Are you ready to invest in a solar panel installation? Great. A typical solar panel system can save homeowners thousands of dollars. The 20-year average can be as low as $17,000 per year to as high as $45,000. That’s a lot of moolah.
But before you jump the gun, there are plenty of things you need to do to get ready.
The first thing to do is ascertain whether your current roof is up to snuff. Your roof, particularly if you have asphalt shingles, may last anywhere from 10 to 20 years.
In addition, if your roof is made of delicate material such as slate or wood shingles, it may be entirely unsuitable for solar at all. Be sure to consult your solar company.
For sure, if it’s older than 10 years old, get a good roof inspection. If you are in Dallas, consider CPE Roofing Company.
Another thing to consider as a homeowner is to consider improving your home’s overall energy efficiency.
A homeowner will be happier with their solar-powered system if they install smart thermostats, install ceiling fans, insulate windows and doors, and install tankless water heaters.
By far the biggest thing to consider is to fully insulate your attic with energy-efficient insulation.
Not only are these steps much cheaper than the actual installation of a solar roof, but you may find you can get by with a less powerful system.
Meanwhile, if your roof needs repair, a quality roofing company such as CPE Roofing Company can ensure that your roof will last for an additional 20 or 25 years before the solar panels are laid down.
In addition, you may also need to consult a structural engineer. The reason for doing so is the weight of the solar panels.
Typically, solar panels weigh around 40 lbs each. Assuming a homeowner has a 4-bedroom house, the 30-34 solar panels required to supply 100 percent of the home’s energy weights between 1200 and 1400 pounds.
Counting installation connections, a homeowner needs to know if their roof will handle the additional weight.
Another thing to know is if there are necessary permits to be obtained. While a solar roofing company will typically do most of this lifting, often homeowner’s associations also get into the mix. Be perfectly sure everything is legal.
Another thing to watch for is modifications on the roof. Vents, antennas, satellites, air conditioners may all need to be repositioned. In most cases, building codes may require only a licensed plumber can do these modifications to vents, and all may be necessary to ensure the panels all sit nice and tidily.
Of course, homeowners will also need to have their solar roofing company inspect their home to see that they have enough square footage to put down a good quality solar roof, as well as to determine how much sun the roof gets on average per day.
Homeowners need to be concerned about having too much shade falling onto their roof. This means consulting and arborist about cutting the tree back. If the tree is very close to the house and provides lots of shade on the roof, homeowners would need the arborist’s knowledge of whether the tree can be cust down.
Contrary to popular belief, the trees in a homeowner’s lawn are not necessarily owned by him but by the city, and a permit may be required to cut down protected trees.
Solar panels are a great investment that can save you a lot of money, but before investing, be sure that your roof is fully prepared for the transformation.
