May 2, 2025 • 35 mins
Solar power isn't just for sunny summer days—it's a year-round investment that transforms your roof into your personal power plant. Samuel Culhaci, a trusted expert from DNR Air Conditioning and Electrical, breaks down the surprising realities of solar energy that most salespeople won't tell you.
Did you know solar panels don't need direct sunlight to generate electricity? They work with photons in light, meaning even on cloudy days, you're still producing power. Sam clarifies that this is just one of many misconceptions as he shares his passion for helping homeowners make informed energy decisions.
The financial benefits are compelling: Residential solar systems typically pay themselves off in 3-7 years, with investment returns between 20-30%. For businesses that consume most of their energy during daylight hours, the payback period shrinks to just 2-5 years. Beyond the financial advantages, a typical home system offsets 7-8 tons of CO2 annually, equivalent to planting 300 trees every year.
Battery technology has transformed the solar landscape, allowing homeowners to store excess daytime production for evening use. With NSW government rebates of $1,600-$2,500 available for battery installations, plus additional earnings from connecting to virtual power plants, the economy becomes even more attractive. During recent storms when some areas lost power for days, DNR customers with battery systems barely noticed the outage.
The most crucial factor in achieving these benefits is working with knowledgeable, reputable installers who understand your needs. As Sam emphasises, "Solar is not just a product—it's a power plant to secure your energy future." Cheap systems with poor installation underperform and pose serious safety risks. With 16 years of service to the Lake Macquarie community, DNR provides the expertise and ongoing support to ensure your investment delivers lasting value.
Ready to take control of your energy future? Visit dnraircon.com to learn how solar can work for your specific situation.
Thank you for listening!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Leon Goltsman (00:00):
Hello and welcome back to another episode of
Engaging Conversations.
I'm your host, leon Goltsman,and today's a very special one.
You know why?
Because it's episode 27, and 27happens to be my lucky number.
But also, you never know,because after today it might
just very well become your luckynumber too.
(00:20):
What better way to celebratethan talking about saving money,
boosting efficiency andbringing year-round comfort to
your home?
This episode is proudlysupported by Niaz Cannoth and
the team at Invest Intelligence,committed to ethical practices
and empowering local andregional communities to grow
(00:41):
stronger and more sustainable.
Joining me today is SamuelCulhaci, a trusted expert in air
conditioning and solar energy.
With years of hands-onexperience at DNR Air
Conditioning and Electrical, sambrings not only deep technical
knowledge, but also a genuinepassion for helping families and
businesses make smarter energychoices.
(01:02):
Dni has proudly built areputation over more than 16
years serving families andbusinesses across Lake Macquarie
, the Central Coast, the greaterNewcastle region and
surrounding communities,delivering real service, genuine
accountability and lastingpeace of mind.
Just a quick note before we divein.
(01:24):
The insights shared today arebased on Sam's professional
experience.
Always seek independent advicebefore making decisions, as
neither Ecolibrium headquarters,myself nor our sponsors take
responsibility for individualoutcomes.
With that out of the way,you're going to want to hear
what's next, because Sam revealswhy solar isn't just for hot,
(01:46):
sunny days, how you could besaving money even in winter, and
the costly mistakes people makewhen they rush into the wrong
systems without the right advice.
So, without further ado, let'sget into it.
Samuel Culhaci (01:58):
Hi, my name is Samuel Kalachi.
I'm an industry professional,primarily started with air
conditioning but moved over tosolar, especially locally.
So helping our locals not onlyunderstand how solar can benefit
them or help them in terms oftheir energy savings, we make
(02:23):
sure they've got the rightinformation so they can make the
correct decision that's goingto work best for them.
So, yeah, I work with a localcompany here DNR Air
Conditioning, electrical andwe've been in the industry for
16 years now helping our locals.
So, yeah, that's basically ashort version of what I do here
(02:44):
in Morissette.
So it's located on LakeMacquarie, halfway between
Gosford and Newcastle Mostpeople would know that or the
central coast in Newcastle.
It's really a growing communityhere with lots of existing
locals, but we're seeing a lotof families moving into the area
(03:05):
, especially those coming out ofSydney, realising the the
benefits of living in a placelike Morissette, where we have
all this local community and anatural lake and all the events
that go along up in Newcastle aswell, and close to the Hunter
Valley, which is another greatlocation, only half an hour away
(03:26):
, and we're close to all thebeaches at the central coast as
well.
So it's a really upcoming,great place to live with your
families.
Leon Goltsman (03:36):
It's fair to say that if anyone understands air
conditioners and solar, that'sdefinitely got to be you well,
yeah, certainly there's a lot ofindustry professionals out
there, but yeah, I've primarilyfocused on solar.
Samuel Culhaci (03:50):
The last four to five years started off with,
you know, wanting solar for myown property and it got so
confusing with all theinformation and marketing out
there and the more training Idid on it and development and we
realised that the communityneeded the right information,
(04:12):
not just commercial marketersand TV ads that most people buy
from.
So, yeah, it's certainly been agrowing advantage to me
personally, understanding thatand, coming from an electrical
background electronics I grew upas a young boy with Dick Smith
(04:33):
getting their little kits and Iremember a time when we had a
little FM bug you could buy.
But yeah, that's got me startedin the industry, understanding
how electronics works and thefun of it and and the creativity
of it, and I've applied allthat learning to really
understanding solar and how thatcan reduce our energy costs and
(04:57):
it's, you know, giving agreener future for all of us and
it's interesting to see howmany people actually sell solar.
Leon Goltsman (05:06):
But when you sit them down or when you ask
questions, what they say andwhat they actually know aren't
always in sync.
Samuel Culhaci (05:14):
No, definitely not.
There's a lot of marketingjargons out there and you'll see
a lot of sales people justmention all these marketing
terms or figures that thecustomer has no idea and can
kind of confuse them and don'treally understand what they but.
Leon Goltsman (05:31):
Solar is pretty simple well, many people see
solar power as just an upfrontcost, but in reality we know
that it's a long-term investmentthat can provide financial
savings over time.
Samuel Culhaci (05:42):
Yeah, look, many people do see solar as an
upfront cost, but really, as youmentioned, it is a long-term
investment and it can make greatinvestment returns.
You know in between 20% to 30%from our homeowners that we see
it, and it significantly reducesand eliminates their power bill
(06:05):
in some cases, but also forbusiness as well, it can totally
offset their daytime energycosts.
Payback periods depend onseveral factors, such as the
system size, the energy usage,the government incentives and
typically, residential systemspay for themselves within three
(06:28):
to seven years, whereascommercial setups, because they
consume more energy during theday, can pay back between two to
five years.
And here at dna airconditioning, electrical we help
homeowners and businessesmaximise their returns by
designing the system that'sreally tailored to their
(06:49):
specific need.
The system has to be able tocope with the demands and when
the energy is used, plus, withthe government rebates and
financial options that we havetoday.
Ongoing solar has never beenmore accessible, and we also
help homeowners find their thebest energy provider, because
(07:12):
plans vary so much, as you know.
