How to Know When It’s the Right Time to Get Solar Panels for Your Home
If you’re interested in solar energy, you may be wondering if it’s the right time to invest. Now, it is easier and cheaper to install solar panels for your home than ever before. Installing solar panels will instantly improve the value of your home, lower the cost of your electricity bills, and decrease your carbon footprint. If you’re still not convinced, here are some ways to know when you’re ready to make to the switch:
1. You want to start saving money on electricity bills
When you start generating your own energy, you can dramatically lower your energy bill. Solar panels are a one-time investment, but they usually pay off in the long run. The amount of money you save depends on a few factors, including the insulation in your home, the size of your home, and the rebate amounts. But make no mistake–opting for solar is almost always the most cost-effective choice. Heating your home in the winter alone can cost a bundle, so it’s worth the time and money to invest in economical heating systems. If that isn’t enough to convince you, you can also sell any electricity you don’t use back to the utility grid.
2. You want to add to the value of your home
Solar energy is an exceptional way to add value to your home. The ability to access solar energy is an appealing asset to prospective homeowners because of the potential long-term savings. Solar panels will instantly improve your property value should you decide to sell. In fact, a study headed by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkley Lab recently found that people were consistently willing to pay about $15,000 more for homes with a solar system on average. That is more than the cost of an entire average-sized solar panel system!
3. You want to go off the grid
The electrical grid is an interconnected network that delivers electricity from electricity companies to consumers. When you use power from the grid, you are subject to fluctuating electricity prices. Given that the price of electricity has increased by about 3 cents/kWh in the last decade (and projected to keep growing) it is a good time to transition to solar energy. When your energy comes from the sun, you are independent and self-sufficient. This makes installing solar panels a reliable, long-term investment.
Furthermore, solar panels are a good source of back-up energy. If you install a “hybrid” system, meaning your power comes from solar energy and grid energy, you can always fall back on your solar energy output if there is a power outage. You will likely need to connect your solar system to batteries to store extra energy, so be sure to talk to your solar panel provider about this if you are interested.
4. You want to help the environment
Lastly, solar energy is a clean, reliable energy source. In a rapidly developing world, we all need to do our part to help reduce the global dependence on fossil fuels. Solar energy is one of the easiest ways to contribute since it does not require many resources to implement. Solar energy is safe, easy, and completely sustainable.
Taking the Leap
Solar panels are a one-time investment that provides long-term savings. If you are ready to increase the value of your home, switch to clean, sustainable energy sources, and make significant savings in your bills, talk to an agent today about installing solar panels for your home.
