors. 

LCD screens use about half the power of a plasma screen of the same size. Compared to a plasma screen, an LCD TV offers excellent resolutions and bright colors but poor reproduction of blacks and are not as bright.

There tends to be some confusion around LCD/LED TVs because of the similar acronym and because they basically refer to the same type of TV. The LCD provides the image, and the LED provides the light. Both parts are more energy-efficient than plasma.

Screen Size

The second factor to consider is the size of your TV. The larger the size, the more energy the TV uses. It’s that simple.

Resolution

Resolution is one of the factors that TVs are more commonly advertised on. The term resolution refers to the number of pixels that make up the screen. Those need to be lit and colored using electricity, so a higher resolution uses more energy.

Buying an energy-efficient TV is about finding a balance between wanting the biggest, brightest, highest resolution television you can afford and how much power that TV uses.

Features to look for when buying an energy-efficient TV

As we mentioned above, screen size, screen type, and resolution will impact how energy-efficient your TV is capable of being. 

However, most manufacturers have picked up on the desire for more eco-friendly electronics and included a number of flashy and confusingly named features to capitalize on that.

Generally, there are three factors you want to look for:

• Energy Saving Mode – Also marketed as “Eco-mode” or “Green-mode,” this is a setting that lets you dim your screen brightness, reducing your TV’s power consumption. Ideal for when you’ve got something on in the background, but aren’t really watching it.

• Presence Sensors – We’ve all wandered out of the room at some point, gotten distracted, and left the TV switched on. A presence sensor picks up on you leaving the room and puts the TV on standby to conserve energy after a certain amount of time.

• Green Manufacturing – The electronics industry is under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable manufacturing practices and eco-friendly product design. Some TV manufacturers, like Samsung, have already implemented eco-friendly design and production processes.

Since manufacturing represents a hidden ecological cost to purchasing a TV, it is worth prioritizing companies that offer greener options.

Choose the right settings on your TV to save power

Once you have your TV, there are some steps you can take to reduce your day-to-day power consumption:

Choose the right picture mode

Picture modes like dynamic, sports, game, or vivid are designed to display at maximum brightness. Changing those settings to standard, movie, or cinema and simply reducing the light level in the room cuts down on the energy your TV is using.

Use a sleep timer

If you regularly fall asleep with the TV on, then set a sleep timer once your head starts to nod. The timer will turn the TV off after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

Turn the screen off

If you’ve just put the TV on to listen to a show in the background while you work, clean, or do other tasks, consider turning off the screen altogether. Most modern TVs have this option, which significantly cuts down the overall energy consumption.

Responsible recycling

If you’re carbon-conscious, then how you dispose of your old TV is as important as what new television you buy. Many of the major television manufacturers now operate an electronics recycling program. 

VIZIO was recently awarded a Sustainable Materials Management Gold Tier distinction from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for recycling 40,000,000 pounds of electronic waste every 12 months.

Samsung operates a ‘Triple-R’ program, ensure that resources can be reused by recovering, reusing, and recycling after the product’s lifespan through e-waste take-back programs in different countries. 

Sony is also a take-back/recycling for electronics, as does LG, working hand in hand with governments worldwide as part of the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive to prevent electronics from being sent to landfills.

In addition to the TV itself, make sure you responsibly recycle any old DVDs, which otherwise take millions of years to decompose and have a devastating impact on the planet’s ecosystem.

The most efficient way to stream media

Once you’ve got your new TV home and recycled your old one, you’re going to want to watch something on it, probably by streaming it. 

The average viewer spends 63% of their TV viewing time watching streaming media and how you stream is another chance to be more energy efficient. 

Many of the TVs we’ve highlighted in this article come with a built-in streaming app or service. If you are sitting down to watch something, you’ll be using 15 times less energy by streaming through an app, Firestick, or Roku than booting up your games console.

If you’re not using the TV, you’ll be four times more energy-efficient using a tablet to watch your favorite streamed media than a laptop.

Greener media

Since we spend so much time using them, choosing the right TV is an excellent way to conserve energy and help both your wallet and the environment. It’s also far easier to buy a greener TV than conserving water or using a hybrid car.

Now that you know exactly what makes a TV more energy-efficient and what steps you can take to minimize its power draw, you have all you need to find a television that gives you the picture quality you want for the lowest amount of electricity used.

Do you have a super energy efficient TV that you think should have made our list? Do you have any tips on minimizing the amount of power your TV uses? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

While some solar panels and installations come with their inbuilt inverters, such as the Tesla Powerwall 2, they still require an external solar inverter to function as a solar array fully.