So, getting back, you knowtheir feed-in tariffs at the
best price and also what theenergy costs are.
Leon Goltsman (07:20):
So, yeah, we, we help with all that so that kind
of takes me to my next question.
Aside from financial savings,many homeowners and businesses
are drawn to solar because ofits environmental benefits.
How does integrating solarpanels into properties
contribute to sustainability?
Samuel Culhaci (07:41):
Well, there's a big saving for sustainability.
It reduces the property'scarbon footprint, for instance.
So not burning that coal to getthat energy.
We get that free energy fromthe sun.
And in Australia, like atypical 6.6 kilowatt residential
solar system can offset between7 to 8 tons of CO2 per year.
(08:07):
So that's like planting 300trees, for instance, annually.
And for businesses the impactis even greater, cutting
thousands of tons of emissionsover the system's lifespan.
And plus, solar reduces thestrain on the power electricity
grid, making energy productioncleaner and more sustainable
(08:29):
over that period.
Leon Goltsman (08:31):
So you did mention households and
businesses can vary.
What are the primarydifferences in designing solar
energy systems for homescompared to commercial
establishments?
Samuel Culhaci (08:41):
Well, the key difference here is the energy
usage patterns so homestypically use more energy is the
energy usage patterns.
So homes typically use moreenergy in the mornings and
evenings as the family's gettingup and getting ready for school
or work, and then when theyreturn in the evenings that
usage kind of peaks at that time, whereas businesses their peak
(09:02):
is during the daytime.
So that's why solar forbusiness is such a great idea.
But for homes we aim for asystem that really maximizes
self-consumption.
So what that means is, if thesolar system's producing you
know five kilowatts during thattime that they they use that.
(09:23):
So whatever they use, that'sdirectly from their system, free
.
They're not relying on the gridto come over and ensuring that
the solar power is used moreefficiently as possible.
And batteries can also helpstore excess energy for their
nighttime use.
So where it's appropriate, wewill design a system for the
(09:46):
household if their most usage isin the evening time, so not to
just send that power, free power, to the grid, but they can
store it in their battery anduse it at night time.
And for businesses, the goal isto offset their peak daytime
consumption and that reducestheir the demand on their
(10:07):
charges as well, and this meanslarger systems for businesses,
but sometimes commercial scalesof batteries are appropriate as
well.
So we look at that and so at.
Here at DNR Air ConditioningElectrical, we design custom
solutions to ensure both thehomes and businesses get the
(10:27):
best possible saving andefficiency from their solar
system.
Leon Goltsman (10:32):
So that's why it's really important to have
somebody designing who actuallyknows what they're talking about
, rather than just getting onthe internet, for example, or on
social media that bombards youwith ads it, for example, or on
social media that bombards youwith ads.
Samuel Culhaci (10:50):
Yeah, exactly right, because you know there's
not one size fits all.
It's every household uses thereis different, every family's
different.
So really understanding thatfirst, and then giving them the
product that's going to work forthem that's so important and
rather than just buying whateveris on on offer at the cheapest
rate and, of course, um, whenyou, when you deal with a local
(11:13):
business, you're helping local,local businesses and and your
immediate community as wellexactly and the benefit of that
is and what we're finding in theindustry.
A lot of people will go forthose offers but they don't have
this ongoing support Becausewe're here locally, where you
know if there is an issue, wenormally know beforehand because
(11:35):
we monitor those systems.
But also our team is here toreally to help as soon as
possible.
As soon as possible.
So we're not travelling down toSydney or somewhere else, we're
just travelling to our localsand supporting that and keeping
that close-knit community thatwe have here at Morrison Lake,
Macquarie, is so importantbecause you have that community
(11:59):
feeling and you know that you'rebeing looked after and cared
for.
Leon Goltsman (12:03):
And, as you said, proximity is important.
So on the way home, you canpossibly even pop into a job
that you've recently done orhelp someone along the way,
which I suppose when you'rebuying online, you don't know
where it's coming from andwhether there are real people
who actually can do somethinglike that.
Samuel Culhaci (12:20):
Yeah, exactly, and we see that all the time.
And because we're not justdoing solar, we look after air
conditioning and electrical, sowe often have the same customer.
If they have an issue, we helpthem with that.
So we've got a wide variety ofthings that we can help our
customers with.
And yeah, they feel likethey're part of the DNR family
(12:42):
and yeah, they feel like they'repart of the DNR family and it's
great.
Leon Goltsman (12:45):
It's great to have local businesses like DNR
in the community doing so,because it's not just an
overnight.
Dnr has been around for.
Samuel Culhaci (12:53):
It's 16 years, so in April we're at our 16th
year in operations and the samefamilies that started it are
still here working in thecompany.
And, of course, we're a widevariety of electricians and
technicians that continue tosupport the team and work
(13:16):
together in helping thecommunity.
Leon Goltsman (13:18):
And that's another reason why it's
worthwhile going with areputable company like DNR.
You know that when you'redealing with a local company,
they're not just going to serveyou, take your money and run.
They're going to be around fora very long time.
Samuel Culhaci (13:32):
Yeah, exactly, and you know you can have all
the warranties promised to you,but if that company is no longer
around, well, there's no one tolook after that.
So yeah, we give between fiveto ten years depending on the
products we sell and in ourinstallation warranties, and
also we help with themanufacturing warranties.
(13:53):
Something goes wrong with theactual product.
We help the customer processall of that to be able to have a
repair or replacement done onthose systems.
Leon Goltsman (14:04):
You certainly hold a big market share here in
Lake Macquarie, so when yourcustomers deal with you they
know that it's a company that'sgoing to be very well respected
in the industry.
Samuel Culhaci (14:15):
Yeah, that's correct, and that's again a very
important thing for you knowcommunity to know that we're not
just here for the short term,we're here to support them.
We're not just here for theshort term, we're here to
support them.
We're not just selling them aone-off product, we're giving
them a system that's going to beongoing and we're responsible
(14:35):
for that as well.
So, yeah, they can buy withconfidence, knowing that we're
going to be looking after theirlong-term needs.
Leon Goltsman (14:46):
We know that air conditioning and solar people
think, oh look, I'm not going toget an air conditioner because
summer's over, or they mightturn around and say, well, hang
on a sec.
Do we really need solar becausewe're about to approach winter
months?
Samuel Culhaci (15:03):
What would you say to that?
So, yeah, look, with airconditioning, for instance,
because they're reverse cycle,we find our customers are using
it year round.
It's always in use and duringthose times when you know it's
not being used, that's a greattime to have a service done on
them, which we find we're doinga lot of that.
Living in Australia, in NewSouth wales, we have sun almost
(15:26):
every day, and what people don'trealize is that solar panels
don't need direct sunlight onlybecause it's, uh, what they call
a photo voltaic system, so itrelies on the photons in the
light, so we can have a cloudyday like today, but your solar
system is still producing powerand and you can see that.
(15:49):
So with our systems, you willhave an app that you can
actually see what it's producingand it's great.
