Evaluating Your Home’s Efficiency Ahead of a Home Solar System Installation

If you’ve been debating whether or not you should invest in a home solar system, you’re not alone. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that approximately one million homes by 2020 will have rooftop solar panels. And the owners of these homes went through the same contemplation that you’re going through now. Like with any significant investment in your home, it’s important to do your homework and base your decision on facts. This includes looking at your current total electricity usage and determining if you should implement any other efficiency measures.

The following are some considerations to explore:

Home energy audit

A great place to start when you’re in the early stages of planning a home solar system installation is with a home energy audit. This can help you understand where your home may be losing energy and what improvements you can make to increase efficiency.

Appliances and electronics

Take a walk around your home and make note of all the ways you’re currently consuming electricity. Are there improvements you can make? Switch to energy efficient lighting like LED light bulbs. Only plug in gadgets, devices, tools and other items when using them. And by all means, turn off TVs, computers and other electronics when they’re not in use.

Cooling and heating

Here in Arizona, cooling your home in the summer is a key consideration when evaluating the value of a home solar system. Since your cooling and heating needs (in the winter) will significantly impact the amount of solar energy you’ll need, it’s worth the effort to first shore up efficiency-depleting issues like an aging or malfunctioning HVAC system, insufficient insulation and gaps and cracks around windows and doors that cause conditioned air to escape.

Electricity bills

You’ll also want to take a look at your electricity bills over the course of at least one year to understand your energy consumption pattern. Your utility company may offer tools to help you with this review.

Once you have a sense of what you’re currently spending and where you can make adjustments, you can get a better idea of the true value of solar energy when it comes to your home. Learn more about evaluating the value of a home solar system by calling Cool Blew Solar – your local solar experts.

FAQ's

Is Solar Energy Expensive?

The size of your panel installation and the needs of your home will affect your costs. The average net cost of a 5.69kW system is $13,838 cash after 30% rebate (according to solar-estimate.org). An average-sized system can cost up to $35,000. Larger installations will require more hardware, planning and construction time. This can further increase costs. While solar panels are expensive, they have many distinct benefits. Cool Blew Electric & Solar’s experts can assess your situation and goals and recommend a cost-effective system to meet your needs.

How Much Can I Save By Installing Solar Panels?

An average-sized system (5 kilowatts) can reduce up to 50% of your monthly electricity bill. A 5.69kW system would offset 100% of your energy usage if your typical monthly bill is $138. Over a period of 20 years, these savings can add up to $30,000, based on your location and energy usage.

How Long Would It Take to Recoup My Solar Investment by Solar Energy Savings?

With a 5.69kW Solar system you would recoup your savings in 7 years and 2 months but with continuous Utility increases every year your Return and Investment will be much sooner.

What is a Solar Lease Program?

The Solar Lease Program has been one the most popular option that homeowners have chosen over the years. Solar Lease programs gives homeowners the opportunity to take advantage and put Solar on their homes and a guaranteed savings from their Utility for little to no money out of pocket. Most Leases are 20 year power guarantee from the solar provider and includes fixed monthly payments, no repair cost, fully insured and warrantied for the life of the system.

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