If you have a solar panel system on your roof, you are essentially getting free energy from the sun. As solar panel systems have come down in price in recent years, more homeowners have started looking into the possibility of using solar energy to supply at least part of their energy needs. However, before you make this kind of investment, it’s important to determine if your home will work for this purpose. There are several factors to consider:

Local Rules

If you live in a neighborhood that’s governed by a homeowners association or subdivision covenants, there may be restrictions on what you can do to the outside of your home. Check to make sure your plans meet local guidelines before investing a lot of time and money into a solar system.

Your Roof

You should measure your roof to see if it will be large enough for the solar panel system you are thinking of installing. The roof must also face in a roughly southern direction so the panels can pick up as much sun as possible.

Obstructions

Another aspect of solar eligibility is obstructions. If you have anything blocking the sun for much of the day, such as buildings, trees or mountains, your system will not work. If trees are the problem, you can at least consider the option of removing them.

Wiring and Power

Have a professional come by and confirm that your home’s wiring and power distribution panel can handle this kind of installation. Also, find out if your local power company gives you credit for power you feed into their system when you’re not using it, since this is a large part of what makes solar energy affordable.

Determining your home’s solar potential is not difficult, but for much of the process you might want the assistance of a professional. If you have any questions about your home’s solar eligibility, please contact us at Comfort Systems. Our team of experienced and courteous professionals will be happy to help you. We serve Wichita and the surrounding area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about solar and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Comfort Systems services the Wichita, KS area. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

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