We find a lot of customersexcited when they see it and
saying, well, it's not sunny,but I'm look, I'm still
producing quite a good amount ofpower.
So, yeah, it's all year round.
It's something that can be usedand benefit our local customers
(16:12):
365 days a year.
Leon Goltsman (16:15):
Yeah, see, that's the sort of information that a
lot of people were not aware of.
You mentioned you touched onpeople, obviously moving up to
Lake Macquarie from the city.
So my question to you, sam, ishow do urban and regional
settings impact solar energyperformance and design?
Samuel Culhaci (16:32):
Well, there's a big difference because, like in
cities like Sydney, the rooftopsare smaller and they get more
shaded because of the condensedbuildings, the nearby buildings.
That really impacts the solaroutput.
But in urban areas, especiallyin the new development places
(16:53):
we're getting in here inMorissette, coorambong area,
even in our region, we're seeinga lot more space on the roof,
more affordable as well, andthese roof spaces have fewer
shade issues.
So, you see, from the morningto the evening you get that full
(17:16):
sunlight, which means a higheroutput for the solar and many
also regional areas have gridlimitations that restrict how
much solar energy can beexported.
But these regions that's wherebattery comes in to play and
we're seeing that it's becomingmore and more popular and it
(17:40):
sounds complicated, but reallysolar and battery is not that
complicated and we will reallyhelp you navigate through all
those difficulties that youperceive and show you that it's
quite simple and how it allworks and the benefits that you
get from the day of the installyou know you're saving starts
(18:02):
right away.
Leon Goltsman (18:03):
It is good to have somebody who at least knows
what they're talking about.
Less stress on the person who'smaking the decision.
Samuel Culhaci (18:10):
Yeah, exactly To be informed correctly.
We make decisions every day,don't we?
But you make decisions on theknowledge that you have.
So, unfortunately, these daysthere's a lot of misconceptions
out there and you get a lot ofinformation from people you
(18:32):
don't know who they are.
So, getting that rightinformation, then you can decide
well, what is the best thingfor me?
And that's how we do it.
We will help you make thosedecisions, we give you those
options and then you decide as acustomer.
We don't force to pressuresomebody to buy something.
(18:54):
We will make sure they have theright information for their
needs and then they can decidewhich way they want to go.
Leon Goltsman (19:02):
And that's all part of making a sensible choice
.
Samuel Culhaci (19:04):
That's right.
Yeah, sensible choice, exactlythe way you put it.
And we we have to make sensiblechoices, but to do that you've
got to have the rightinformation.
Leon Goltsman (19:14):
And speaking of the right information,
installing solar can be veryexciting, but some people can
make costly mistakes.
What are the type of thingsthey should be avoiding?
Samuel Culhaci (19:24):
what are the type of things they should be
avoiding?
Well, the most mistake peopledo is buying the cheapest system
that they can find with lowquality components.
So either buying from theadvertising they see on TV or
from celebrities spruikingcertain products and companies.
(19:46):
But even worse than that isbuying from someone that comes
and knocks on your door, becauseyou know all systems are not
the same and, like I said, theyhave to be tailored.
They have to really understandthe way your energy needs are,
and buying that way it may seemcheap at first, but we're
finding that they often have topay twice because that system is
(20:10):
not adequate enough.
It wasn't the right design forthem.
It was a poor installation froma company that's come from a
town that we don't know about,who they are, we don't know what
they've done, how they've doneit, because solar is not just a
product, it's a power plant.
You're producing power, sogovernment doesn't design or a
(20:36):
company doesn't design a powerplant just because it's cheap.
It's got to be designedcorrectly and engineered right
for the needs of the community.
And that's the same with solar.
It's got to be designed rightand installed correctly to have
that long-term savings and usageand the safety as well, and
that's a big factor.
(20:56):
You know as long as you hearabout solar causing fire, but
it's not because of the product,it's because of the way it was
installed.
So getting the right company todo that is so important.
And also that way you knowyou've got the right size as
well, because you can beadvertised a certain product.
But is that the right fit foryou?
(21:17):
Is that the right size systemfor you is going to produce
enough energy when you need it?
Or it may be even too too largefor your needs.
So you really got to look atthe information or have the
right information, and that'swhy at DNR Air Conditioning and
Electrical, like I said, we'veserved in the community for 16
years now and we ensure thatevery installation is done right
(21:39):
the first time and using thehigh-quality installation
components, because we're goingon people's roofs, in their
ceilings, in their homes.
It's their castle, it's theirplace, so we need to treat it
that way and we treat eachinstallation as if it's our own
(21:59):
or we're installing for ourgrandparents, making sure
everything is right before weleave, and that way we can give
those warranties.
Sometimes things don't go right100% of the time.
Well, we make sure it getsrectified and we're there.
We don't just leave thecustomer because we've got their
(22:21):
payment and see you later.
No, we make sure everything isdone correctly and we look after
our community.
Leon Goltsman (22:28):
Well, that's the secret of any company.
Success is a company who takesaccountability and
responsibility for their work.
Samuel Culhaci (22:36):
Yeah, exactly, and that's why we take pride in
what we do.
And to do that is, you know,you've got to really understand
your consumer, understand yourcustomer, understand your
products and make sure they fitright together.
And yeah, that's why we havethat pride and and try to help
(22:58):
as best we can with with ourcustomers.
Leon Goltsman (23:02):
So we've covered the people who are installing
for the first time.
How about people who alreadyhave existing solar systems?
Samuel Culhaci (23:09):
Well, yeah, look , some people got into the
install their systems, probably10, 12.
We've had some systems thathave been there for probably 15
years.
So what they might be missingout on is the new efficient
technology, because technologyhas changed very rapidly within
(23:30):
you know.
Within two years we almost haveanother step in our technology,
and that's no different tosolar.
It's actually grown faster thanthat.
So something that may haveworked for them five to ten
years ago is no longer adequateenough.
It may be too small.
Energy uses have gone up in thehome.
They can now upgrade.
(23:53):
And what most people don'trealise is the government
incentives still apply if youupgrade your system.
So they don't miss out on that.
It's not a one-time incentive.
They can still claim their,their stcs.
There's small scalecertificates, which offsets the
cost of that.
(24:14):
The other benefit is is theolder panels didn't cope with
shading or the direction of thesunlight as much where the newer
designs do.
That they have what they call abypass diode.
There's three bypass diodeswithin the panel, so if part of
the panel gets shaded, itbypasses, as the name suggests,
(24:36):
so it doesn't affect the rest ofthe panel or the rest of the
panels within that system.
So it's a great advantage.
And also, when we started out,I think the panel sizes were
about 150 watts.
Now we're going for residentialbetween 450 to 480 watts a
(24:57):
panel and anywhere up to about600 watts on a commercial panel,
so you have less footprint onyour roof, producing more power.
So, yeah, it's a great benefitfor those that may have an older
system maybe breaking down.
Also, you can't find the partsanymore to those old systems
(25:19):
that were out there.
And, of course, addingbatteries now is a big benefit
too.
