If you are thinking of going green, you couldn’t do better than solar energy. It draws its power from the sun. Keep reading to find out more.
Talk to your local government about doing any major solar installations in your home or business. You want to be properly permitted and within building, zoning and construction codes and regulations. However, you may also discover tax credits, rebates and other financial incentives. They may also have data and information about how well certain solar technologies work in your area.
You might be wondering how you can use solar energy, without having to spend a fortune. Solar energy systems can be expensive, but they can also be very affordable. Try using solar powered lights on your walkway or around your yard. You can also add solar panels slowly to your home overtime to bring down some of the costs little by little.
When using solar power, you do not have to worry about harming the environment in any way. Fossil fuels send harmful greenhouse gases off into the atmosphere, and they contribute to global warming and climate change. However, solar cells have no impact on the environment and are safe to use.
Before signing any agreement for installation of solar energy products, get at least three estimates. Once the estimates are in your hand, read each one carefully to ensure that the installation is up to your standards. Each estimate should include a time frame of completion, a list of materials and the estimated amount of labor charged.
You should only invest in a total solar energy system if you have already paid off your house. If you have to make payments on your house still, you will have to pay extra for your solar energy system and could lose it if you fall behind on your payments.
Avoid pushy sales reps who work in the business of solar energy. You will more than likely run into pushy salespeople. You can tell them you’ll be back later, and they should be fine with it. A good deal now should still be a good deal later. Decisions made under pressure can end up costing you a lot.
Carefully consider the types of solar panels you plan on having installed. Long ago, if you didn’t have enough roof space, you’d need very expensive high efficiency mono-crystalline panels. There are now more advanced polycrystalline panels and even thin film panels. If you’ve got enough roof space, you might wish to look at the size of the panels in relation to their output capacity to avoid having insufficient panels that you need more of later.
Some vendors claim that they have panels able of generating power in the shade. It is true that certain technologies such as thin film panels are more efficient than other products when the sky is overcast, but keep in mind that producing solar energy in the full shade is absolutely impossible.
Don’t allow the first store you visit to convince you that their solar panels are the best. It may seem that solar cells are typically the same wherever you go, but there is actually a big difference across the market and it’s easy to miss the important statistics. Pay attention to wattage, size, and cost on each option.
Do not install a solar system in your home without first doing an energy audit. An energy audit will assess your energy needs and will help you utilize savings before installing a solar system. The last thing you want to do is install a solar system to pay for energy you are wasting.
You may have lots of sunlight in the area, but if the roof is in full shade, it simply will not matter. Don’t believe that solar companies claims that you’ll still be able to get lots of power from solar panels which are covered by shade. That isn’t right.
Take the time to check on your panels regularly to make sure they are still functioning. Solar energy installations require little maintenance, but you still need to monitor them for cleanliness, damage and performance. You don’t need to learn that something is wrong via a big energy bill.
Do not use any harsh chemicals when cleaning the solar system of your home. You should make sure that it stays clean, but be careful about the products you use. The best thing to do would be to combine warm water and a mild dish soap and use that to clean it.
Since children are the ones who will be running the future it is important to teach them early about renewable energy. As a parent you can set the example by using solar energy whenever possible. If it is not possible to swap your entire house over, maybe switch out your outdoor lighting.
A hot tub is a lot of fun but it can also cause your energy bills to go up. If you use your hot tub regularly and want to save on energy, you should use solar energy to power it or heat the water you use. A large solar panel is enough to power your hot tub or provide you with hot water.
Solar energy is good for you and the planet. This source of energy uses natural resources and is an advantage for everyone. Use the tips this article has provided you with to make wise solar energy choices.
Beavercreek OH
