Imagine a world where your energy bill is zero, where you can power your home with clean, renewable energy from the sun. This is the promise of solar power, and it’s becoming more affordable and accessible than ever before.
We’ve compiled a list of seven ways to save money with solar power for your home, from installing solar panels to making simple changes to your energy habits.
1. Reduce Your Electricity Consumption
One of the best ways to save money with solar power is by reducing electricity consumption. The less electricity you use, the less solar power you need to generate, and the less you’ll have to pay.
Here are some tips for reducing your power consumption at home:
- Unplug electronics when they’re not in use because many of them use power in standby mode.
- Use energy-efficient light bulbs like LEDs that use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer.
- Turn off lights and appliances when you leave a room.
- Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible because heating accounts for about 90% of the energy in a typical washing machine load.
- Set your thermostat back a few degrees when you are asleep or away from home.
2. Choose an Efficient Solar System
An efficient solar system can convert sunlight into electricity as effectively as possible. This means you’ll need fewer solar panels to generate the same amount of electricity, saving money on the upfront cost. An efficient system will also produce more electricity over its lifetime, saving you more money on your electricity bills in the long run.
The following tips will help you choose a good solar system for your home:
- Choose solar panels with a high-efficiency rating.
- Consider using microinverters instead of a string inverter.
- Orient your solar panels in the optimal direction.
- Keep your solar panels clean.
3. Properly Maintain Your Solar System
Solar panels are durable and weather-resistant but can still be damaged by dirt, dust, debris, and extreme conditions. When the panels are obstructed, they can’t produce as much electricity. You’ll have to buy more electricity from your utility company, raising your power bills. Properly maintaining your solar system can also help to prevent costly repairs.
Here’s how you can maintain your system the right way:
- Clean your solar panels regularly or hire a professional.
- Trim trees and shrubs around your solar panels.
- Inspect your solar panels and other components for damage regularly.
- Have your solar system inspected by a professional at least once a year.
4. Use Your Solar Power During the Day
The more sunlight your solar panels receive, the more electricity they produce. Therefore, the best way to save money with solar power is to use it during the day when the panels produce the most electricity.
There are two main ways to do this:
- Shift your energy usage to daytime hours: This means using your appliances and electronics as much as possible during the day. For example, you could run your dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer during the day instead of at night.
- Install a battery storage system. This will allow you to store the electricity that your solar panels produce during the day so that you can use it at night when there’s no sunlight.
5. Monitor Your Energy Consumption
y understanding how much energy you use and when you use it, you can make changes to your energy habits and reduce your reliance on the grid.
How to monitor your energy consumption:
- Get a smart meter that tracks your energy consumption in real time.
- Use a smart plug that allows you to monitor the energy consumption of the appliance and turn it on and off remotely.
- Use a home energy monitoring system to track the energy consumption of your entire home, including individual appliances and circuits.
Save With Solar Power
By following the tips above, you can maximize your savings and reduce your reliance on the grid. If you’re interested in learning more about how to save money with solar or need Solar Power in Michigan services, call us today.