Here are six of the best solar inverters that you should check out as well as what to look for when buying one.

6 Best Solar Inverters in 2025

1. SolarEdge HD-Wave Inverter

SolarEdge inverters have increasingly gained popularity globally, more so, in the United States and Australia. In recent years, the awakening of solar energy production, as well as its sleek design using DC optimizers, has made SolarEdge a global icon. The DC optimizers enable solar panels to be monitored and controlled at individual levels.

The SolarEdge HD-Wave inverters are one of the lightest inverters manufactured by SolarEdge. The HD-wave series is available from 2.5Kw inverters to 10Kw inverters, which makes it suitable for use within residential premises.

Regarding efficiency, they are among the finest, with a 99% efficiency mark. This mark is made possible by the fact that the inverter uses digital processors and advanced-thin-film capacitors to convert DC to AC with very minimal losses.

SolarEdge inverters allow system monitoring where the DC optimizers provide the power-output data. They can as well be connected to the Wi-Fi for remote control through the SolarEdge smartphone app. Another great trade-off provided by SolarEdge monitors is the 12-year warranty period, which is upgradable up to 25 years.

Want to know more about SolarEdge? Read about their bankability, performance and pricing in our full SolarEdge review.

2. Fronius Primo Solar Inverter

Fronius is another global leader in manufacturing photovoltaic products, that is, from solar inverters to smart meters. The release of their snap-in design in 2014 brought the company to public stunt, but what is currently raving most people is the Fronius Primo. This solar inverter has attracted extremely positive feedback from all around the globe, thanks to its active cooling system.

The Fronius Primo has an active cooling system that is in-built, and which increases the inverter’s reliability and durability. The cooling system contains a fan that expels the generated heat, hence reducing thermal stress. Overheating reduces the efficiency of any electronic device, and it has the potential to cause irreversible damage.

Monitoring the system can be done remotely as well, using the Fronius Smart Meter or a free smartphone app provided by the manufacturer. Due to the increased demand in residential installations, there have been some supply issues and some minor faults.

However, Fronius offers a 5-year warranty. Better still, if you register this solar inverter online, you get a warranty extension by five more years, which makes it a 10-year warranty. Read more about Fronius in our smart meter review.

3. GIANDEL 1200W Solar Inverter

GIANDEL 1200W Power Inverter is an ideal solar inverter for both off-grid applications as well as a tight budget. The inverter is easy to install, and one can easily plug it into a home electric grid. It has two alternating current outlets as well as a USB port, which allows connection to other devices.

Their solar inverter has a durable aluminum alloy casing that shields the device from any external impact. Additionally, the inverter has a fan fitted to it that minimizes overheating as it increases efficiency. Both factors make it fit for both indoor and outdoor environments.

The GIANDEL 1200W Power Inverter is quite affordable than most quality inverters in the market. It is portable and light, thus making it an excellent option for residential installations.

The battery size is sufficient enough to support common appliances in your household. However, it is not quite as powerful as other solar inverter options.

Therefore, this might not be an ideal option if you have some powerful machines within the household. It may fail to start-up high demanding tools hence necessary to put this factor into consideration. The other downside of this solar inverter is the short warranty period by GIANDEL, which is 18 months.

4. SMA Sunny Boy 3.8-US 3800W Grid Tie Inverter

SMA inverters are considered to be among the best solar inverters available in the market with a proven track record for durability as well as reliability. Most of the SMA inverters are suitable for use as string inverters. They used to dominate the market before the Fronius Snap-In series posing stiff competition.

SMA is a German-based company that is well known globally for the manufacture of string inverters. SMA Sunny Boy pricing varies depending on the kilowatts produced, which range from 3kW to 7.7kW. The average input voltage for the Sunny Boy series is 600V DC, while the output voltage is 240V AC.

The SMA inverters provide free and accurate monitoring options. With the smart monitoring techniques, the solar inverter can connect to Wi-Fi and send data collected to a centralized system. The user would then get access to the data from the Sunny portal.

One downside of this inverter with regards to monitoring is the smartphone app, which appears outdated as well as poor feedback.

This model is fit for anyone looking for a durable yet affordable solar string inverter. SMA provides a warranty for 10-years, which can also be extended to 20 years for any end-user. Extension of such stretched warranty proves that SMA is confident that what they release to the market is durable and of high quality.

