Denver solar companies know that utility bills can skyrocket in the winter months, seriously denting budgets. Instead of resigning yourself to higher bills, consider these options to keep your utility costs in check this winter.
What You Can Do To Prepare
Luckily, you can do plenty of things to prepare for weather changes. Some will help you cut utility usage, while others may help you pay less for the power you use. The best part is that both approaches provide utility savings year-round.
Home Changes To Improve Efficiency
The first step is to prepare your home for the cooler weather. The sooner you start this in the fall, the more prepared you will be. A few things that can help reduce heat loss in your home include:
- Adding insulation to floors, walls, and attic spaces
- Sealing cracks and gaps in the home's exterior
- Using weatherstripping to better insulate windows and doors
- Updating older windows with seal kits or storm windows to older homes
Other Ways To Save on Power Bills
Other ways to save on power bills include adding a layer of clothes, adjusting your thermostat down a few degrees, or switching to more efficient appliances and light bulbs. Installing solar panels is another excellent way to lower utility bills; it is one approach you can benefit from year-round.
How Solar Energy Will Help You Save
Solar energy is an affordable option that, depending on your location and power usage, can pay for the initial solar panel cost in just a few years. You'll see lower (or no) utility bills and have the added benefit of knowing you are making an environmentally conscious power choice. There are two types of solar power systems: off-grid and grid-tied.
Most homeowners choose to use a grid-tied system. These systems supplement your utility bills. Since they may not have a battery, this extra power is generally limited to daylight hours. If you can arrange to use the most energy-intensive appliances during the day, you can cut utility bills significantly.
Adding a battery is one way to increase savings with a grid-tied system. It acts as a backup power source during outages and for supplemental night-time power. Another great way to save is to enroll in net metering. Many states offer or require utility customers to sell excess power to the grid.
Solar panels and any batteries do require a substantial investment. However, there are many different tax credits, manufacturer discounts and rebates, and utility company incentives to make it more affordable. Plus, many installers offer low-cost financing, sometimes with as little as $0 down, to help reduce your upfront costs of adopting clean energy.
Don't dread paying your winter utility bills. Learn more about how simple changes and a few upgrades can help improve your home's efficiency. If you are serious about saving, contact solar installers in Denver to see how much you can save by generating your own clean power.
Cost Savings
Solar power is one of the most cost-effective renewable energy sources available. As the cost of installing and operating these systems declines, more people will adopt solar power and reduce costs. Solar power can help people save money on their electricity bills each month. Check out the latest Ohio electric rates for a grid-tied solar power system.
