Currently, most homeowners are installing solar panels on their homes, and for good reasons. When you generate electricity on your own with solar, you can enjoy so many benefits, like:
- You can reduce monthly bills.
- You can increase the value of your property.
- You can help the environment by minimizing greenhouse emissions.
Now solar is more accessible than ever. One more interesting fact is that the cost of solar has reduced and solar technology has become an efficient alternative.
One question you may hear from builders or installers if you’re considering solar for your newly constructed home is whether your home is solar ready. But what does it actually mean and what might require your attention before going solar?
You should look at the efficiency of your home.
Want to maximize solar savings at home? It’s wise to consider an energy audit before beginning the project. If you’re building a new home, you should make your home as energy-efficient as possible.
However, energy audit at home isn’t necessary before going solar. It can help you know the options to minimize your energy consumption. As a result, you’ll save on the upfront cost of installing a solar panel system at home.
Another thing that will save you money, in the long run, is to electrify your home by switching to electric heat and appliances. This way, you will cut down on your home fuel costs and install a large solar panel system to generate electricity for your home.
You should consider the material, durability, and the structure of the roof.
Are you considering the installation of solar systems on the rooftop? There’re a few factors that will impact the solar readiness of your home:
Durability –
Does your roof require replacement in the next 5-10 years? It’s better to consider roofing before installing solar panels. Therefore, you can avoid the cost of uninstalling and reinstalling the panels down the line. In fact, the panels will extend the life of your roof by protecting them from the environmental elements.
Structure –
When it comes to installing solar, the roof structure plays a key role. If you want to install your system on the roof, you should take a look at the structure of your roof beforehand.
Material –
Some roofing materials are really harder to install than others. For this reason, it might be hard to find an installer willing to do the job with harder roofing materials.
If you’re building a new home and looking to go solar, it’s a good idea to avoid slate and cedar shingles like roofing materials. Both are more fragile in nature.
Space –
Going solar in your home requires you to have an ample amount of space, especially if you utilize a lot of electricity for residential purposes.
Are you looking to install solar systems like solar water heaters, etc. at your new construction? Just avoid things like skylights, vents, and dormers on the specific parts of the roof where you plan to place panels. But solar systems on the uninterrupted part of the roof are easier to install.
You should consider your roof’s accessibility to uninterrupted sunlight.
Does the sun shine on your roof throughout the day? If yes, then it’s a perfect candidate for the installation of solar panels. However, the shade on your roof or your property might impact on your system’s electricity production negatively.
A little bit of shade may not be bad for going solar, depending on the direction the panels face. You should check whether the shade remains in the picture during peak energy production hours. You can use the latest technology like micro-inverters to maximize the production.
You should know the current electric setup of your home.
Do you own an older electrical system at home? Your solar installer might recommend an upgrade of the existing electric panel prior to installation. The inverter of the solar system will be connected to your electric breaker. Depending on the size of the inverter and your solar panels, you may require a larger electric setup for safety reasons.
Final Consideration –
Now you may have an idea about how to make your home solar ready. What’s next? Are you interested in shopping solar kits for your newly-built home or an existing one?
Shop for the best solar systems, including solar water heating systems at Solar Tubs today and take advantage of solar in the long run. Whether you want to buy a solar water heater or a solar pool heating system, you’ll find the right solution for your home at Solar Tubs!