Solar
Passive Versus Active Solar Hot Water Heaters: Which Is Better?
As a homeowner, having options is great — you wouldn’t want just one paint color to choose from, would you? But it also makes the purchasing process a little bit more complex, especially when it comes to important decisions, like saving energy throughout your home. And when you decide to offset some of your utility…
Solar
What Kind of Solar Hot Water Heater Is Best for My Climate?
By now, you probably know that hot water heating eats up a big part of your energy budget. In fact, the Department of Energy pegs that number at around 17 percent of a home’s energy expenses—that’s a huge chunk of your utility spending. So how can you get a unit that won’t bulk up your…
Solar
Do Certain Roof Surfaces Increase Solar Potential?
Ready to hit the button on solar? You might want to think about replacing your roof, too. A lot of homeowners find themselves contemplating a roof replacement when they go solar. After all, it only makes sense to get your roof in great shape before you slap panels over it. And that way, you won’t…
Solar
If you’ve looked into installing solar, you may have realized that your installation won’t be easy on your roof. The majority of solar mounts are attached directly to a home’s rafters, which means cutting into the roof. While installers generally take care to seal and flash holes to prevent leaks and water damage, those incisions…
Solar
What Are the Best Solar Panels for Colder Climates?
Live in a climate with cold winters? Then you might think that solar is out of your reach—after all, it works best in the sun right? Well, not necessarily. Research shows that solar panels actually harvest energy more efficiently in chillier weather. Furthermore, when there’s snow on the ground, your solar output may even improve.…
Solar
There are dozens of reasons why installing residential solar panels is a great idea. Perhaps the most popular is it will save you money on your electricity bill. In fact, the allure of solar panels for most homeowners is that over their lifespan, they will pay for themselves. To do that, most homeowners will need…
Solar
Understanding the Quality of Different Solar Panels
Every day it seems like solar companies are releasing the most efficient solar panels to date. With so many companies making that claim, it’s difficult to wade through the noise. One useful resource to help you choose is the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), who created standards for manufacturing solar panels under the ISO 9000…
Solar
Installing solar panels is a big investment, even with tax incentives to ease the financial strain. Because of the investment— and their constant exposure to the elements— solar panels need to be able to withstand extreme temperatures, from the blistering hot summers of Arizona, to the bitter cold winters of upstate New York. But how…