If your energy bill increased in 2020, you’re not alone. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the majority of people were stuck in their homes for longer than usual. These extended periods of home-time meant using energy during the day that wouldn’t have normally been used, resulting in higher bills. If you’re still going to be working from home in 2021, you should consider installing solar panels on your house. Not only will they lower energy costs significantly, but they are also good for the environment and they can seriously increase your home’s property value.
We’ll look at the top reasons you should go solar in 2021 and the many benefits you’ll enjoy from it.
Good For The Environment
Solar panels work by deriving pure, clean energy from the sun and converting that into usable energy. Currently, the majority of the world relies on coal or natural gas to provide heat and energy to their homes. These are problematic for a few reasons. First, they are burned to produce energy, and the gases emitted during this are incredibly harmful. They are the leading cause of air pollution and global warming which have a history of being detrimental to our health, and are hurting our planet and health again today.
If that weren’t bad enough, fossil fuels are also not infinite resources. Gas prices are constantly fluctuating and can increase at a moment’s notice. They are not sustainable, long-term energy solutions for our planet and we as a society should collectively begin using other, better resources.
While we wait for our governments and world leaders to slowly embrace solar energy, you should do your part and install solar panels in your own home or business.
Lower Energy Bills
If doing the environmentally responsible thing isn’t convincing enough, there is also a personal silver lining to going solar. Solar panels will cost money upfront to install, but they are a smart investment because they will significantly reduce energy bills in the long term. The amount can vary based on a number of factors, like what kind of climate you live in and what your local energy costs are. But overall, no matter where you are, you are guaranteed to save money eventually.
Solar panels work when sunlight hits the panels, creating an electric field. The electricity generated flows to a conductive wire, and this wire then transforms the energy into ‘AC’, which can power your home. Solar panels will continue to draw energy from the sun, even on cloudy days. The energy can also be stored, so on days when it’s not as consistently sunny, you can draw from the reserve from previously sunnier days.
Big Returns
Solar panels will continue paying off in the long run. Installing them can increase your property values by up to 4.1 percent. That’s because solar power is an increasingly popular energy choice for homes, and buyers are much more attracted to places that already have them in place. By installing them on your home, you can expect a higher return if you attempt to sell in the future.
Speaking of higher returns, installing solar panels on your house can also result in a federal income tax credit of up to 30 percent when you file taxes. That means if you spend $30,000 dollars on solar panels for your home, you can get back $10,000. Additionally, state and local rebates have been put in place that can add additional cuts to the installation price. There’s never been an easier and more affordable time to go solar.
Go Solar Today
There are tons of good reasons to go solar in 2021, and very few downsides from it. Solar energy is sustainable for long-term use, whereas fossil fuels are not. They will run out someday, so it’s best to begin harnessing the sun’s immense, clean and infinite energy now. Solar energy is also cost-effective and will reduce your bills significantly over the long term, and you can receive tax returns and rebates from installing them. If you ever plan on selling your house, buyers will be attracted to the fact that you already have panels installed. Consider all these reasons and more for going solar in 2021.
Image 1: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-solar-panels-on-brown-roof-2850347/
Image 2: https://www.pexels.com/photo/black-and-silver-solar-panels-159397/
Tags: renewable energy