5. ABB UNO Solar Inverter

Although ABB sold its solar inverter division to FIMER, which is an Italian company, and that will take over in 2020, it remains to be a major manufacturer of quality solar inverters. ABB has built a colossal reputation using the new series of UNO solar inverters, which are lighter yet more compact.

These solar inverters have incorporated modern technology with their new integrated intelligent home features. Additionally, they have the plug and play interfaces that make it easy for the installation and setup processes.

The inverter can work under any environmental conditions; whether indoors or outdoors, thanks to the natural convection cooling system as well as the outdoor enclosure casing.

ABB UNO inverters are one of the most affordable inverters that are built in Europe. The solar inverter poses excellent value for anyone seeking to acquire a mid-range priced, European build. Additionally, the solar inverter is TÜV Rheinland certified, but it is advisable to confirm it before purchasing it.

ABB UNO inverters are perfect for residential installation from 5kW. They can connect to Wi-Fi and send data to a centralized system that can be accessed remotely.

The system also has an intelligent algorithm that enables real-time tracking of energy harvesting as well as detection of power loss. ABB offers a 10-year warranty.

6. Enphase IQ7 Solar Inverter

Enphase is a company based in the United States, and that is well known for its solar inverters.  These inverters are micro-inverters that are installed on each solar panel. Although the installation of micro-inverters is not the cheapest, the reputation of Enphase IQ7 precedes it.

Enphase solar inverters have a long life-span and are a great option as a grid-tied solar inverter. These inverters are easy to install, shade tolerant, and are flexible to any array design. If you wish to install a  micro-inverter in your solar system, the Enphase IQ7 solar inverter is an advisable option.

The Enphase IQ7 is designed to output 290watts, but one can also pair it with panels of up to 325-335 watts. Primarily, the added range caters to the natural efficiency losses within the system.

On average, 10% of the total wattage from the panels gets lost. This loss is due to inefficiencies emanating from factors such as temperature and resistance.

Despite the sleek design and its simplicity, the monitoring system is not included upon purchase. One has to buy the monitoring module and software for them to be able to monitor the system. Secondly, setting up the monitoring system is another task that requires expertise and more labor.

Comparing this solar inverter to the others, the lack of a monitoring system is a big blow to Enphase IQ7. However, even though monitoring is not all easy, Enphase IQ7 offers a 25-year warranty; the most extended warranty period compared to the other inverters on the list.

What is a Solar Inverter?

Within the power industry, an inverter is a device that helps to convert direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC). Solar inverters are devices that convert the electricity from the solar panels, which is generally in direct current, into alternating current. Most appliances, lighting, and household electronics use the alternating current hence the conversion need.

As sunlight hits the solar photovoltaic system, electrons within cells in the solar panel move around to produce direct current. Circuits within the solar panels collect this energy, but unfortunately, most homes use AC rather than DC. Well, that’s where the solar inverters come into play.

When the cells in the solar panel produce electric energy, the electric current flows to the solar inverter. The inverter then converts the DC into AC. From the inverter, the AC energy is ready for use to power the various appliances and lighting within the building.

As more people embrace the use of solar energy, it is crucial to ensure that you have an efficient solar system, that can meet all your power needs. The efficiency of a solar system not only depends on how powerful the solar panels are but also solar power inverters.

With a grid-tied solar inverter, if panels harvest excess energy, more than you need, you can always feed it back to the grid. This way, you will have electricity from the grid, when your panels are not active.

Purchasing a solar inverter might be an uphill activity sometimes. This is because one may get confused about which are the best solar inverters in the current market. This is why it helps to know what to look for.

Things to Know When Buying A Solar Inverter

These are some of the more important considerations with a solar inverter.

Terminologies Used

It’s essential to be apt with the various terminologies used around electric energy production as well as solar inverters. Being familiar with these terms will go a long way in assisting you to understand what you are buying fully. It also helps you to know what to look for in an inverter.

Some of these terms include amps, amp-hours, watts, watt-hours, volt-ampere, and many more.

Types of Solar Inverters

In evaluating solar inverters, it is prudent to place the various types of inverters into consideration. Primarily, there are two main types of solar inverters, namely, string inverters and micro-inverters.

• String Inverters

These types of inverters are the most common, cheapest, and easiest to install. They are sometimes also known as the centralized inverters since all the solar panels are interconnected, and they all feed into a single inverter. With this setup, the entire solar system acts like a giant-panel.

The major challenge with this kind of installation is that if a single panel lowers its energy production, the other solar panels also dramatically reduce their electric output.

