The wireless part can be installed post handover.
You can then link it with smart sensors and programming.
No need to really use the step down.
All or nothing. Controlled by the sensors and the wireless control.
I think from memory the wireless module with installation was around 550?
There's some security issues that are documented which is why it's possible.
Later on, get a tesla battery and solar to reduce long term costs of heating.
Agreed Yara.
Stick with base model and put the upgrade cost towards solar after handover, then the majority of your aircon cost is free anyway.
We paid for an extra zone- prob not worth it as the aircon runs at full pelt no matter how many zones you use. Extra controller def worth it. We had the wifi installed without asking. Is helpful when you want to stay in bed but turn it on, but you can use the timer instead.
We find our house is well insulated (without upgrading) and don’t run the aircon much. Our bills have been all around $550 per quarter (without solar). Can’t see how spending $5000 upgrading would pay off, at least not in less than a decade and not with everyone putting in solar anyway.
Just my 2 cents.
Just sharing another view for what and why we did.
My family of 6 - 2 adults, 2 teens and 2 primary aged kids upgraded to the ESP+ with 8 zones and individual room control (5br plus HT, upstairs and downstairs living areas). This was $10k and we trust that the AC Motor will run only what it needs to.
My current home has 3kw solar, AC and electric hot water, no gas and our electricity usage peaked at 62kw ($15.50) last Friday and this Monday with the AC heat on.
With out it we can use as little as 22kw ($4) but our last summer bill (April) showed a daily average of 42kw. ($9.50) per day!
We also installed 1.66kw BIPV Solar Roof tiles on the front of our house (west facing) which preserves the roofline and is not noticeable until I point it out.
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Once we get our savings back up (after all the landscaping costs inc driveway) we will add 8.28kw LG panels (24) and Enphase micro Inverters to our North roofline.
This will give us 9.94kw on the roof.
We are also adding a swimming pool and gas Hot water.
So without solar at all our bills would probably be close to $850 per quarter.
With solar this would be below $200. Effectively saving me $3k each year. Payback is circa 4years and this reduces the each time electricity prices increase.
Our saving would increase if we were home more during daylight!!!
It’s not cost effective to add batteries and whilst I consider myself an early adopter, I don’t see good ROI for another few years or battery integration.
Hope that helps someone!
Wow, love the calculation. I would like to do the same for mine in arriving to understand how much solar panel to add on afterwards. Agree on the battery, will likely be more attractive from a capacity and price point in a few more years but good to plan for it now.
Out of curiosity, seems like you don't have gas hot water now and is part of your plan later on when you do the extra solar panels. So did you go with an electric hot water tank with WH? I like to know more about this, shall I PM you?