Leon Goltsman (25:25):
You mentioned batteries.
The question is is it reallyworth it?
I mean battery storage.
From what I'm hearing from ourconversation here, battery
storage does help maximise solarbenefits, but really is it
worth the investment?
Samuel Culhaci (25:40):
Definitely.
You know, batteries let youstore the excess solar,
especially for those familiesthat may not be at home during
the day and, like we mentionedearlier, they use their power
early in the morning or later inthe evening.
That can really take benefit oftheir solar system, so it
stores their energy for whenthey need it.
(26:01):
And it's useful also if you'rein areas where there's blackouts
and we're getting more and moreof those or we have a storm.
You know we had a storm herenot long ago and some areas in
morrisette lost power for two,three, four days.
But our customers that hadbatteries well, they they kept
(26:23):
on going, um, they didn't evenrealize sometimes there was a
blackout and the other.
The other incentive is thatthere's government in new south
wales new south wales residents.
The government offers a batteryrebate between 1600 to two to
two and a half thousand dollars,uh, contributing towards the
battery, and that started backin November 2024.
(26:45):
So making storage even moreaffordable for those customers.
And they can also earn an extra$250 to $400 by connecting to a
virtual power plant.
What that means is the excesspower.
If the system needs it, theycan grab it from your battery as
well, which helps stabilize thesystem.
(27:07):
And here at dna conditioningelectrical we help customers
navigate these rebates, choosingthe best battery system for
their needs as well.
This is a lot of differentbattery brands out there and you
just and you don't want tocompromise when you're buying a
battery, you don't want to betoo small and you also want to
(27:29):
make sure that you get the fullbenefit of that battery.
So having a backup gateway so alot of batteries are just sold
without that.
But every system we put in, youmake sure that you do have that
backup, and not only that you.
We have what we call a blackstart.
So what that means is if yourpower goes out, your battery
(27:49):
takes over, but if that batteryis depleted, that's it.
Your power is dead.
But with the systems we use,when the sun comes back up, it
recharges your battery.
So you can have that ongoingsystem.
And we've also teamed up withAmber Electrical.
They're an energy wholesaler soyou can buy power at the same
(28:11):
price as the retailers do, likeEnergy Australia, agl Origin.
So we can help you with settingthat up as well, especially
with those that have batteries.
It's such a big saving for themand, yeah, we help those, help
those customers again make surethey've got the right plan and
the right system for themselvesso we know that not all solar
(28:33):
providers are the same.
Leon Goltsman (28:34):
Well, what should people look for?
Samuel Culhaci (28:36):
well, just like with anything, any product they
want to buy.
You know, look for a company, areputable company.
And with solar, you know we'vegot a clean energy council, so
all installers have to beaccredited by them.
So they need to check.
Also, customer reviews You'vegot to be careful with the
(28:59):
reviews as well.
We're going to make sure theyare right reviews and make sure
the quality of the productsthey're using.
And with dnr, look, we're herein morrisette so you can even
pop in and see us.
We've got a physical officewith the products.
There you can talk to us.
(29:19):
We're real people.
We're not, you know, a callcentre somewhere, maybe not even
in Australia, trying to make asale.
So we have that ongoing support.
So for the last 16 years we'vehad that reputation Reliable air
conditioning, electrical, solarinstallations and that ongoing
support to make sure ourcustomers get the most from
(29:42):
their investment.
So really, just do yourresearch and not be taken up by
the marketing jargon that's outthere.
Leon Goltsman (29:51):
And so, sam, what is the number that people could
call or website they can visitto get in touch?
Samuel Culhaci (29:56):
It's.
Dnrairconcom is the website,and from there you can get all
our contact details, and that'sthe best way to contact us.
Or to just come down to 30Gateway Boulevard, morissette,
and you can talk to any of usthere, whatever your needs are,
(30:17):
and, yeah, go from there.
Leon Goltsman (30:18):
I will include all that in the show notes, and
we have covered a lot today.
So for someone still on thefence about going solar, what
would you say to them?
Samuel Culhaci (30:27):
well, I'd say, start by doing your research.
And solar isn't just aboutsavings, it's about taking
control of your energy futureand viewing it as a a power
plant.
It's not just a, a product, anappliance you're buying.
It's a power plant to secureyour energy future for your you
(30:49):
and your family.
And here at dna ignitionelectrical we offer
consultations to help peopleunderstand their options and
make informed decisions.
Even if you're not ready now ortoday, knowing your options
puts a better position for yourfuture.
So, yeah, contact us, come andtalk to us, ask the questions
(31:14):
Every question is valid andwe'll help you navigate the
marketing terms that's out thereand make sure that you're
buying and you have theconfidence that you're going to
get that support for your rightair conditioning, electrical,
solar needs.
Leon Goltsman (31:30):
And, of course, this technology is going to be
used for families, for theirchildren, for their loved ones,
but also an investment, not justa short-term investment, but
one that is a very importantpart of their life.
Samuel Culhaci (31:45):
Yeah, certainly, and it is very important part
of their life.
Yeah, certainly, and it it isan important part of a life.
We use energy every day.
You know, in everything we do.
From our young ones, you know,we'll have a energy product in
their hand from when they wereborn to our older ones.
We're seeing our older ones,you know, using tablets and
computers and and all sorts ofgadgets these days.
(32:07):
So the demand and energy isgrowing and and continuing to
grow.
So we have to be really wiseabout our choices on how we're
going to adapt to that change,and we've seen that we're going
from fossil fuels to moregreener fuels and solar is
(32:28):
certainly one of them.
There's a lot of other optionsout there that's being
considered at the moment in theindustry, but what has worked
and is continuing to work issolar and every household can
have their own power plant intheir home and they can be
independent.
(32:48):
With those with installedbatteries and it's designed
correctly, they can be totallyoff-grid.
So we do a lot of off-gridsystems in the area as well, in
Morrison and the surroundingareas.
So, yeah, if you have anoff-grid need, we can help you
with that as well.
But, yeah, certainly, solar isthe future sam, thank you very
(33:08):
much.
Leon Goltsman (33:09):
Glad to be part of that future and I appreciate
having the future here talkingto me thank you, leon.
Samuel Culhaci (33:15):
It's been a pleasure to really help you and
your listeners understand howenergy and solar energy works
and what they can do to be partof that.
Leon Goltsman (33:27):
And that's a wrap .
And with that we covered a lotof ground today, from
understanding how solar worksyear round to the real financial
benefits of investing in theright system and, most
importantly, the criticaldifferences that expert advice
can make and long-term support.
And that's exactly why Sam andthe team at DNR Air Conditioning
and Electrical are, without adoubt, the sensible choice.
(33:50):
If you're thinking about solarupgrading your system or just
want honest advice, reach out toSam and the team at DNR.
You'll be supported by realpeople with real solutions who
are genuinely invested in thecommunity.
And speaking of supporting eachother, next week I'm sitting
down with David Martin from SRUCommunity Hub.
