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13 Benefits of Harnessing Solar Energy for Your Home

 

Over the past several decades, massive advancements were made in renewable energy sources. Making renewable energy a viable source of heat and electricity for homes has been the focus of many forward-thinking green energy leaders and providers.

One of the greatest advancements has been the technology of solar energy. Harnessing solar energy is more than a nice idea — it’s now a reality in thousands of homes in several countries around the world. Many of these countries have relied on solar power as their primary energy source for decades.

Today’s solar energy prices have dropped by as much as 80% since 2008 largely due to increased demand, wider availability, and better system efficiency. With more efficient and cost effective ways of capturing and storing solar energy, it’s possible for any residential home to reap the benefits of this renewable resource.

Who Can Use Solar Energy?

Many people still have reservations about using solar energy to heat and power their homes. There is a common misconception that a solar energy system is a luxury and not affordable for the average household. Many people think of solar energy systems as viable only for commercial and industrial properties. The truth, however, is that solar energy has come a long way, and today it is much more affordable, leading many residences to switch to solar.

Solar energy is the third most commonly used form of renewable energy today behind hydro and wind power. It is estimated that solar energy is now used in over one million American homes. Lower costs of producing solar energy and the increase in its production efficiency have led to its gain in popularity.

As the demand for solar energy in homes continues to rise, the costs of installing and storing solar energy in the average home are reducing continuously as well.

Harnessing Solar Energy

Solar energy is generated using photovoltaic panels or solar thermal technology. Photovoltaic panels are designed to capture sunlight, and then convert that sunlight into usable energy. Solar thermal systems use sunlight to generate heat for your home.

To begin harnessing solar energy, you need a solar thermal or photovoltaic system installed somewhere on your property. They can be installed on your roof, in your yard, or through a solar thermal storage tank.

Hydroflex Systems, Inc., an industry leader, can install a solar thermal energy system in your residence. The system is a thermal water tank powered by solar energy that provides a reliable heat source and ongoing heat storage for your home.

Top Benefits of Solar Energy

Solar energy appeals to many families around the world because it offers ongoing financial, environmental and social benefits that are immediate and long-term.

There are many advantages to harnessing solar energy in your residence. If you’re interested in capturing and storing solar energy for your own home’s electricity, consider the following top benefits.

1. Save Money on Electric Bill

The average cost for solar energy today is now only five cents per kilowatt hour on average. In some regions like Austin, TX, solar energy has become so economically viable that the cost has dropped down to four cents per kilowatt hour. As an industry, solar will continue to become more affordable as efficiency improves and demand rises.

Depending on the system, solar energy can save your household hundreds of dollar in monthly electricity costs. Over the course of a year, you could potentially save thousands of dollars on your electricity bill. In the long-term, savings per household average about $20,000 in utility costs over the course of a 20-year period. Some locations may experience larger savings depending on the type of system installed and what the energy is used for.

Many families find the savings incredibly appealing when planning ahead for retirement, their children’s education funds, family vacations, and other important life goals and events.

2. Save Immediately

To minimize the initial investment costs, power purchasing agreements and solar leasing plans are available so you can start your energy savings from the beginning. Options involve the solar energy developer or provider installing the solar power system but maintaining ownership over it. In return, the residence doesn’t have to pay for the purchase and installation costs. The residence simply leases the technology from the provider, and pays the provider for the electricity consumption.

With flexible and supportive plans, you’ll only be responsible for paying the energy costs as you would with your ordinary electricity bill.

3. Generate Additional Income

A not-as-well-known fact about solar energy is that it not only saves on your utility bills, but it can actually be a source of additional income for your household as well. Some systems, depending on their size, can produce solar energy so efficiently that many households won’t consume all the power that’s generated.

An excess amount of energy is produced in many solar powered households, so local grids arrange with homeowners to purchase the energy surplus. In many locations, systems are designed to feed the energy back to the local grids and earn an income for doing so.

4. Increase Property Value

Some solar energy systems can have a significant initial set-up cost, so homes that already have the infrastructure in place for generating and storing solar energy improve the resale value of the home. Research has shown that the average home’s value can increase by about $6,000 per each kilowatt of solar power added to the home. Depending on the size of the system installed, your home could possibly be worth an additional $9,000 to $12,000 or more at time of resale.

Many families today consider solar energy as an added-value feature of their home and are willing to pay for homes that already have the systems installed. Another study found that homes with solar systems already installed sell 15% to 20% faster than homes that don’t include solar energy systems.

Results will vary depending on the size of your home, your local market, as well as the size and caliber of the system installed. If you’re thinking about installing a solar energy system, be sure to consider the long-term benefits when it eventually comes time to sell your home.

5. Recoup Purchase and Installation Costs Quickly

There are many financing options available for installing a solar energy system. Families can choose to lease them or finance them. Purchasing the system can be a large initial investment, but with the amount of savings on utility expenses, as well as the potential to generate income from the system itself, most systems pay for themselves in as little as five years.

