Did you know that there are over 1.47 million solar panels being used right now in the USA?
Just one solar panel can power the air conditioning or heating system in your home. There may be many reasons that you’re considering switching your house to solar energy.
You may be thinking about long-term financial savings, or simply doing your bit for the environment. But there are things you need to know about solar energy before you make the change, keep reading to find out what!
1. Know Your Roof
There are many aspects that need to be analyzed before a solar energy installation can take place, but one of the most important ones is your roof.
It’s good to have an in-depth understanding of the direction in which your roof slopes, as this can impact the maximum amount of sunlight exposure. Also, try to find out from an expert what weight your current roof can withstand and whether it may need additional reinforcing.
2. Quality Over Quantity
Installing solar energy into your home follows the same rules as any other product or service, if the price seems too good, then it probably is.
When it comes to solar panels and their installation, price is usually a good indicator of quality. If a deal seems too cheap, you may find that the warranty on the panels themselves doesn’t last very long or the level of workmanship on the installation itself may not be up to par.
3. Find a Reputable Contractor
There’s no other way to say this, you absolutely need to shop around. The thing you should be looking for is reliable word-of-mouth referrals from friends or family, people who have actually used a contractor will be able to give you honest referrals.
Also, check out the contractors online, read up on their reviews, and see what previous customers have to say about their experience, this is a good way to evaluate their level of products and service.
Have an in-depth read of their website, https://blueravensolar.com/texas/plano/ is a great example of a detailed website for solar energy.
4. There Are Different Warranties
Switching to solar energy can mean that you’re inundated with technical jargon and confusing terms, but the one thing that you need to be mindful of is the warranties you’ll be given.
You’ll have different warranties for your panels, for your installation, and for your inverters. These warranties are usually for different periods of time, so knowing the length can help you budget for future maintenance and repairs if needed.
5. Add Solar to Your Home Insurance
In order to give yourself an added layer of security in case of something going wrong, contact your current home insurance provider and discuss adding your solar installation to your current insurance program.
It’s a good idea to have this extra level of insurance, over and above your warranty, just in case your warranty doesn’t cover a certain scenario.
Successfully Switching to Solar Energy
Covering all these bases can mean the difference between successfully switching to solar energy, or not.
Giving more information to your chosen supplier is always a good idea, they will decide what information is pertinent and what isn’t. A site visit is also most likely necessary so that you can be comforted that the installation is designed specifically for your home.
Head on over to the construction section of our website for more great home improvement content.