(34:12):
David is the inspiring leaderbehind Sons of the Phoenix, a
transformative movement that'screating safe spaces for men
facing relationship breakdowns,mental health struggles,
loneliness and more.
In a world where too manysuffer in silence.
Sons of the Phoenix reminds usyou are not alone.
It's a conversation full ofhope, strength and the power of
(34:34):
community, and it's aconversation that could make a
real difference for you orsomeone you care about.
If you enjoyed today's episodeor have any feedback, I'd love
to hear from you.
Drop me an email at leon atekohqcomau.
Your feedback helps us grow andensures we're delivering
conversations that matter.
(34:55):
And, of course, I'd love you tofollow, share and tell your
network about engagingconversations.
Let's continue building acommunity of forward thinking
Australians, one meaningfulconversation at a time.
I'm Leon Goltsman and untilnext time, stay engaged, stay
connected and let's keep makinga difference together.
Hello and welcome back to another episode of
Engaging Conversations.
I'm your host, leon Goltsman,and today's a very special one.
You know why?
Because it's episode 27, and 27happens to be my lucky number.
But also, you never know,because after today it might
just very well become your luckynumber too.
(00:20):
What better way to celebratethan talking about saving money,
boosting efficiency andbringing year-round comfort to
your home?
This episode is proudlysupported by Niaz Cannoth and
the team at Invest Intelligence,committed to ethical practices
and empowering local andregional communities to grow
(00:41):
stronger and more sustainable.
Joining me today is SamuelCulhaci, a trusted expert in air
conditioning and solar energy.
With years of hands-onexperience at DNR Air
Conditioning and Electrical, sambrings not only deep technical
knowledge, but also a genuinepassion for helping families and
businesses make smarter energychoices.
(01:02):
Dni has proudly built areputation over more than 16
years serving families andbusinesses across Lake Macquarie
, the Central Coast, the greaterNewcastle region and
surrounding communities,delivering real service, genuine
accountability and lastingpeace of mind.
Just a quick note before we divein.
(01:24):
The insights shared today arebased on Sam's professional
experience.
Always seek independent advicebefore making decisions, as
neither Ecolibrium headquarters,myself nor our sponsors take
responsibility for individualoutcomes.
With that out of the way,you're going to want to hear
what's next, because Sam revealswhy solar isn't just for hot,
(01:46):
sunny days, how you could besaving money even in winter, and
the costly mistakes people makewhen they rush into the wrong
systems without the right advice.
So, without further ado, let'sget into it.
Samuel Culhaci (01:58):
Hi, my name is Samuel Kalachi.
I'm an industry professional,primarily started with air
conditioning but moved over tosolar, especially locally.
So helping our locals not onlyunderstand how solar can benefit
them or help them in terms oftheir energy savings, we make
(02:23):
sure they've got the rightinformation so they can make the
correct decision that's goingto work best for them.
So, yeah, I work with a localcompany here DNR Air
Conditioning, electrical andwe've been in the industry for
16 years now helping our locals.
So, yeah, that's basically ashort version of what I do here
(02:44):
in Morissette.
So it's located on LakeMacquarie, halfway between
Gosford and Newcastle Mostpeople would know that or the
central coast in Newcastle.
It's really a growing communityhere with lots of existing
locals, but we're seeing a lotof families moving into the area
(03:05):
, especially those coming out ofSydney, realising the the
benefits of living in a placelike Morissette, where we have
all this local community and anatural lake and all the events
that go along up in Newcastle aswell, and close to the Hunter
Valley, which is another greatlocation, only half an hour away
(03:26):
, and we're close to all thebeaches at the central coast as
well.
So it's a really upcoming,great place to live with your
families.
Leon Goltsman (03:36):
It's fair to say that if anyone understands air
conditioners and solar, that'sdefinitely got to be you well,
yeah, certainly there's a lot ofindustry professionals out
there, but yeah, I've primarilyfocused on solar.
Samuel Culhaci (03:50):
The last four to five years started off with,
you know, wanting solar for myown property and it got so
confusing with all theinformation and marketing out
there and the more training Idid on it and development and we
realised that the communityneeded the right information,
(04:12):
not just commercial marketersand TV ads that most people buy
from.
So, yeah, it's certainly been agrowing advantage to me
personally, understanding thatand, coming from an electrical
background electronics I grew upas a young boy with Dick Smith
(04:33):
getting their little kits and Iremember a time when we had a
little FM bug you could buy.
But yeah, that's got me startedin the industry, understanding
how electronics works and thefun of it and and the creativity
of it, and I've applied allthat learning to really
understanding solar and how thatcan reduce our energy costs and
(04:57):
it's, you know, giving agreener future for all of us and
it's interesting to see howmany people actually sell solar.
Leon Goltsman (05:06):
But when you sit them down or when you ask
questions, what they say andwhat they actually know aren't
always in sync.
Samuel Culhaci (05:14):
No, definitely not.
There's a lot of marketingjargons out there and you'll see
a lot of sales people justmention all these marketing
terms or figures that thecustomer has no idea and can
kind of confuse them and don'treally understand what they but.
Leon Goltsman (05:31):
Solar is pretty simple well, many people see
solar power as just an upfrontcost, but in reality we know
that it's a long-term investmentthat can provide financial
savings over time.
Samuel Culhaci (05:42):
Yeah, look, many people do see solar as an
upfront cost, but really, as youmentioned, it is a long-term
investment and it can make greatinvestment returns.
You know in between 20% to 30%from our homeowners that we see
it, and it significantly reducesand eliminates their power bill
(06:05):
in some cases, but also forbusiness as well, it can totally
offset their daytime energycosts.
Payback periods depend onseveral factors, such as the
system size, the energy usage,the government incentives and
typically, residential systemspay for themselves within three
(06:28):
to seven years, whereascommercial setups, because they
consume more energy during theday, can pay back between two to
five years.
And here at dna airconditioning, electrical we help
homeowners and businessesmaximise their returns by
designing the system that'sreally tailored to their
(06:49):
specific need.
The system has to be able tocope with the demands and when
the energy is used, plus, withthe government rebates and
financial options that we havetoday.
Ongoing solar has never beenmore accessible, and we also
help homeowners find their thebest energy provider, because
(07:12):
plans vary so much, as you know.
So, getting back, you knowtheir feed-in tariffs at the
best price and also what theenergy costs are.
Leon Goltsman (07:20):
So, yeah, we, we help with all that so that kind
of takes me to my next question.
Aside from financial savings,many homeowners and businesses
are drawn to solar because ofits environmental benefits.
How does integrating solarpanels into properties
contribute to sustainability?
Samuel Culhaci (07:41):
Well, there's a big saving for sustainability.
It reduces the property'scarbon footprint, for instance.
So not burning that coal to getthat energy.
We get that free energy fromthe sun.
And in Australia, like atypical 6.6 kilowatt residential
solar system can offset between7 to 8 tons of CO2 per year.
(08:07):
So that's like planting 300trees, for instance, annually.
And for businesses the impactis even greater, cutting
thousands of tons of emissionsover the system's lifespan.
