The way that you handle your home electricity will mean a lot to your daily experience and the way your home holds up over the years. Solar electricity makes your home more modern and can potentially give it plenty of longevity while also keeping up with the times.
About 4% of United States homes are solar ready. If you are thinking about making the switch to solar energy, there are some things that you should get to know first.
These tips will help you know what to consider before going solar.
1. Calculate Your Bills and Energy Use
If you are thinking about going solar, make sure that you understand how you’re currently using electricity first. Get ahold of your recent bills to see how much you’re paying and what kind of electrical output is being created.
Be particularly mindful of how much electricity you are using in the peak months, such as summer and winter. This is when a lot of homeowners are spending more time at home due to school being out, the holidays, and extreme weather.
It’s also when you run your heating and cooling the most, which will naturally run up your bills.
The main way to learn about your current home energy use is to get an electrical audit from a professional.
A professional will inspect your home to see how much electricity you’re using regularly and whether there are any areas of waste that can be curbed.
Before going solar, you may consider switching to a new energy provider and comparing electricity rates using comparison sites like PowertoChoose Texas to find the perfect plan for your needs.
Start here so that you have an idea about how solar can help and what next steps you should take.
2. Know the Benefits of Going Solar
Make sure that you also consider the benefits of going solar rather than just arbitrarily making the change. There are several perks that you get when you install solar panels, but it pays to find this out for yourself.
It’s a form of clean energy that uses the sun and makes you less reliant on your standard electrical power. This is eco-friendly, because traditional electricity is based on fossil fuels that have a lot of emissions and pollute the environment.
When you go solar, you will also reduce your electric bills and will be able to use this money for other parts of your life and household. Going solar is also a great way to improve your property values since it modernizes your home and lets you get a better return on investment (ROI) should you decide to sell it or rent it out.
As a bonus, solar panels also look great on your roof and will give your home a chic, high-tech, modern look that keeps with the times.
3. Consider What Solar Company You Want to Hire
You also have to pay attention to what solar company you hire to do the work for you. Since you are essentially overhauling your entire home energy system, you should only hire a solar company that is proven to produce quality work.
They should belong to solar associations and should be easily verifiable when you look them up online. Check out some of their reviews as well to see how they score and to learn how other homeowners experienced their work. If you have a neighbor, family member, or friend who has gone solar, you can also ask for a referral on which company handled the work for them.
Talk to a couple of different companies after you have generated some leads, and have them walk you through the work involved and what you should expect. These pros will also give you some price estimates that will help you make an informed hire so that you can get the work done without it having to become an expensive burden.
4. Know What Equipment You Need
If you are going to switch to solar, learn everything you need to know about the equipment that you are installing. These solar panels all look alike on the surface, but there are some subtle differences between them.
The types of panels that you are likely to buy include polycrystalline, mono crystalline, and thin-film. Ask the solar panel professionals about the technology and whether or not they have brands that they specialize in.
When a solar professional has specific brands that they use, they are also more likely to offer warranties that will protect both the work and the equipment.
5. Study the Long-Term Maintenance and Care
If you’re buying new solar panels, keep in mind that it’s a long-term investment. Not only do you need to get the panels installed, but you have to also invest in the long-term maintenance and care that they require.
Hire a company that can offer ongoing solar services, such as cleaning the panels, tightening any loose connections, and handling any weather-proofing work.
The care that you put into the panels long-term will help you keep your off the grid electricity running how it should.
6. Consider Rebates and Tax Benefits
Finally, make sure that you take advantage of all of the incentives that come with installing solar panels. There are many rebates and tax benefits that you can take advantage of, starting with one that is offered annually by the federal government.
You might also be able to get rebates through your municipality or as a deduction on your state taxes. Research your eligibility and talk to your solar installer about them before the work begins.
Going Solar on Your Terms
Going solar takes some research and an understanding of the technology. These six tips will help you out so that you can do what’s best for your home energy.
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