Solar Panels: Can They Add Value To A Home?
Filed Under (Green Energy) by Get Your Green On on 26-08-2009
If you are considering installing a solar energy system in your home, you know can be a important decision and investment, and you may wonder if it will make your home more valuable. The answer depends on several factors. Below are some things to think about.
Solar Energy: Makes Home Economic Sense
First, how knowledgeable is your area of the benefits and merits of using solar power? If you reside in an area where many of people are concerned about and participate in the green living movement, potential buyers might be willing to pay a highter price for a house that already comes with a solar electric system. But if your community has little eco-friendly involvement, for example there’s not much recycling or concern for environmental issues, buyers may be indifferent to the cost and work that went into installing your solar panels.
But even where there is utter apathy for green living, most people can appreciate the benefit of saving money. Does your home have a history of energy savings over a number of years? If you can show a record of your energy savings over the past few years, you will be able to demonstrate how the solar panels you installed are an asset to new buyers. With heating and cooling bills of hundreds of dollars a month for some families, saving on utilities can be an important consideration.
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But how would you be able to prove energy savings if you have only recently installed your solar panel system? You can call your local electric utility company and request a statistical projection that shows how much your electric bill will decrease. You could also obtain information from the company that installed your solar panels. Most of the larger solar installation companies have marketing departments that gather that kind of data to show people how solar panels will generate energy savings for them.
You may also consider the following: How common are solar energy systems in your housing market? If solar panel installations are common, your real estate agent will have statistical data showing the difference in selling prices between houses with solar panels and those that use only a public utility service. If you can get your hands on this kind of data, you will have some great proof to present to a potential buyer.
Try Installing This Handyman’s Method And Save Even More Money On Power costs
I think interest is growing in sustainable green energy generation and solar energy systems and that is got to be good for adding value to house prices.
Here are some basic tips if you are thinking of installing a solar energy system.
1. Recommendations and quotes
Ask friends, family neighbours or colleagues who have had home solar photo-voltaic systems installed. Can they share their experiences or give you a reference? I
2. Have realistic price expectations
If you are paying less than many other similar size systems quoted you may find poor quality equipment and/or poor installation work. Quality equipment and installation isn’t cheap and, like all other purchases, you often get what you pay for.
3. What is in the manufacturer’s warranty?
Take note of what guarantees the manufacturer offers. If the manufacturer is reputable and the warranty period on the panels is at least 25 years you can expect your solar system to last long enough to pay for itself and make you a profit.
4. Solar panel certifications and efficiency
This applies to all solar panel purchases , but especially to the purchases that could attract a government rebate. The certification on solar panels indicates the type of testing that has been done on them.
5. Decide on what type of panels
If you have limited roof space you will need highly efficient mono-crystalline solar panels. I If you have partial shading then thin film amorphous solar panels may be more appropriate..
6. Mounting of Solar Panels
Make sure that the roof, ground mounting or tracking system is engineer certified for the area you are in. The mounting system is a very vital component and some suppliers skimp on this item..
7. Efficiency of inverter
A power inverter is the box between the panels and your appliances that converts DC electricity from solar panels to AC; suitable for use in your home. Power Inverter efficiency will have a direct impact on the amount of time it takes for a system to pay for itself.
8 Avoid high pressure sales people
If someone is in your home for more than an hour and they spent most of that time talking about the system, rather than surveying your home, the sales person is probably trying to soften you up for a very high price. Try not to make decisions on the spot. If it’s as good as they claim, it will still be a good deal tomorrow.
Best of luck in your purchase
Regards Graham
.-= Graham@home solar power ´s last blog ..Solar Pool Heating , Solar Concepts =-.
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