The summer is heating up, so there’s no better time to act on getting those solar panels installed on your house. We’re here to help give you that last push to invest if you’ve been thinking about installing. Solar will not only help you and your family save money on energy, but it will help protect the planet, one house at a time. Here is our take on solar panels for homeowners, and why you should consider investing in solar energy.
The benefits of solar panels for your home energy and savings
The biggest benefit of installing those solar panels on your home is that you and your family will save on those energy costs and become more energy efficient. In fact, you’ll be able to produce enough electricity for your entire home with large enough panels. But regardless of the size, any size solar array can help reduce the amount of carbon emissions that your home produces. If you’re interested in seeing how much solar can help you save on your energy bills, we recommend using solar.com’s savings estimate so you can get a visual estimate as to how much solar can help you save money and energy so you can live a more eco-friendly life.
How will solar panels affect your home’s electricity supply?
Your electric system should switch effortlessly between your home’s electric system and the solar energy generated from the panels if they are fit and tailored specifically to your home’s roof. When the solar panels aren’t generating enough energy for your home, there’s no need to worry— your home’s original energy system will kick in to make sure you don’t lose power. It will be so effortless, you won’t even notice a difference in your electricity supply. Most of the time, you won’t even have to tell your energy provider that you’re installing solar— solar distributors will most likely already have your provider’s permission to install. The only thing you should do is some research to make sure that your provider is competitive, service-oriented, and the most cost-efficient option for you and your family.
Things to consider to make the most out of your solar installation
A strong solar partner will help you walk through the answers to these starter questions. But we recommend that you do your research and look for the best local installation service to ensure that you have the best installer with the greatest rates.
Before fully investing and choosing solar energy, here are a few things you should consider:
- The condition of your roof
- How much sun your roof gets
- How large your roof is (can solar panels fit?)
- What size array would work for you
- Are there trees blocking your roof
You should look into a system that is large enough to accommodate your home energy usage and needs, but won’t leave you with extra energy you won’t use. A solar battery or an energy storage system will help store all of the energy that your panels generate, so you can save it and use it at a later time— especially at night. Together with your solar partner, you will inspect your roof to make sure it is in good enough condition to sustain the weight and surface area of solar panels.
If your roof is too small, or does not receive enough sunlight during the day through shade or other such obstructions, then solar panels may not be for you. Be mindful and acknowledge that if you won’t make your money back on a solar investment due to the placement of your home, then you should opt out of solar and instead consider other energy efficient upgrades.
Get the most out of solar and cut down on your bills
There are various things you should do to make sure that you get the most out of your solar panel system and ensure that you’re getting your money’s worth. Using your electricity during the day when your panels are most effective can help to utilize solar energy when you’re using it most. This includes things like running your washer, dryer, and dishwasher. You can combine your solar panel system with other energy-saving systems (i.e. our mini-split heat pump, a solar battery or energy storage system) to make your home even more energy efficient.
Another way to make sure you get the most out of your system is to keep your solar panels clean. Panel cleaning kits or automated cleaners can ensure your panels aren’t blocked and clogged so you get the most out of the sunlight during the day. If you think solar could be a good option for you, start by reaching out to a company in your area. Our partner, Relay Power, has an experienced track record with installations.
