Are you a Missouri homeowner? Are you wondering about the value of solar panel installation? Believe it or not, solar panels can do more than help the environment. They are an excellent investment that can help you save money on your energy bills and provide safe, clean heat for your home. Here’s why it may be time for you to install solar panels.
1. Clean Energy
Solar panels derive pure energy from the sun, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions and shrinking your carbon footprint.
Heating sources like coal and natural gas cause air pollution and contribute to climate change. The sun actually provides more energy than we could need. Environmentally conscious folks will find solar panels to be a fine contribution to the well-being of our green earth.
2. Utility Cost Savings
The solar panel installation cost is an investment. In fact, it can be anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000. Yet over time, you’ll be saving more money than you spend because of the reduced cost of your energy bills.
You’ll notice that you’re monthly heating bills are significantly reduced due to solar energy. Over time, you could save an average of around $20,000 on utility bills. Your savings could be more depending upon the way your home is facing.
3. Tax Incentives
Your monthly heating bill isn’t the only place where you’ll notice big savings. In fact, there’s currently a 26% tax credit for solar panel installation.
Tax credits aren’t windfalls, but they’re money that you won’t have to pay in income taxes as long as you’ve spent it on solar-panel related expenses. Be sure to save your receipts when you get solar as it could result in serious savings at tax time!
In the state of Missouri, you’ll also be exempt from any property tax increases that result from solar panel installation. There are also additional rebates from local utility companies.
4. Increased Home Value
The savings you’ll get from investing in solar panels goes beyond what you’ll save on our electrical and tax bills. If you purchase solar panels, you can increase your home’s value by 4.1%.
Buyers know the value of a home with solar panels. They know they’ll be getting clean, environmentally-friendly heat and lower utility costs when they purchase your home. Investing in solar panels could also help your home to sell faster.
5. You Can Use Solar Energy Day and Night
Solar net metering and battery storage have made it possible to use solar energy even in the evening. It’s becoming increasingly affordable for solar companies to make this option available. If you’re interested in solar energy, you won’t need to worry about what you’re going to do at night.
6. Control Over Your Energy
Blackouts are often a concern for Americans who use traditional energy sources. When the power goes out, you and your family won’t be able to work, relax, or eat in the way you’re used to.
With solar energy, you’ll use a battery to store up energy each day and gain more energy independence. It can give you peace of mind, especially if you live in an area where there are frequent storms and power outages.
Energy prices for traditional sources will continue to fluctuate depending upon supply and demand. With solar energy, however, you’ll have fairly stable energy costs for years to come.
7. Reducing Water Pollution
Believe it or not, most of the water pollution on earth comes from coal-fired power plants. An unbelievable amount of water is required to cool down the equipment used in these plants.
These plants, in turn, dump a lot of toxic metals into our waterways. The toxic water produced has been linked to a number of health problems, including cancer and neurological disorders.
Solar energy can decrease the amount of pollution created by traditional energy sources. It doesn’t require energy plants and relies on an unlimited supply.
8. Reducing Hazardous Waste
Nuclear waste is a product of traditional energy production that can be quite dangerous. It’s radioactive and can harm human health, as well as the environment.
Other waste products include coal ash and oil sludge. They contain harmful metals and are difficult to dispose of.
Solar power doesn’t require radioactive storage waste or the transportation of waste. If you’re worried about our energy sources harming the environment as well as our health, consider investing in solar energy.
9. Reducing Mining For Resources
Coal mining can actually increase the number of pollutants in the air. These include coal particles, methane, and carbon dioxide. Acid run-offs also pollute local waterways.
Solar energy can reduce our nation’s dependence on coal mining and thus make the environment safer for everyone.
When You’re Ready to Install Solar Panels
When you’ve decided that installing solar panels is the right thing for your home and the environment, it’s time to look for a local company to install them. Find someone with a good local track record and experience installing quality solar panels.
Read online reviews and ask for references before you hire a company. Make sure former clients are saying that they’re happy with their panels and that the job was done in a professional manner.
The right solar company for your home should be licensed and insured. And they’ll have a price that’s competitive with other Missouri outfits.
Shining On
The decision to install solar panels is one that will benefit your family, your budget, and the earth. You can feel great about your decision and continue saving money for years to come.
Don’t stop getting smart about solar panels now. For more information on quality solar energy in your area, contact us today.