And plus, solar reduces thestrain on the power electricity
grid, making energy productioncleaner and more sustainable
(08:29):
over that period.
Leon Goltsman (08:31):
So you did mention households and
businesses can vary.
What are the primarydifferences in designing solar
energy systems for homescompared to commercial
establishments?
Samuel Culhaci (08:41):
Well, the key difference here is the energy
usage patterns so homestypically use more energy is the
energy usage patterns.
So homes typically use moreenergy in the mornings and
evenings as the family's gettingup and getting ready for school
or work, and then when theyreturn in the evenings that
usage kind of peaks at that time, whereas businesses their peak
(09:02):
is during the daytime.
So that's why solar forbusiness is such a great idea.
But for homes we aim for asystem that really maximizes
self-consumption.
So what that means is, if thesolar system's producing you
know five kilowatts during thattime that they they use that.
(09:23):
So whatever they use, that'sdirectly from their system, free
.
They're not relying on the gridto come over and ensuring that
the solar power is used moreefficiently as possible.
And batteries can also helpstore excess energy for their
nighttime use.
So where it's appropriate, wewill design a system for the
(09:46):
household if their most usage isin the evening time, so not to
just send that power, free power, to the grid, but they can
store it in their battery anduse it at night time.
And for businesses, the goal isto offset their peak daytime
consumption and that reducestheir the demand on their
(10:07):
charges as well, and this meanslarger systems for businesses,
but sometimes commercial scalesof batteries are appropriate as
well.
So we look at that and so at.
Here at DNR Air ConditioningElectrical, we design custom
solutions to ensure both thehomes and businesses get the
(10:27):
best possible saving andefficiency from their solar
system.
Leon Goltsman (10:32):
So that's why it's really important to have
somebody designing who actuallyknows what they're talking about
, rather than just getting onthe internet, for example, or on
social media that bombards youwith ads it, for example, or on
social media that bombards youwith ads.
Samuel Culhaci (10:50):
Yeah, exactly right, because you know there's
not one size fits all.
It's every household uses thereis different, every family's
different.
So really understanding thatfirst, and then giving them the
product that's going to work forthem that's so important and
rather than just buying whateveris on on offer at the cheapest
rate and, of course, um, whenyou, when you deal with a local
(11:13):
business, you're helping local,local businesses and and your
immediate community as wellexactly and the benefit of that
is and what we're finding in theindustry.
A lot of people will go forthose offers but they don't have
this ongoing support Becausewe're here locally, where you
know if there is an issue, wenormally know beforehand because
(11:35):
we monitor those systems.
But also our team is here toreally to help as soon as
possible.
As soon as possible.
So we're not travelling down toSydney or somewhere else, we're
just travelling to our localsand supporting that and keeping
that close-knit community thatwe have here at Morrison Lake,
Macquarie, is so importantbecause you have that community
(11:59):
feeling and you know that you'rebeing looked after and cared
for.
Leon Goltsman (12:03):
And, as you said, proximity is important.
So on the way home, you canpossibly even pop into a job
that you've recently done orhelp someone along the way,
which I suppose when you'rebuying online, you don't know
where it's coming from andwhether there are real people
who actually can do somethinglike that.
Samuel Culhaci (12:20):
Yeah, exactly, and we see that all the time.
And because we're not justdoing solar, we look after air
conditioning and electrical, sowe often have the same customer.
If they have an issue, we helpthem with that.
So we've got a wide variety ofthings that we can help our
customers with.
And yeah, they feel likethey're part of the DNR family
(12:42):
and yeah, they feel like they'repart of the DNR family and it's
great.
Leon Goltsman (12:45):
It's great to have local businesses like DNR
in the community doing so,because it's not just an
overnight.
Dnr has been around for.
Samuel Culhaci (12:53):
It's 16 years, so in April we're at our 16th
year in operations and the samefamilies that started it are
still here working in thecompany.
And, of course, we're a widevariety of electricians and
technicians that continue tosupport the team and work
(13:16):
together in helping thecommunity.
Leon Goltsman (13:18):
And that's another reason why it's
worthwhile going with areputable company like DNR.
You know that when you'redealing with a local company,
they're not just going to serveyou, take your money and run.
They're going to be around fora very long time.
Samuel Culhaci (13:32):
Yeah, exactly, and you know you can have all
the warranties promised to you,but if that company is no longer
around, well, there's no one tolook after that.
So yeah, we give between fiveto ten years depending on the
products we sell and in ourinstallation warranties, and
also we help with themanufacturing warranties.
(13:53):
Something goes wrong with theactual product.
We help the customer processall of that to be able to have a
repair or replacement done onthose systems.
Leon Goltsman (14:04):
You certainly hold a big market share here in
Lake Macquarie, so when yourcustomers deal with you they
know that it's a company that'sgoing to be very well respected
in the industry.
Samuel Culhaci (14:15):
Yeah, that's correct, and that's again a very
important thing for you knowcommunity to know that we're not
just here for the short term,we're here to support them.
We're not just here for theshort term, we're here to
support them.
We're not just selling them aone-off product, we're giving
them a system that's going to beongoing and we're responsible
(14:35):
for that as well.
So, yeah, they can buy withconfidence, knowing that we're
going to be looking after theirlong-term needs.
Leon Goltsman (14:46):
We know that air conditioning and solar people
think, oh look, I'm not going toget an air conditioner because
summer's over, or they mightturn around and say, well, hang
on a sec.
Do we really need solar becausewe're about to approach winter
months?
Samuel Culhaci (15:03):
What would you say to that?
So, yeah, look, with airconditioning, for instance,
because they're reverse cycle,we find our customers are using
it year round.
It's always in use and duringthose times when you know it's
not being used, that's a greattime to have a service done on
them, which we find we're doinga lot of that.
Living in Australia, in NewSouth wales, we have sun almost
(15:26):
every day, and what people don'trealize is that solar panels
don't need direct sunlight onlybecause it's, uh, what they call
a photo voltaic system, so itrelies on the photons in the
light, so we can have a cloudyday like today, but your solar
system is still producing powerand and you can see that.
(15:49):
So with our systems, you willhave an app that you can
actually see what it's producingand it's great.
We find a lot of customersexcited when they see it and
saying, well, it's not sunny,but I'm look, I'm still
producing quite a good amount ofpower.
So, yeah, it's all year round.
It's something that can be usedand benefit our local customers
(16:12):
365 days a year.
Leon Goltsman (16:15):
Yeah, see, that's the sort of information that a
lot of people were not aware of.
You mentioned you touched onpeople, obviously moving up to
Lake Macquarie from the city.
So my question to you, sam, ishow do urban and regional
settings impact solar energyperformance and design?
Samuel Culhaci (16:32):
Well, there's a big difference because, like in
cities like Sydney, the rooftopsare smaller and they get more
shaded because of the condensedbuildings, the nearby buildings.
That really impacts the solaroutput.