Many people find peace of mind knowing they can own their solar energy system, which creates energy independence and security.

6. Benefit From Tax Credits and Incentives

Solar energy is a long-term vision for the future of the planet, and there are a number of incentives, rebates and tax credits available at the federal, state and local levels. These incentives encourage homeowners to ease the burden of the initial investment and invest in solar energy systems.

The federal level offers a 30% reimbursement on the system’s total installation and equipment costs. You could save $7,500 on a $25,000 solar energy system. California, Texas, Florida, New York and many more are now offering hundreds of different incentives and tax credits for residences that install accredited solar energy systems.

Before purchasing your system, be sure to research all the subsidies and incentives available to you in your local area. The savings could be quite significant and further reduce the time it takes to recoup your return on investment.

7. Be Assured by Fixed Energy Costs

Families today struggle with the rising costs of powering and heating their homes. Energy companies commonly fluctuate their pricing, making it difficult for households to rely on their providers and set their monthly budgets.

Solar energy, on the other hand, involves a fixed cost based on the amount of energy generated at what price. Prices are predicted for at least the next 20 years, providing families with the assurance they can rely on for their energy source at a fixed rate.

8. Protect the Environment

Beyond financial benefits, installing a solar energy system in your home is the right thing to do for the environment. Solar is an all-natural and renewable energy source with an endless supply. Unlike fossil fuels, solar energy isn’t harvested at the expense of the planet.

Generating your own energy source within your own property is contributing to a viable solution to the problem our planet currently faces with our reliance on non-sustainable, non-renewable sources of energy. Solar energy is so abundant that in one day there is 2,500 times more sunlight hitting the United States than the entire daily energy use of the country.

9. Eliminate Carbon Emissions

In addition to harnessing solar energy as a renewable resource, the system is also zero-emission. This is important for reducing your household carbon footprint, which is largely made up of energy and water consumption.

The average household solar power system offsets an estimated 100,000 pounds of carbon dioxide over the course of 20 years. This is the equivalent amount of fuel burned by driving 100,000 miles in a typical vehicle.

Generating and storing solar energy for your household keeps the air clean and limits the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced in your area.

10. Support Job Creation

As renewable energy becomes more reliable, the demand will only continue to grow. This growth impacts individual households and supports the economy in many ways. One of the most encouraging aspects of solar energy as an industry is that it creates additional jobs. Solar energy creates two to three times more jobs than coal or natural gas resource industries.

According to the National Solar Jobs Census report from 2014, there were an additional 31,000 jobs created in the U.S. solar sector in 2014 over the previous year. The same report showed that the solar industry as a whole in the U.S. employs over 170,000 individuals. Results indicate that employment is growing an estimated 20 times faster in the solar industry as compared to national average rate of employment growth.

By purchasing a solar energy system for your household, you can take pride in knowing that your investment is growing the economy and creating jobs in your area and across the country.

11. Be Protected by Performance Guarantees

Solar energy systems are a large long-term investment that may seem risky to the average person. However, the industry has taken steps to assure buyers that it’s a secured investment by eliminating much of the risk.

Solar energy systems are backed by performance guarantees that include extensive warranties of anywhere between 20 and 25 years. As an industry standard, manufacturers guarantee that the solar energy system will still operate at 80% even after 25 years of use.

Beyond these extensive warranties, buyers can rest assured that most systems have a long lifespan and can continue to produce many years after the warranty date.

12. Gain Energy Independence

For many people, generating their own independent energy source is a liberating feeling. No longer is your household relying on utility companies and contributing to creating fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are derived from finite resources, and they create volatile market conditions, which can make things tough for families financially. Many families are choosing to switch to solar as an independent and infinite energy source.

Being part of the collective energy independence movement can be a rewarding social benefit for your community and for the country.

13. Set It and Forget It

Solar energy systems and storage are overall very convenient for those who use them. Many people may feel as though harnessing solar energy is very elaborate, complicated or time consuming and may require a lot of monitoring. However, the opposite is true. Once a solar system is installed, it works on its own without many ongoing responsibilities or much work on the part of the owner.

In addition, solar energy systems produce no noise at all. They are completely quiet, and you won’t even notice their presence.

Solar Energy for Your Home

If you want to start capturing and storing solar energy for your home, solar thermal water storage may be the solution for you. By using sunlight to generate heat, your home can be a reliable, cost-effective source of heat for your household.

Hydroflex Systems provide a fast and reliable way to store and reuse solar thermal energy in your home. Our hot water storage tanks combined with solar thermal collection technology produce an energy efficient heating system. Heat stored in a solar thermal system can be used for household hot water, space heating or radiant floor heating.

With low installation costs and minimal maintenance required, you can start harnessing solar energy today to heat your home.