Reasons More Homeowners are Going Solar
Cost savings, a clean environment, guaranteed performance, tax cuts – these are just some of the reasons American homeowners are switching to solar. It’s a powerful, unstoppable source of energy that both residential and commercial customers are enjoying in record numbers. Here are some facts.
- Real-time savings on utilities
Saving money on monthly heating bills has always been one of the biggest reasons homeowners transition to using solar energy. It’s not uncommon to see a reduction of as much as $100 per month when moving off the traditional power grid.
- Positive environmental impact
Not only do solar systems run on a totally renewable energy source (the sun), they produce no carbon dioxide emissions as do some other energy fuels. Second only to China, the United States produces carbon dioxide emissions at a rate of nearly 18% per year. Going solar is one way homeowners can help reduce that dangerous number.
- Add value to your home
Various studies have been done on homes with solar power vs. homes without it, and the general consensus is that solar-powered homes often sell for 15% to 17% more than non-solar homes, and they are bought about 20% faster. Switching to solar is an advantageous move if you have plans to one day put your home on the market.
- Energy independence
The U.S. simply isn’t producing enough energy to power our lives, and eventually we’ll completely run out of natural gas, oil, coal and other fossil fuels. Our dependence on imported energy fuels isn’t good for our economy or our security. The sun, on the other hand, which powers solar panels, is always with us and free for everyone. Solar advocates point to energy independence as one of the most important advantages of tapping into solar power.
- Tax incentives
The federal solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) has resulted in a huge increase in solar installations in the United States since its inception in 2006. A credit of 30% can be applied by residential customers on their tax returns when they have a solar system installed. Originally slated to expire at the end of 2006, the ITC was extended through 2023, with the credit percentage dropping in 2020. Ask your solar provider about this incentive.
- Stabilized, predictable costs
With public utilities, you never know exactly what’s going to happen with prices. You can, however, be confident that they’ll go up. With solar panels, you know your installation costs, you can determine how much electricity they’ll generate, and the price of that electricity can be predicted accurately 20 years into the future.
- Performance guarantee
A 20- or 25-year warranty is standard from manufacturers of solar panels, with a guarantee of 80% performance beyond 25 years. The truth is, it’s not uncommon for quality solar panels to produce significant amounts of electricity for even 30 to 40 years. With solar, you know all the numbers up front and don’t have to ready yourself for “surprises” down the line.
Burlington Fireplace & Solar can answer your questions about a solar installation and explain the benefits of converting to this powerful source of clean energy. Visit us at 857 Milwaukee Ave. in Burlington, or give us a call at (262) 763-3522.