A solar panel may reduce its energy production since it is faulty or due to shading.

• Micro-inverters

Unlike string inverters where panels share a single inverter, microinverters are dedicated to a single solar panel. Solar systems with micro-inverters have small inverters installed to each solar panel on the roof. These micro-inverters are also known as distributed inverters.

These inverters are more efficient than the string inverters since they will still produce the necessary energy even though one or two panels under-perform. Additionally, it is easier to identify production issues as they arise. The only challenge here is that the cost of setting up the micro-inverters is a bit high.

These two types of solar inverters are the main ones, although more types of inverters are being produced based on how these ones work. The micro-inverters tend to have a long lifespan as compared to string inverters since they only convert energy from a single panel. String converters suffer some strain as they convert energy from several solar panels.

The weighing factors between the two types lie on cost as well as the lifespan. If you need one with a long life span, you better opt for the micro-inverter.  However, if, on the other hand, you prefer a lower upfront cost, you definitely should get a string converter.

Calculate How Much Power You Need

Try and come up with a rough estimate of how much power you need before dashing out to purchase that solar inverter. Bearing in mind that a solar converter is not a generator, you ought to find one that will convert enough energy to power your appliances.

Solar inverters have their limitations; hence, it is necessary to find a solar inverter, as well as solar panels that will be ideal for you.

Check The Power Ratings As Well As The Surge

Solar inverters come in different classifications. And, while some have higher power ratings, some have lower power ratings. When you calculate the amount of power that you need, you will have an idea of which range of power ratings that match your solar power system.

Surge rating refers to the number of watts of overload that an inverter can handle over a short span.

Counter-check The Safety Certification

Just like any other electronic device, solar inverters ought to be tested and proven to be safe for use before deployment into the market. These tests are usually carried out in the labs and certified upon passing the tests. Before you purchase the inverter, it is highly advisable to check their level of safety.

Have The Right Battery Choice

The type of battery in your solar inverter highly determines how long the inverter will last. Therefore, this makes it essential that you choose the battery wisely. The battery capacity is one significant factor in determining whether the battery is the best option or not.

The estimation of how much power you need alongside the number of back-up hours will assist in determining whether the battery capacity is a good match.

Having noted some of the things to consider when buying a solar inverter, let us review the top best solar inverters in 2019.

Conclusion On The Best Solar Inverters

The market is full of various solar inverters, but having a draft of the qualities you need versus the cost you are willing to pay, will at least help in narrowing down your selection.

When deciding which are the best solar inverters, there were some of the factors that were placed into consideration.

These considerations include the following:

• Quality,
• Reliability,
• Features,
• Service,
• Support,
• Monitoring,
• Price, and
• Warranty.

Solar panels offer a number of health and environmental benefits that will make the world a better place. So, buy the right inverter and start producing clean, renewable energy.

Was this article helpful for your consideration of solar inverters? Kindly share your thoughts in the comments.

Electric Meter Reading Guide: Determine Your Energy Consumption

The electric meter allows the electric supplier to calculate the energy consumption and charge its consumer for the price of electricity used. The reading of an electric meter tells the whole story that how much kilowatt electricity was consumed during the previous month.

Most of the electric meters are digital. It is quite easy to get the reading and calculate the overall monthly cost. Electric meters display numbers, which represent the amount of electricity in kilowatt/hours.

There are 1,000 watts in a kilowatt. This means that if a 100-watt bulb stays ‘on’ for one hour, it will consume 100 watts or 0.1 kilowatts.

If you want to continue to push the envelope on living green, read these several books on green living.

After discussing some basic information about an electric meter, let’s see how to conduct electric meter reading.

What is Electric Meter Reading?

These are the readings, which involve noting down the numbers displayed on an electricity meter. The numbers represent the units consumed by a household or commercial building.

The energy suppliers need these numbers to calculate the amount of total energy consumption for each month.

This is done to make sure that each consumer pays the correct amount of bill.

If your meter is working properly, there are no chances of overpaying or underpaying regarding your electricity bills.

Why Meter Readings Are So Important

Normally, when consumers switch energy supplier, they will get an estimated figure of usage rather than an accurate one. Therefore, taking meter readings makes sure that you are paying for the energy you have consumed.

If your consumption is exceeding the amount expected by the supplier, it may end up in a massive bill, payable by you. Hence, you need to keep an eye on the meter and take the correct reading periodically.

Similarly, if you consume fewer units, you can ask the supplier to lower your direct debit. This will allow you to minimize the bill and use the saved money on other things.

