A solar energy system is an excellent investment you can make for your home. You get to enjoy minimal energy bills, reliable, clean, and renewable power, as well as tax rebates depending on your state of residence. Homeowners with limited space prefer placing their solar panels on the rooftops to save the available area for a recreation spot, garden, and other purposes.
Benefits of Placing Solar Panels on Your Roof
The demand for solar energy has skyrocketed recently, and most homeowners continually embrace it. Apart from being a reliable source of renewable energy, solar power has various other financial benefits, including:
Return on Investment
With state and federal tax credits, decreased energy bills, and potential rebates, solar panels have the potential to pay for themselves. Installing solar panels allows you to save on utility bills in the long run. Most solar companies offer homeowners financing options that qualify for the federal tax credit.
They Are Environmentally Friendly
One of the most critical benefits of solar energy is its environmentally friendly nature. You can harness renewable energy from the sun by installing solar panels with the help of a professional. Fossil fuels are a non-renewable source of energy that pollute the environment during combustion. The use of renewable energy sources helps preserve the earth’s resources.
Tax Credits
Everyone loves tax credits, especially when they are easy to calculate and sizeable. Tax credits are a dollar-for-dollar reduction in the income tax you otherwise owe. They apply when financing or purchasing solar panels during the initial installation. However, you are not entitled to a tax credit if the home you buy has preexisting panels. When calculating the overall tax credit, you must determine how the credits and rebates affect the federal tax credit.
What to Look for in a Solar or Roofing Contractor
Materials
Always keep in mind that different solar roof companies use different materials when you are comparing quotes. Ensure that the hired professional uses quality accessories and branded materials and avoid those contractors who downgrade materials to save money. Solar panels are intricate, so do not skimp on materials and use branded products.
Expertise
Regardless of how good a roofing company is, you must assess the team tasked to install the panels on your roof. In other words, you should look for a reputable solar company in your area. Request to know the years the team has done the installation and determine whether the roofing company has its own team or utilizes subcontractors. If the company uses subcontractors, you must ask if the employees are insured with a worker’s compensation plan. Ensure the initial project is handled well to minimize the possibility of potential issues down the road.
Warranties
Establish the kind of manufacturer and artistry warranties offered by the contractor. Ensure the roofing company provides both multi-year craft and manufacturer warranties. Ask relevant questions, including whether the warranty can be voided, whether they are transferrable, and how to register a warranty claim to clarify details of the warranty process.
What to Do Before Installing Solar Panels on the Roof
Reinstalling or removing solar panels when doing a roofing project is considered an unnecessary expense. Ensure your roof is in good shape before installing solar panels. Below is a list of tips that indicates your rooftop is solar-ready.
Consider a New Roof
Consider replacing your roof if it is at least five years old. It is, however, optional, considering that most roofs can last at least 20 years while solar panels go for at most 30 years. If you are planning to live in a house for a long time, you can install solar panels on a brand-new quality roof. If you have plans to spend at most 20 years in your home, you can consider a roof tune-up as preventative maintenance to minimize early roof failure and leakages.
Have Your Roof Inspected
Hire a seasoned roofing expert to assess the condition of your roof before installing solar panels. Such professionals evaluate whether the current roof was properly installed. They also note any issues requiring repairs and estimate the years your rooftop has left.
Removing and reinstalling solar panels is costly at times. Ensure you pair your solar power projects and roof replacement within a few years of each other and hire a seasoned local contractor with in-house crews to minimize the initial installation costs.
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