But in urban areas, especiallyin the new development places
(16:53):
we're getting in here inMorissette, coorambong area,
even in our region, we're seeinga lot more space on the roof,
more affordable as well, andthese roof spaces have fewer
shade issues.
So, you see, from the morningto the evening you get that full
(17:16):
sunlight, which means a higheroutput for the solar and many
also regional areas have gridlimitations that restrict how
much solar energy can beexported.
But these regions that's wherebattery comes in to play and
we're seeing that it's becomingmore and more popular and it
(17:40):
sounds complicated, but reallysolar and battery is not that
complicated and we will reallyhelp you navigate through all
those difficulties that youperceive and show you that it's
quite simple and how it allworks and the benefits that you
get from the day of the installyou know you're saving starts
(18:02):
right away.
Leon Goltsman (18:03):
It is good to have somebody who at least knows
what they're talking about.
Less stress on the person who'smaking the decision.
Samuel Culhaci (18:10):
Yeah, exactly To be informed correctly.
We make decisions every day,don't we?
But you make decisions on theknowledge that you have.
So, unfortunately, these daysthere's a lot of misconceptions
out there and you get a lot ofinformation from people you
(18:32):
don't know who they are.
So, getting that rightinformation, then you can decide
well, what is the best thingfor me?
And that's how we do it.
We will help you make thosedecisions, we give you those
options and then you decide as acustomer.
We don't force to pressuresomebody to buy something.
(18:54):
We will make sure they have theright information for their
needs and then they can decidewhich way they want to go.
Leon Goltsman (19:02):
And that's all part of making a sensible choice
.
Samuel Culhaci (19:04):
That's right.
Yeah, sensible choice, exactlythe way you put it.
And we we have to make sensiblechoices, but to do that you've
got to have the rightinformation.
Leon Goltsman (19:14):
And speaking of the right information,
installing solar can be veryexciting, but some people can
make costly mistakes.
What are the type of thingsthey should be avoiding?
Samuel Culhaci (19:24):
what are the type of things they should be
avoiding?
Well, the most mistake peopledo is buying the cheapest system
that they can find with lowquality components.
So either buying from theadvertising they see on TV or
from celebrities spruikingcertain products and companies.
(19:46):
But even worse than that isbuying from someone that comes
and knocks on your door, becauseyou know all systems are not
the same and, like I said, theyhave to be tailored.
They have to really understandthe way your energy needs are,
and buying that way it may seemcheap at first, but we're
finding that they often have topay twice because that system is
(20:10):
not adequate enough.
It wasn't the right design forthem.
It was a poor installation froma company that's come from a
town that we don't know about,who they are, we don't know what
they've done, how they've doneit, because solar is not just a
product, it's a power plant.
You're producing power, sogovernment doesn't design or a
(20:36):
company doesn't design a powerplant just because it's cheap.
It's got to be designedcorrectly and engineered right
for the needs of the community.
And that's the same with solar.
It's got to be designed rightand installed correctly to have
that long-term savings and usageand the safety as well, and
that's a big factor.
(20:56):
You know as long as you hearabout solar causing fire, but
it's not because of the product,it's because of the way it was
installed.
So getting the right company todo that is so important.
And also that way you knowyou've got the right size as
well, because you can beadvertised a certain product.
But is that the right fit foryou?
(21:17):
Is that the right size systemfor you is going to produce
enough energy when you need it?
Or it may be even too too largefor your needs.
So you really got to look atthe information or have the
right information, and that'swhy at DNR Air Conditioning and
Electrical, like I said, we'veserved in the community for 16
years now and we ensure thatevery installation is done right
(21:39):
the first time and using thehigh-quality installation
components, because we're goingon people's roofs, in their
ceilings, in their homes.
It's their castle, it's theirplace, so we need to treat it
that way and we treat eachinstallation as if it's our own
(21:59):
or we're installing for ourgrandparents, making sure
everything is right before weleave, and that way we can give
those warranties.
Sometimes things don't go right100% of the time.
Well, we make sure it getsrectified and we're there.
We don't just leave thecustomer because we've got their
(22:21):
payment and see you later.
No, we make sure everything isdone correctly and we look after
our community.
Leon Goltsman (22:28):
Well, that's the secret of any company.
Success is a company who takesaccountability and
responsibility for their work.
Samuel Culhaci (22:36):
Yeah, exactly, and that's why we take pride in
what we do.
And to do that is, you know,you've got to really understand
your consumer, understand yourcustomer, understand your
products and make sure they fitright together.
And yeah, that's why we havethat pride and and try to help
(22:58):
as best we can with with ourcustomers.
Leon Goltsman (23:02):
So we've covered the people who are installing
for the first time.
How about people who alreadyhave existing solar systems?
Samuel Culhaci (23:09):
Well, yeah, look , some people got into the
install their systems, probably10, 12.
We've had some systems thathave been there for probably 15
years.
So what they might be missingout on is the new efficient
technology, because technologyhas changed very rapidly within
(23:30):
you know.
Within two years we almost haveanother step in our technology,
and that's no different tosolar.
It's actually grown faster thanthat.
So something that may haveworked for them five to ten
years ago is no longer adequateenough.
It may be too small.
Energy uses have gone up in thehome.
They can now upgrade.
(23:53):
And what most people don'trealise is the government
incentives still apply if youupgrade your system.
So they don't miss out on that.
It's not a one-time incentive.
They can still claim their,their stcs.
There's small scalecertificates, which offsets the
cost of that.
(24:14):
The other benefit is is theolder panels didn't cope with
shading or the direction of thesunlight as much where the newer
designs do.
That they have what they call abypass diode.
There's three bypass diodeswithin the panel, so if part of
the panel gets shaded, itbypasses, as the name suggests,
(24:36):
so it doesn't affect the rest ofthe panel or the rest of the
panels within that system.
So it's a great advantage.
And also, when we started out,I think the panel sizes were
about 150 watts.
Now we're going for residentialbetween 450 to 480 watts a
(24:57):
panel and anywhere up to about600 watts on a commercial panel,
so you have less footprint onyour roof, producing more power.
So, yeah, it's a great benefitfor those that may have an older
system maybe breaking down.
Also, you can't find the partsanymore to those old systems
(25:19):
that were out there.
And, of course, addingbatteries now is a big benefit
too.
Leon Goltsman (25:25):
You mentioned batteries.
The question is is it reallyworth it?
I mean battery storage.
From what I'm hearing from ourconversation here, battery
storage does help maximise solarbenefits, but really is it
worth the investment?
Samuel Culhaci (25:40):
Definitely.
You know, batteries let youstore the excess solar,
especially for those familiesthat may not be at home during
the day and, like we mentionedearlier, they use their power
early in the morning or later inthe evening.
That can really take benefit oftheir solar system, so it
stores their energy for whenthey need it.
(26:01):
And it's useful also if you'rein areas where there's blackouts
and we're getting more and moreof those or we have a storm.
You know we had a storm herenot long ago and some areas in
morrisette lost power for two,three, four days.
But our customers that hadbatteries well, they they kept
(26:23):
on going, um, they didn't evenrealize sometimes there was a
blackout and the other.
