One of the fastest growing forms of renewable energy is solar power. These days, it isn’t uncommon to see solar panels installed in the roofs of residential homes. If you are considering turning to solar power, this article is for you. Read at an learn everything you need to about solar energy.
Do your research before you buy or install anything. It is important that you know what you’re allowed to have in place, what is the best choice for efficiency and what sort of a budget you’re working with. Once you have those answers in hand, you’ll be able to go forward with your project.
An environmentally friendly way to save money is using a solar water tank to heat your home’s water. Water heating systems can have tanks or be tankless, both able to be powered by the sun. You will only have to install a couple of panels on your roof or front lawn.
If you just want to partially go solar, check out smaller-scale solar power applications. There are two ways you can take care of this. First, get solar paneling that can be mounted on windows as a means to recharge electronic devices. The second is to look for solar equipment aimed at campers, such as lanterns and stoves. Each tiny bit helps you lower those bills!
One great way to take advantage of solar energy is by constructing a heat well just inside the south facing windows or patio doors of your home. This well collects heat from the sun during the day and releases it after dark. This form of solar energy is completely passive and requires no maintenance.
To help keep your solar energy panels running efficiently, keep a record of your solar panels performance. On this record, note when the days are overcast and how much energy your panels produced. This will help you plan your energy consumption better. For example, if the forecast is cloudy, then you should wait to do household chores that use a lot of energy.
Find a reputable company. With the rapidly rising popularity of solar energy, new companies are springing up left and right to take advantage. A solar energy installation is a big purchase that should last you many years. When shopping for your system, look for a company that you can be confident will still be around ten or even twenty years from now.
Make sure to have your solar panels professionally installed. The installation of these panels needs to be very precise, and you do not want to mess it up. Having a professional installation also provides you with a warranty, and this gives you somewhere to turn if things are not working right.
Contact your insurance agent to find out if a solar energy system could be included in your insurance policy. Expect your homeowner’s insurance premiums to go up once your system is installed and consider switching to a different insurance agency if you find that your premiums have become too expensive.
Outdoor lighting fixtures can be completely powered by solar energy. Search for outdoor fixtures that collect energy from the sun during the day and release it after dark. While these fixtures do not require a lot of energy, these systems are very convenient because there are no electrical wires to run or short out.
Start looking at the weather if you are thinking about solar panels. You need at least five hours of sunlight every day to get the most use out of them. You should consider other forms of clean energy if the weather in your area often includes rain, snow or clouds.
Before making a choice on how many solar panels you use make a list of all the electrical appliances you use and the wattage and hours utilized by each one. This will be helpful in determining how much solar power you will need. No matter if you decide to install the equipment yourself or have someone else do it, this information will help your choices.
Always look for a good and qualified contractor to install your solar system. Just because you are having a new technology installed on your home, does not mean that you should look for new contractors. The type of work is very specialized and having a quality contractor with a proven track record is critical to having your system installed properly
When switching over to solar panel, take the time to evaluate all of your energy needs. Solar panels are far from cheap, and there might be more cost effective ways that you can reduce energy consumption in your home. By reducing consumption, you can reduce how many panels you need, thereby reducing your overall purchase and install costs for a solar system.
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.
Solar water heating is a great way to use the sun’s power to heat up your swimming pool. It can also be used to heat the water for your home. That said, the energy savings is typically only 30% over traditional water heating devices, so keep that in mind as you create a budget.
With any luck, the article you have just read has answered any questions you may have had with regards to solar energy. Use this information to aid you in your decision to install solar panels in your home. At the end of the day, it is only worth it if it makes financial sense.
Lauderhill FL