Therefore, providing regular meter reading to the suppliers is essential. You should do this almost every month.

You can become smarter at reading a meter by using a Fronius smart meter to make better decisions.

How to Read Digital Electric Meter Kwh

In fact, electric meter reading doesn’t involve rocket science. The most common types of electricity meters are the single-rate digital meters, variable-rate digital meters, and dial meters.

Usually, your utility will use master metering or utility sub-metering.

You should know the difference, which you can read more about here.

Single-Rate Digital Meters

As stated earlier, the basic unit to measure electricity consumption in kilowatt hours. Hence, every electricity meter measures energy in kilowatt hours (kWh).

The single-rate meter is easy to read, as it has only one set of numbers.

To start taking an electric meter reading, you need to write down all the numbers from left to right. But don’t include the number that comes after the decimal point.

Reading an Analogue or Dial Meter Readings

These are the older versions of electric meters and are relatively hard to read. Normally, you will see four to five dials on the face of such a meter. These dials show the amount of electricity consumed.

Each of these dials moves opposite to each other. For example, if the first dial moves clockwise, the second dial shows the anti-clockwise movement.

There are small arrows in each dial, which point towards a specific number. If the arrow doesn’t point to a number on the dial, just ignore it.

To take a reading, follow the procedure mentioned below.

• Just start with the dial located on the left side
• Read the number in the dial, which is pointed by the arrow
• When you notice a pointer within two numbers, record the lower one
• If the arrow is between nine and zero, read it as a nine
• In case you observe any red dials, just ignore them

See Related: Sheep’s Wool Insulation Guide and How to Use It

Reading the Economy 7 Meter

In order to read the economy 7 electricity meters, just press number 6 on the electric meter’s keypad. After that, you will see ‘IMP R01’ and some 8 digits. Repeat this process to see what digits appear on the meter.

Usually, the day and night readings are different. A few meters display day readings only during the day and night readings during the night.

Hence, you won’t get both of the readings at one time.

You may see these readings as listed into Rate 1 and Rate 4 or Rate 1 and 2. The rate for day or night is different, which depends on the type of meter.

However, it may either say ‘normal’ for day and ‘low’ for the night.

Reading a Smart Meter

Reading a smart meter is similar to running an app. To start, just press number 9 on the keypad available on the meter depending on your app and smart meter. You will see different choices but for this time, just select the meter reading.

You will get an ‘IMP kWh’ reading, showing the digits that represent the consumption in ‘kWh’.

After getting this reading, you can deduct it from the previous month’s reading and get the figure.

Top Smart Meters to Own

Consider using some of these smart meters in your home to manage your meter reading more effectively that would help you save money.

Electric Meter Reading Calculator

If you have been receiving high bills, it is essential to take a reading every month and compare it with the previous reading. This will make things more clear that how much electricity you are consuming.

Every electric appliance or device consumes electricity. The presence of these appliances in a home definitely increases an electricity bill on average.

Therefore, make sure to calculate your own tab. This will allow you to identify, which appliance is consuming more electricity. You can use any kind of alternatives to these appliances and lower your bill.

By staying aware of the electric meter reading, you can minimize the chances of receiving an overcharged bill.

If you conduct the electric meter reading by yourself, you will be sure that there is no error in it. Before we go into calculating the electricity bill, you must have a clear idea that what type of tariff or per unit cost your supplier is charging you.

Often, energy suppliers bill their clients by taking into account an estimate of their previous use. This is the biggest issue that causes electricity bills to go high.

If the supplier continues to charge you on the basis of such estimates, you will be paying for the energy that you haven’t consumed.

It usually happens when you move to a new house and receive a high electricity bill. This is the estimated bill, which your supplier calculated from the monthly usage of previous residents.

After obtaining that reading from your meter, you can calculate the total amount of kWh used. Just deduct the reading from the previous month’s reading. In this way, you will get your present month’s units.

To calculate the bill, just multiply the number of units with cost per unit. This gives you the cost of energy consumed. If your supplier is charging you a fixed fee, add it into the final figure.

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The formula for reading your electric meter and determining your energy costs

Current electric meter reading – last month reading = Total kWh used for the current month

Total kWh or units used x Cost per kWh = Total cost of Electricity consumed

Total electricity cost + Fixed fees = Final electricity bill

The equation mentioned above is easy to understand and allows you to track your energy consumption. The task is quite simple but proves to be highly essential, especially when you are receiving estimated bills.

