Many homeowners conscious of scarce resources and keen on renewable energy have switched to solar power.  Governments around the world are encouraging and sometimes incentivising the switch.  Not all homes are suitable for solar panels, or the weight of additional equipment needed to capture the sun’s energy. Here is a short guide to help you assess the suitability of your home for solar energy capture.

Switching to Solar Power? What to consider

As global temperatures rise, renewable energy is fundamental to powering the world as we move away from fossil fuels. A great way homeowners can help combat greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our collective dependence on fossil fuels is by switching to solar energy.

However, we know that figuring out the cost of solar in a given area can be confusing and frustrating. That’s why my team at EcoWatch created this guide to help people determine the cost of solar in their area and the best ways to pay for it:

Cost of Solar Panels in 2022: What to Expect

Switching electricity providers to renewable sources, aka solar power, could be a pivotal decision in your home life. Before you think about putting panels on your roof and drawing power from the sun, consider these points first.

Solar panels and roof durability 

Before thinking about joining the bandwagon of solar power-using homeowners, you should first assess the durability of your roofs. While it is true that there is an option to install solar panels on the ground with the help of posts, roof panels give the best service, they are less expensive. Moreover they are more effective when it comes to capturing the sun rays necessary to power up all your appliances and other electronic devices.

However, if you’re roof is really old, it’s best to have it checked for rot or faults before having someone install solar panels. Better yet, change your roofing first. That way you’ll be sure that you won’t encounter any problems during and even after installation.

Budget constraints

Even if you have a solid roof for your solar system, that doesn’t mean you should jump the gun when it comes to switching to green energy. Why? Well, to be honest, it’s because solar power costs more upfront than you would think. It’s not unreasonably expensive, but it can be cost-prohibitive for some families on a tight budget.

You can’t simply switch to solar power on a whim unless you’ve got a load of cash sitting idly under your bed or in the bank. Although, the caveat for this is that solar power gets cheaper in the long run. Plus it’s healthier for your family and for the environment as a whole, so that ought to be worth it.

Installation requirements to generate solar energy

Whether you choose to put solar systems on top of your roof or on the ground, getting solar panels installed on your home is not easy. This means you have to consider installation requirements for the whole thing. If you’re somewhat of a DIY guy then no problem, but, of course, if not, you’re better having a professional over to do the dirty work for you. Plus, it’s a safety hazard on its own if you try to meddle with the solar panels. After all, it’s meant to power up your home. So it does have some serious electrical power which can be dangerous if incorrectly installed.

Maintenance and troubleshooting requirements

Aside from installation, solar panels also need a bit of tender loving care from time to time. You must consider who you’re going to team up with for maintenance (either monthly or minimum 6 times a year). If there is no one local to fix or troubleshoot solar power concerns, and you’re not a handyman or electrician, then perhaps it’s not yet time for you to get a solar power system in your home.

Solar power reliability – Possible issues

Regardless of how amazing a tool is, it is bound to have some issues, too. And solar panels are not excluded from this risk. Despite tapping renewable energy, solar panels in America and abroad have been known to have some reliability issues from time to time. Understand and come to terms with these issues before starting your journey so that you won’t have any regrets.

Length of stay in current home

Perhaps the biggest considerations for installing solar panels is how long you plan to stay in your current home. Solar panels are valuable but the hefty upfront costs mean ROI happens after a few years or so. This means you have to think long and hard about your future in your current home.

If you’re building the home in which you’ll be living, and can consider it as your forever home, then, by all means, switch to solar! But if not, then do your research and figure out if it’s a necessary investment.

It’s always a good idea to switch to renewable resources for your home. But that doesn’t mean you can simply go through it without proper research and weighing the pros and cons. Becoming a responsible homeowner takes more than just getting solar power. It’s about knowing when it’s the right time to make the switch.

HANDY REFERENCES ABOUT REAL ESTATE AND MAINTAINING PROPERTY

At Housesitmatch.com we like to offer useful and practical articles on topics for our readers. In this selection we offer you a number of suitable pieces from our own blog on renovating and maintaining a home.

Maintaining a sustainable lifestyle at home

Switching to solar – The big benefits

Ideas to help you establish a new home quickly

Housesitters keep pets safe at home and save money

What a housesitter does – Top 10 responsibilities