Helping You Make the Switch to Residential Solar
If you spent any time outside this summer, then you know – climate change is real. With every passing summer being hotter and more humid than the previous one and not enough being done to halt the change, we are fast approaching what scientists are calling the point of no return.
It’s more important than ever for us to start making necessary changes to slow the progress of climate change to the point that hopefully, one day our collective efforts will help heal the planet and our atmosphere.
For the average American homeowner concerned about climate change, it might feel like there’s not much you can do to make a difference. But one of the biggest ways a homeowner can help fight back against global warming is to go solar, and here’s why.
Solar’s Impact on Global Warming
The United States produces roughly 5.27 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year, a good amount of which comes from the burning of fossil fuels for energy purposes. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, about 0.85 pounds of CO2 emissions are produced per kWh used. To get a better idea of how this breaks down to a home-by-home basis, let’s take a look at the average American home and its energy consumption.
The average American home using approximately 909 kWh per month of energy. Using the equation above, that equals just over 772 pounds of carbon dioxide being produced – for one month! If you look at the yearly totals, we use about 10,909 kWh per home per year, at a cost of over 9,272 pounds of CO2 being released into the atmosphere.
Installing even a modest-sized solar system on your house can significantly reduce your home’s carbon dioxide production, by as much as 80%. And if your system can provide 100% of your home’s energy, then you can make an even greater impact. The environmental impact of solar is huge because the affect is cumulative. Carbon emissions will continue to drop as more and more houses make the shift to solar’s clean and sustainable energy.
Additional Benefits of Going Solar
While going solar to combat global warming might be the most socially responsible reason, not all homeowners are spurred into action by environmentalism. For others, one of solar’s additional benefits might be a stronger selling point, such as lower energy bills and increased home value.
For many homeowners, having lower monthly utility bills is one of the most promising incentives for going solar. Exactly how much you can expect to save depends on the following:
- Your home’s electricity consumption
- Your local energy rates
- The size of your solar system
- The size and angle of your roof
- The number of hours of direct sunlight your system receives
- Whether you purchase or lease your system
Solar is a long-term, low-risk investment that can help you achieve lower energy bills and on average, your system will pay for itself within eight to ten years. With most systems designed to last 30 years or longer, you can potentially enjoy as many as 22 years of free energy for your home before you need to make any upgrades or significant repairs.
Another popular reason why homeowners choose to have solar installed is that the technology increases a home’s value on the market. According to a study performed by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, solar increased the average market value of a home by about $15,000.
The Time to Go Solar is Now
Who wouldn’t want to enjoy lower energy bills and increased home value while at the same time helping the planet fight back against climate change? The fact is, only solar energy can provide your household with such incredible benefits. And, with federal tax incentives soon being phased out, there’s no time like the present to take advantage of the additional savings made available to you from the government. For more information about going solar, contact your local solar installer.