It can save you a lot each month, making it a huge amount when you continue to save the whole year. Moreover, if you have concerns about your carbon footprint and sustainability associated with your energy consumption, you can track your electricity usage through this method.

Now when you know how to read the electric meter and calculate the cost of consumed electricity, let’s take a look at the causes of high electricity bills. Like these calculations? Consider these facts about electricity to spur your knowledge.

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What is a High Electric Meter Reading?

The most disturbing factor for your monthly budget is the high electricity bill. If you are wondering why you are getting such high bills, there are various reasons behind it.

For many years, we are witnessing a constant increase in energy bills. This rise in cost does result in raising electricity bills. However, this increase isn’t abrupt but comes gradually.

On the other hand, if you feel that your current electricity bill is much higher than the previous one, contact your supplier and share the issue. Chances are there that your supplier was sending low bills due to estimated readings.

Once the supplier knows about the difference in estimated and actual electric meter reading, they send you a bill including the additional kilowatt-hours used.

In some other cases, you need to investigate the reasons for such a hike. If the supplier has increased the tariff, you should switch to another supplier offering cheaper rates.

Even if the energy supplier tells you that there were no errors when calculating your bill, verify it on your own. You are liable to pay the full bill if there is no difference in the present and previous month’s reading.

When you don’t find anything suspicious in the bill, it’s time to see whether there are some other causes of a high electricity bill.

The following are the aspects that you should keep in mind while investigating the causes of a huge increase in your electricity bill.

See Related: Mass Metering vs Utility Sub-Metering

Issues with the Wiring

One of the culprits that are responsible for an increase in energy consumption is faulty electrical wiring. Besides, it is dangerous too, as it may cause severe damage to the home and its inhabitants.

Electrical wires that are connected loosely, cause electric leaks. This means you are losing energy without even using it.

These wires are also responsible for the irregular supply of electricity to the appliances, causing damage to them. You might save money if you switch to prepaid electricity.

Faulty Appliances

Domestic appliances are known to consume a huge amount of electricity. These include washing machines, electric oven, dishwashers, heaters, and geysers.

While using the appliances regularly, they develop some faults. If you don’t keep an eye on their performance, it will cost you in terms of high energy bills.

For instance, if your electric geyser has developed some leaks, it will take more time to heat the water. This means it will consume more energy than a regular geyser of such capacity.

Therefore, it is essential to check the performance of your home appliances. Follow our energy efficiency blog to help you become more efficient with your energy consumption.

See Related: What is Net Metering and How Does It Work

Other Notable Issues With a High Meter Reading

If all your appliances are in good condition and working properly, you can think of some other issues that are causing an increase in your electricity bills.

Just take a look at some of these causes.

• Additional energy consumption due to an event in the house
• You don’t switch off the appliances like LED TV, sound systems, unnecessary LED lights during the night
• You have changed your tariff and failed to take advantage of low tariff hours or consumed more energy during high tariff hours
• Your home is less energy efficient; hence, it requires more energy to keep it cold or warm

Same money on electricity by choosing one of these ways to get free electricity on weekends.

Is it Possible to Reset a Digital Meter

If you wonder how to reset a digital electric meter, stop thinking about it. This is so as, it is an act that is illegal or a serious crime in most of the countries. You can turn back your meter and reset it to zero.

The numbers on the meter are there to rise and you can’t reverse them. These numbers show how much energy you have consumed since the installation of such a meter.

However, smart electric meters have some sorts of options to calculate your monthly usage.

This is the portion that you can reset and restart the counter to know how much energy you consume on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

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Conclusion on Electric Meter Reading

After reading this extensive guide on electric meter reading, you have the right knowledge to track your energy consumption. The first thing to consider when reading an electric meter is its type.

You need to use a specific method to read a different meter. It is only possible to make correct reading if you are using the right method. If you are dealing with the issue of high bills, don’t take it lightly and discuss with your supplier immediately.

Note: Always make sure to wear safety gloves when going near any electric appliances.

What do you know about electric meter reading? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.

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Flipper Energy Review: Is It Worth It to Switch?

Energy bills are the expenses that drain most of your funds. Hence, when someone says that you can save a good amount on your energy bills, the idea looks quite enticing. This is what most of the energy switching sites are offering.

In order to seek the advantage of these companies, you have to provide all your personal information such as name, residence address, email and other similar details. After getting the services of a switching company, you can just relax by knowing that you are paying the lowest electricity or gas charges.

In fact, people how are concerned about their energy bills, usually try to switch to the cheapest energy suppliers. This is what a flipping or switching service will do for you.