The other incentive is thatthere's government in new south
wales new south wales residents.
The government offers a batteryrebate between 1600 to two to
two and a half thousand dollars,uh, contributing towards the
battery, and that started backin November 2024.
(26:45):
So making storage even moreaffordable for those customers.
And they can also earn an extra$250 to $400 by connecting to a
virtual power plant.
What that means is the excesspower.
If the system needs it, theycan grab it from your battery as
well, which helps stabilize thesystem.
(27:07):
And here at dna conditioningelectrical we help customers
navigate these rebates, choosingthe best battery system for
their needs as well.
This is a lot of differentbattery brands out there and you
just and you don't want tocompromise when you're buying a
battery, you don't want to betoo small and you also want to
(27:29):
make sure that you get the fullbenefit of that battery.
So having a backup gateway so alot of batteries are just sold
without that.
But every system we put in, youmake sure that you do have that
backup, and not only that you.
We have what we call a blackstart.
So what that means is if yourpower goes out, your battery
(27:49):
takes over, but if that batteryis depleted, that's it.
Your power is dead.
But with the systems we use,when the sun comes back up, it
recharges your battery.
So you can have that ongoingsystem.
And we've also teamed up withAmber Electrical.
They're an energy wholesaler soyou can buy power at the same
(28:11):
price as the retailers do, likeEnergy Australia, agl Origin.
So we can help you with settingthat up as well, especially
with those that have batteries.
It's such a big saving for themand, yeah, we help those, help
those customers again make surethey've got the right plan and
the right system for themselvesso we know that not all solar
(28:33):
providers are the same.
Leon Goltsman (28:34):
Well, what should people look for?
Samuel Culhaci (28:36):
well, just like with anything, any product they
want to buy.
You know, look for a company, areputable company.
And with solar, you know we'vegot a clean energy council, so
all installers have to beaccredited by them.
So they need to check.
Also, customer reviews You'vegot to be careful with the
(28:59):
reviews as well.
We're going to make sure theyare right reviews and make sure
the quality of the productsthey're using.
And with dnr, look, we're herein morrisette so you can even
pop in and see us.
We've got a physical officewith the products.
There you can talk to us.
(29:19):
We're real people.
We're not, you know, a callcentre somewhere, maybe not even
in Australia, trying to make asale.
So we have that ongoing support.
So for the last 16 years we'vehad that reputation Reliable air
conditioning, electrical, solarinstallations and that ongoing
support to make sure ourcustomers get the most from
(29:42):
their investment.
So really, just do yourresearch and not be taken up by
the marketing jargon that's outthere.
Leon Goltsman (29:51):
And so, sam, what is the number that people could
call or website they can visitto get in touch?
Samuel Culhaci (29:56):
It's.
Dnrairconcom is the website,and from there you can get all
our contact details, and that'sthe best way to contact us.
Or to just come down to 30Gateway Boulevard, morissette,
and you can talk to any of usthere, whatever your needs are,
(30:17):
and, yeah, go from there.
Leon Goltsman (30:18):
I will include all that in the show notes, and
we have covered a lot today.
So for someone still on thefence about going solar, what
would you say to them?
Samuel Culhaci (30:27):
well, I'd say, start by doing your research.
And solar isn't just aboutsavings, it's about taking
control of your energy futureand viewing it as a a power
plant.
It's not just a, a product, anappliance you're buying.
It's a power plant to secureyour energy future for your you
(30:49):
and your family.
And here at dna ignitionelectrical we offer
consultations to help peopleunderstand their options and
make informed decisions.
Even if you're not ready now ortoday, knowing your options
puts a better position for yourfuture.
So, yeah, contact us, come andtalk to us, ask the questions
(31:14):
Every question is valid andwe'll help you navigate the
marketing terms that's out thereand make sure that you're
buying and you have theconfidence that you're going to
get that support for your rightair conditioning, electrical,
solar needs.
Leon Goltsman (31:30):
And, of course, this technology is going to be
used for families, for theirchildren, for their loved ones,
but also an investment, not justa short-term investment, but
one that is a very importantpart of their life.
Samuel Culhaci (31:45):
Yeah, certainly, and it is very important part
of their life.
Yeah, certainly, and it it isan important part of a life.
We use energy every day.
You know, in everything we do.
From our young ones, you know,we'll have a energy product in
their hand from when they wereborn to our older ones.
We're seeing our older ones,you know, using tablets and
computers and and all sorts ofgadgets these days.
(32:07):
So the demand and energy isgrowing and and continuing to
grow.
So we have to be really wiseabout our choices on how we're
going to adapt to that change,and we've seen that we're going
from fossil fuels to moregreener fuels and solar is
(32:28):
certainly one of them.
There's a lot of other optionsout there that's being
considered at the moment in theindustry, but what has worked
and is continuing to work issolar and every household can
have their own power plant intheir home and they can be
independent.
(32:48):
With those with installedbatteries and it's designed
correctly, they can be totallyoff-grid.
So we do a lot of off-gridsystems in the area as well, in
Morrison and the surroundingareas.
So, yeah, if you have anoff-grid need, we can help you
with that as well.
But, yeah, certainly, solar isthe future sam, thank you very
(33:08):
much.
Leon Goltsman (33:09):
Glad to be part of that future and I appreciate
having the future here talkingto me thank you, leon.
Samuel Culhaci (33:15):
It's been a pleasure to really help you and
your listeners understand howenergy and solar energy works
and what they can do to be partof that.
Leon Goltsman (33:27):
And that's a wrap .
And with that we covered a lotof ground today, from
understanding how solar worksyear round to the real financial
benefits of investing in theright system and, most
importantly, the criticaldifferences that expert advice
can make and long-term support.
And that's exactly why Sam andthe team at DNR Air Conditioning
and Electrical are, without adoubt, the sensible choice.
(33:50):
If you're thinking about solarupgrading your system or just
want honest advice, reach out toSam and the team at DNR.
You'll be supported by realpeople with real solutions who
are genuinely invested in thecommunity.
And speaking of supporting eachother, next week I'm sitting
down with David Martin from SRUCommunity Hub.
(34:12):
David is the inspiring leaderbehind Sons of the Phoenix, a
transformative movement that'screating safe spaces for men
facing relationship breakdowns,mental health struggles,
loneliness and more.
In a world where too manysuffer in silence.
Sons of the Phoenix reminds usyou are not alone.
It's a conversation full ofhope, strength and the power of
(34:34):
community, and it's aconversation that could make a
real difference for you orsomeone you care about.
If you enjoyed today's episodeor have any feedback, I'd love
to hear from you.
Drop me an email at leon atekohqcomau.
Your feedback helps us grow andensures we're delivering
conversations that matter.
(34:55):
And, of course, I'd love you tofollow, share and tell your
network about engagingconversations.
Let's continue building acommunity of forward thinking
Australians, one meaningfulconversation at a time.
I'm Leon Goltsman and untilnext time, stay engaged, stay
connected and let's keep makinga difference together.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.