Are you thinking about joining the millions of people that have already switched to solar panels? It’s a great way to give back to the environment while shaving some money off your monthly expenses.
That is unless your roof or location isn’t right for them. There’s no point in going solar if your area doesn’t see enough sunshine.
You also have to decide if your energy needs make having panels worth the cost.
These are only a few things that you should consider before you call an installer to come out. Keep reading for a complete list of things that you need to know.
1. Your Roof
You can’t make the most out of the advantages of solar panels if your roof doesn’t allow it. If your rooftop is shaded by trees, having panels isn’t going to do you much good.
Northwest-facing roofs also can’t absorb enough sunshine to make going solar worth the cost. Granted, no matter the slant of your roof, you’ll still be able to reap some of the rewards of having panels, you just won’t save as much power as you could.
2. How Long You’re Going to Live in Your House
Renewable energy is something that many homebuyers care about. That means calling solar installers to come out and place panels on your roof might help you sell your house a little faster. Some buyers might even be willing to pay a little more for it.
This being said, it will take about 5 years for you to see any return from your initial investment. So, if you’re planning to move anytime soon, we recommend waiting and going through the entire solar installation process when you arrive at your new home.
3. Your Energy Needs
Take a moment to think about what time you typically use the most electricity. If you have a home office set up and kids who are running around during the afternoon, the answer is most likely day.
If you’re the kind of person who’s never at home, then the answer is at night when you’re unwinding.
Having this bit of information will allow you to sort of estimate what size solar panels will suit your needs the most.
4. The Cost
The average solar panel cost isn’t cheap by any means. The good news is that you have financing options.
If you don’t have the cash to pay for your panels in your pocket, you could take out a loan or lease with the solar installers. There are also government programs out there that can help you out.
Knowing how you want to pay for your system will make it easier to narrow down your search when you’re looking for companies.
Still Considering Going Solar?
Are you still considering going solar? As you can see, there’s a lot that you need to know before you start shopping around.
We hope that reading this article has made the whole process clearer for you. For more tips that will help you save energy around your home, visit the Household & Real Estate section of our blog.