At least, this is the promise that most of these services make to their prospective customers.

In this article, we are going to offer a Flipper Energy review. We will analyze that how beneficial this switching or flipping company is for the consumer.  Not only this, but we will also discuss the Flipper Energy pros and cons as well.

To start with, let’s take a look at how Flipper Energy works.

How does Flipper work?

To keep it simple, the Flipper Energy switching service allows the consumer to save some money by automatically switching to the cheapest energy supplier. With a view to getting the services, you need to provide your existing tariff, fuel usage patterns, postcode and payment details.

After this, the company will look for the supplier that offers the best deal and automatically switch you to that supplier. This is a continuous process where the Flipper Energy keeps on monitoring the market and when they find a substantial price difference, they flip your energy supplier.

According to different switching companies, you may save up to £350 a year or more (depending on the consumption). After flipping your energy supplier, you will receive an email from the Flipper Energy.

In addition, people can monitor their meter readings through smart meters. This makes things much easier for the consumer.

Flipper Energy claims that they are not a comparison website. Rather, they are an energy switching service, which takes care of all your worries associated with the energy bills. If this company is doing the same thing that others are already offering, then why chose Flipper Energy.

According to the resources and advertisements, we have come to know that Flipper Energy doesn’t take any kind of commission from energy suppliers.

Moreover, this company doesn’t flip the customers after the first deal ends but continue flipping throughout the year for the best deals.

If this is true that Flipper isn’t taking any kind of commission from suppliers, it may suggest that they act impartially when looking for the cheapest energy. In this way, consumers can get the lowest gas and electricity tariffs.

Below are some of the other ways in which Flipper Energy serves its consumers.

Calculated and Precise Switching

After analyzing the data from your bill, Flipper calculates your overall savings. In this way, the saving amount is calculated in an accurate and precise manner. As a result, the switching company can flip you to the most appropriate supplier for the right deal.

Flipper Energy has a wide range of suppliers & tariffs on their list. Since they don’t take a commission, almost every supplier is willing to work with this flipping service.

However, the company doesn’t choose a supplier, who has poor customer service or been involved in overbilling.

Managing the Flips

The best part of this switching company is the fact that you will be relieved from the hassle of energy comparison and looking for the best deals.

On the contrary, you can just relax and sit back, as Flipper Energy is going to handle all the matters with the supplier.

It helps you to save your precious time and use it for other productive tasks.

Continuous Monitoring

The flipping site will continue to monitor the energy rates offered by different suppliers. This ensures that you can get gas and electricity at the lowest price for the whole month.

You will get a notification when the company flips a supplier.

The flipping is done only when there are chances of saving more than £50/yr. The Flipper algorithm can calculate this amount within a few seconds.

Flipper Energy Advantages

Just like any other switching companies, the basic theme behind the working of Flipper Energy is almost the same. However, their way of flipping or switching is quite different. This makes the company somewhat different from the rest when it comes to consumer benefits.

To discuss this in detail, we have included some of the major Flipper Energy Pros or advantages.

Guaranteed Savings

The membership fee for obtaining the Flipper Energy Switching Service costs £30/year. However, the company offers a guarantee to ensure some serious savings for you. The switching company utilizes an intelligent algorithm known as Joules. This program locates the best deals after searching for the market.

In fact, Flipper takes advantage of the unique information that comes from your bill data. It is a great way to save smarter. This is a personalized service, which nobody is offering except Flipper.

The company doesn’t take into account the usage estimates or assumptions, rather it takes actual data from the bills and calculate how much saving a consumer can make annually. Read more about prepaid electricity plans.

Pay the Fee after you Start Saving

With Flipper Energy, you don’t need to pay the fee until you start saving. This means that Flipper is so sure about getting a great deal for its customers that it refrain from charging you any fee unless you start saving some considerable amount.

The minimum amount of guaranteed saving is £50. This amount excludes the exit fees that a supplier charger when you switch.

Savings Algorithm

When Flipper switches its customer to better tariffs round the year, it not only takes into account your savings but some other factors. This helps the flipping site to get the best deal. The advanced algorithm used by Flipper works intelligently. It considers both the switching times and exit fees when flipping an energy supplier. It helps to maximize the potential savings of a consumer.

When Joules (algorithm) is looking for a new deal that can save a lot in term of energy bills, it also calculates whether you should flip immediately or wait for some more time. This helps the consumer in a dual manner.

