If you’re thinking of installing solar panels for your home, you’re probably doing a lot of research to see what the costs and your options are. There is a lot to get up to speed on, so let’s start with what solar panels cost.

Solar panels have been steadily dropping in price, due to more efficient manufacturing and increased popularity. Currently, they are at an all time low, and the cost of a solar panel is around $5 per watt of output. A quick look at your monthly electric bill should help you figure out what you need, in terms of power.

That’s just part of the equation though. The main reason for installing solar panels is to save money on electricity. Depending on where you live, you may be able to make some money by selling excess electricity back to the grid. Rates vary for this, so be sure to investigate the options fully.

Buying solar panels appears to be a big investment, but most people find that they are able to pay them off in under ten years, and sometimes faster. There is a complex mix of factors that determines that timeline, including your power consumption.

There are federal tax credits available for people purchasing solar panels, and usually work out to the tune of 30 percent of the purchase price of the system, including converters and batteries. That’s a significant incentive. Between the tax credit, selling energy, and the long-term promise of energy independence, there has never been a better time to get solar panels.

Of course, it’s all a little overwhelming. What you need is someone who is familiar with the territory to walk you through all the steps. The Electric Connection has the experience and the connections to get you started on the path to energy independence. Give us a call today to get the process started.

By Kellie Pearson

Pack away sweaters and scarfs and break out the floaties and flip flops – summer is here! Whether your ideal seasonal activity is tanning poolside or spiking a volleyball along a sandy seashore, there’s no doubt summertime offers a lot of fun.  However, it can present many safety concerns for homeowners. Here are a few reminders from Mr. Electric® to give you and your family peace of mind this summer.

With the summer sun shining bright, the warm, moist air provides optimal fuel for hurricanes to form.  Are you and your family prepared? In the case of a power outage, you’ll want to have a generator handy.  If you’re unsure of the amount of power that will be needed for a generator in your home, ask Mr. Electric to determine that for you. If your house draws more power than the generator can produce, then you may blow a fuse on the generator or damage the connected equipment. A generator should only be operated outdoors in an area with unobstructed air flow and ventilation. Even if the garage door is open to the exterior, carbon monoxide can still build up to toxic levels. Placing carbon monoxide detectors near all the bedrooms of your home will alert you and your family when there is a risk of being poisoned.

Because of extreme heat and electrical charge in the air, lighting storms are also common during this season. In the case of a power surge, a good preventive option is to install a whole home surge protection system if you want to protect devices plugged into outlets anywhere in the home.

The relationship between weather and energy usage is a never-ending cycle. Spikes and drops in temperature and humidity lead to spikes and drops in energy use (and costs), which in turn correspond with spikes and drops in greenhouse gas emissions, further affecting climate. What does this relationship mean when it comes to your energy usage?

Temperatures above 100 and below 40 stress your heating and cooling system, pushing it to capacity, reducing efficiency, and draining energy supplies, along with your wallet. Quite simply, this amounts to less bang for your buck in terms of comfort. Add to temperature issues, wind, cloud cover, and precipitation and the snowball effect continues, further impacting comfort levels, not to mention your ability to illuminate interior spaces. Compound the issues – and the population affected – and you’ve got grid strain to boot.

That depends on the source of energy. In the US, 83 percent of energy usage comes from fossil fuels, which release gases such as CO2 into the environment during the creation of energy. Unfortunately, these gases trap heat in the atmosphere. Atmospheric greenhouse gases have increased 30 percent since the pre-Industrial Revolution era alone, and the level continues to rise with energy demand. As levels increase, so does the effect on the environment. Thousands of scientists agree the trapped gases are currently affecting the climate, and will increasingly weigh on it as time goes on. This has resulted in an increase in interest in cleaner forms of energy, including nuclear, solar, wind, and geothermal.

Lighting fixtures can be a great addition to your household especially if you’re looking to improve your home’s appeal. Dim or flickering lights can be frustrating to deal with and can cause a real headache. Turning the lights on to only find yourself surprised with weak light bulbs can be inconvenient. And when it comes to your kitchen and bathroom, lighting fixtures are so beneficial since they see the most usage in your home. With poor lighting efficiency, you will see a decline in functionality for either room. Lighting is always going to be a key component for your home and that is why it is important to take care of lighting issues. When you’re looking make upgrades for your home, lighting fixtures should be at the top of the list.

Track lighting is a great option for homeowners who are looking to increase both the appeal and visibility of their bathroom or kitchen. Since track lighting is fairly easy to install, it can become an immediate update to increase the degree of illumination for your home. Track lighting will also allow you to point lamps in any direction, increasing the level of customization of lighting fixtures that you can take advantage of.

One of the lesser lit areas of your bathroom or kitchen is probably around your cabinets. It can be frustrating trying to find spices or even towels without enough lighting surrounding it. A helpful lighting installation is adding one under the cabinets. This is the best solution to this problem and in the meantime, adds an ambiance to the kitchen and bathroom areas of your home.

Feeling classy? Finding unrivaled lighting fixture.