Solar
Do Solar Panels Increase Home Value?
Perhaps one of the most common questions asked by homeowners who are considering solar panels is, do solar panels improve your home’s value? The short answer is: Yes, solar panels do increase your home’s value! According to research from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, solar panels can add an average of $18,324 to the value…
Solar
Solar Power Generation During Winter
The changing seasons have more of an effect on your energy needs than on the solar panels addressing them. While it’s reasonable to predict a lower efficiency rate from solar panels in the winter, it’s really the sun itself—and less so the weather conditions on the ground—governing how well solar paneling powers your home and…
Solar
Solar Energy Bills: Understanding the Impact and Savings
Most home improvement projects, including solar panel installations, are started and completed during the spring or fall seasons—when the weather is more comfortable and predictable. As homeowners watch their utility bills steadily rise as the winter months give way to spring, lower solar energy bills become especially enticing. In a March 2021 Modernize survey, 40…
Siding
How To Evaluate Contractors’ Siding Quotes
Comparing contractor quotes is an important step in the journey to replace the siding on your home, whether after damage or as part of a home improvement project. According to a recent Modernize survey, 63 percent of homeowners compare three to four contractor estimates before starting a project. Evaluating multiple siding quotes not only helps…
Solar
Solar Panel Installation Process: What to Expect
You have done extensive research, decided that solar paneling is a good choice for your home, and are looking to hire a great solar contractor. Congratulations! You are now ready to begin the process of solar panel installation. Like any home renovation, the solar panel installation process will vary depending on your home’s unique attributes,…
Solar
Do Solar Panels Work in the Shade? What to Ask Your Contractor
Assessing contractor quotes is an important step in the journey to increase the value of your home with solar panels. Evaluating multiple solar panel quotes helps homeowners scope their budget and encourages contractors to be competitive with their pricing, which is especially significant in today’s solar energy market. It’s important to understand your project’s unique parameters…
Siding
Should You Install a Housewrap Under Siding?
Housewrap stirs up a lot of confusion. Does it prevent moisture? Inhibit mold? Help prevent drafts? It does all three. Depending on how it’s hung, housewrap can either act as a moisture or wind barrier. So, should you install housewrap under the siding? Read on to find out. When used to slow winds, its job…
Siding
What Siding Is the Most Fire-Resistant?
Most of us prefer not to think of our homes as piles of kindling. But accidents do happen — and experts believe that wildfires may be on the rise. In fact, studies have confirmed that the western states are indeed experiencing a new age of fire outbreaks, mainly due to deforestation and climate change. While…
Solar
Solar Power in Winter: Save Money and Energy
If you’re watching your utility bills climb and wondering whether solar is finally worth it, you’re not alone — and the off-season may be the smartest time to make your move. Most homeowners assume spring is the right time to kick off a solar project, but winter and fall installations come with real advantages: shorter…