First, you can save the exit fee by waiting for the deal to end with an existing supplier. Secondly, you can choose various other choices when you are ready to flip.

If Joules considers that you can save a lot even after paying the exit fee, it will flip you to another supplier immediately.

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Better than Price Comparison Sites

Flipper Energy offers some great services that you are not supposed to get from the price comparison sites. As stated earlier that Flipper doesn’t take any commission from the suppliers, it keeps the interest of its customer in the first place.

Hence, this company can provide an unbiased overview of the market.

As the customers start saving, it will pass the amount directly to them.

See Related: How to Calculate Electricity Charges

Hassle-Free Flipping

When it comes to switching the energy suppliers, Flipper takes all the hassle away from its customers. The process doesn’t require any kind of documentation or paperwork.

After sing in, you need to provide some simple detail online. This is your first step towards lowering your energy bills and start earning back some cash in terms of savings.

See Related: Facts About Electricity

Best Customer Service

Flipper Energy is always ready to respond to any kind of query. The customer service helps to take care of your flipping activities. The customer care representative listens calmly and provides necessary assistance from beginning to end.

A wide range of Flipper reviews suggests that the customer service of this company is surely at par.

Hence, with Flipper Energy, changing your energy supplier is a smooth and hassle-free affair.

Flipping Energy Disadvantages

Although we have mentioned a lot of good things about Flipper Energy and services offered by this switching company, there are some flaws too.

To know the Flipper Energy Cons, just continue reading the section given below.

• Customers might end up paying more if the supplier fails to provide continuous energy. This may also include poor customer service, which adds more hardships if there is an energy breakout.
• In most of the cases, people can save on their own by switching to different energy suppliers. If you are good at making appropriate switching decision, you can save more amount than offered by any switching company including Flipper Energy.
• While using the Flipper Energy switching service, you will have to hand over the control of your household bills. This is pretty scary, as you are giving your billing data to an outside company, which is likely to give such details to the advertisers and make profits.
• Although there are numerous suppliers that offer cheapest deals, switching companies don’t bother to take them on their panel. The basic reason for this is the inability of these to pay the inducements to such switching companies.

Flipper Energy Comparison With Other Services

We do believe that it is possible to save money by comparing the rates of different energy suppliers. However, it is not an easy task to get the best deal without making a perfect comparison.

This is the area where switching companies like Flipper Energy serve the purpose. Indeed, Flipper is capable of analyzing a variety of deals that may suit a particular customer. By taking into account the switching fee it helps the customer to save some additional amount by choosing the right time to switch.

On the contrary, comparison sites like uSwitch, CompareTheMarket.com, GoCompare.com, Confused.com, and MoneySuperMarket.com, doesn’t provide you the in-depth information about the right time to switch and where to find the best deal.

For instance, uSwitch does savings calculation base on the assumptions. Flipper calculates such a saving by analyzing the billing data. Comparison sites allow you to switch only to limited suppliers who pay them a commission.

Hence, it’s not always guaranteed that you are getting the best deal. However, when you use Flipper, you will be sure that this site is not taking any type of commission from the energy suppliers.

Therefore, it only deals with those energy suppliers, who offer the lowest rates and best services.

From the above discussion, it is now clear that comparison companies are less functional when it comes to providing maximum benefit to their consumers.

So, Flipper Energy is a smart choice if you want to save a good amount out of your energy bills.

Conclusion on Flipper Energy Review

By taking into consideration all the information provided in this Flipper Energy review; one can easily ascertain that there is some degree of benefit associated with this switching site. The fact that flipper doesn’t accept any kind of commission from the energy suppliers, attracts the attention of various consumers.

In fact, this relates to customer satisfaction and reliability. If a company is giving equal opportunity to each of its consumers, this means the company is loyal to everyone.

Hence, saving isn’t just the only thing that connects a company with its customers.

Therefore, Flipper Energy considers almost every single aspect before actually flipping the energy supplier to get the best deal.

The algorithm used by Flipper is amazing and takes into account the factors that can enhance the saving on a longterm basis. It also makes the whole process easy to understand and handle.

With the help of smart meters, you can easily monitor the daily usage and curtail the usage to minimize your billing expenses.

To conclude, Flipper Energy is a reliable switching company, which helps the consumers to switch energy supplier and make some substantial savings.

However, it’s up to you to decide whether your usage is enough to pay the annual fee of Flipper Energy. If your saving is less than the annual fee of £30, there is no point in using Flipper Energy Switching Service.

What do you think of our Flipper Energy review? Let us know in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!

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