Power blackouts are a thing of the past for 74-year-old retirees Barb and Ray Hawkin.
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The Hawkins live on "Oakpark Farm" near Canowindra and enjoy cool days and nights and warmth in winter thanks to the installation of an Australian-first DIY solar powered air conditioning unit.
The unit complements the solar system which powers everything else in their home.
Retirees like Ray and Barb Hawken are often afraid to turn on their air conditioning due to sky-high energy prices and the threat of bill shock.
This means many senior Australians are sitting in uncomfortable temperatures to ensure financial stability. This can have dire consequences for the frail.
They have had a Solar AC/DC system for some time now and it has completely changed their life.
"I'd recommend it to anyone," Barb said.
Installed by Rob Miravet of Solar AC/DC the system used by Ray and Barb involves a ground breaking pairing of $10 second hand solar panels and a cutting-edge solar-powered air conditioning unit with the potential to save families $1-3,000 each year.
"Right now, there is an energy crisis in Australia, and we have to think ingeniously in order to save money, keep cool and save the environment," Mr Miravet said.
"Without a doubt, air conditioning is the biggest drain on your electricity bill, and this pairing could save families $1-3,000 each year," Mr Miravet said.
"This unit costs roughly the same as a traditional air-conditioner that is powered by expensive grid electricity," Mr Miravet said.
Solar panels also power their home appliances and tools used by Ray on the farm.
"There's no blackouts, no power bills," Ray said.
"I just run it like a normal house," Barb said.
In their 21st year on the property, Barb added "this was our last investment, it's something new, the old air conditioners took in too much power, we would have had to have heaps of panels.
"I've got seven panels (for this unit), but that is so we can heat in winter as well," Ray said.
"It's a brilliant thing, I just can't understand why more people don't put them in, the hotter the day the more (power) you are going to pull," Barb said.
Mr Miravet describes the DIY system as "a boon for people living off grid, or those living in regional Australia where the power supply is unstable and blackouts are common".
"For these people air conditioning is a pipe dream reserved for city folk where the grid is a lot more stable," he said.
"To get the same amount of oomph, they would need a battery system that would cost up to $30,000. Air conditioners drain enormous amounts of power and deplete these batteries leaving them with no power or causing their generators to kick. When these batteries are depleted regularly it significantly reduces their life, which is a very high hidden cost."
Ray goes on to explain the system, on power saver, uses "not much than a drill".
"Solar AC/DC Quick Connect is an Australian first," Mr Miravet said.
The affordability of the system is roughly the same as a traditional AC power unit, with prices starting at just $,2500 for a 3.5 kW unit or $2,900 for a 7 kW system.
"Once you acquire the air conditioning unit, all that's left is to purchase the solar panels and mounting unit," he said.