Luxury homes often feature breathtaking architecture, premium finishes, and every modern convenience imaginable. However, behind the scenes, those impressive features can come with an equally impressive electricity bill. In episode 8 of Open Homes Australia, Roshan visits an extraordinary residence in Epping, NSW, where exceptional design meets intelligent energy management. Joining him is renowned interior designer Darren Genner from Studio Minosa, who showcases the remarkable transformation of the property. Roshan also catches up with Harrison Blake from Smooth Current Electrical & Solar to discover how one of Australia’s largest Anker SOLIX residential battery installations is helping power this incredible home.
At the heart of the energy system is the Anker SOLIX X1 battery, delivering the performance, scalability, and reliability needed to support a truly technology-rich home.
A home where every detail matters
From the moment you arrive, the home makes an unforgettable first impression. Its striking façade sets the tone for what lies inside, blending bold architectural features with a sophisticated modern aesthetic.
Although Studio Minosa was not responsible for the home’s exterior, Darren Genner explained that one of the studio’s guiding philosophies is creating harmony between the inside and outside of every project. Their goal was to ensure the interior reflected the same dramatic style already established by the exterior.
The result is a cohesive home filled with luxurious finishes, including a spectacular marble kitchen, custom lighting, a temperature-controlled wine cellar, and one of the property’s most memorable features, a five-and-a-half-metre motorised pop-up whisky bar that rises from the benchtop at the touch of a button.
Every room demonstrates meticulous attention to detail. However, all of this technology, lighting, and entertainment equipment requires a significant amount of energy to operate.
When luxury meets high electricity bills
Beautiful homes often come with increased energy demands.
Large televisions, refrigeration, lighting, climate control, wine storage, outdoor entertaining areas, and premium appliances all contribute to higher electricity consumption.
Before upgrading the home’s energy system, electricity bills reached approximately $8,000 per quarter. Even after installing a large rooftop solar system, quarterly bills still remained around $3,000. While solar dramatically reduced costs, it could not eliminate the home’s dependence on the electricity grid once the sun went down.
To maximise the value of the solar investment, the homeowners needed an energy storage solution capable of matching the property’s substantial electricity usage.
Designing the right battery system
According to Harrison Blake from Smooth Current Electrical & Solar, every installation begins with understanding how a household consumes energy.
Rather than recommending a one-size-fits-all solution, the team first completed a detailed energy audit, reviewing electricity bills and analysing the home’s consumption patterns. That information was then used to design a system capable of meeting both current and future energy requirements.
Given the scale of the property, a conventional residential battery simply would not have been enough. Instead, Smooth Current installed an impressive 40kW solar system alongside an incredible 60kWh Anker SOLIX X1 battery installation, believed to be the largest residential Anker system in the Southern Hemisphere.
The combination allows the home to capture enormous amounts of solar energy during the day and store excess generation for use throughout the evening and overnight.
Why the Anker SOLIX X1 stood out
Battery technology has evolved rapidly over recent years, but flexibility remains one of the biggest advantages of the Anker SOLIX X1 platform.
Its modular design allows storage capacity to grow alongside a homeowner’s changing energy needs. Whether supporting larger homes, increased appliance usage, or future electric vehicle charging, the system can be expanded without replacing the original investment.
For Smooth Current Electrical & Solar, another important consideration was the wider Anker ecosystem. Beyond battery storage, the product range includes EV charging solutions and the new energy gateway, allowing homeowners to build an integrated home energy system that works seamlessly together.
Built for Australian conditions
Australian homes experience some of the harshest environmental conditions in the world. For installers working in coastal regions, corrosion resistance can be just as important as battery capacity.
Harrison explained that one reason Smooth Current chooses Anker is its C5 Marine corrosion rating. This level of protection helps safeguard the system against salt-laden air, making it particularly well suited to installations located near the coast.
Although this home is located in Sydney’s north-west, choosing equipment designed to withstand demanding environments provides additional peace of mind and long-term durability.
A battery that complements premium design
For many homeowners investing heavily in architecture and interior design, appearance still matters. Battery systems are becoming increasingly visible within garages and utility spaces, making aesthetics an important consideration.
Roshan asked Darren Genner for his thoughts on the appearance of the Anker SOLIX X1. While functionality always comes first, Darren admitted he was impressed by the battery’s modern styling. Unlike many battery systems, the darker finish complements the home’s moody colour palette and integrates neatly into the garage alongside the property’s other premium features.
It is another example of how energy technology no longer needs to compromise design.
Driving electricity bills towards zero
Perhaps the biggest benefit of combining large-scale solar with substantial battery storage is reducing reliance on the electricity grid. Instead of exporting valuable solar energy during the day and purchasing electricity again each evening, homeowners can store excess generation and use it when they need it most.
For this Epping property, Harrison expects the addition of the Anker SOLIX X1 battery system to reduce electricity costs dramatically, potentially bringing what were once $8,000 quarterly power bills close to zero under favourable operating conditions.
For homeowners with significant energy usage, battery storage is becoming an increasingly valuable investment. It allows them to maximise self-consumption, improve energy independence, and make better use of the solar energy already being generated on their roof.
Smarter energy for modern Australian homes
This remarkable home demonstrates that luxury living and energy efficiency can work hand in hand.
Studio Minosa has created an extraordinary space where thoughtful design enhances every room, while Smooth Current Electrical & Solar has delivered an equally impressive energy solution behind the scenes. With a 40kW solar system and a 60kWh Anker SOLIX X1 battery installation working together, this technology-rich home is now equipped to power its premium lifestyle while significantly reducing ongoing electricity costs.
As more Australians look for ways to take control of rising energy prices, solutions like the Anker SOLIX X1 are proving that battery storage is no longer simply an optional extra. For many homes, it is becoming an essential part of building a smarter, more resilient, and more energy-independent future.
