As a homeowner, you may be interested in looking for more affordable power sources, especially if your electricity expenses take a considerable amount of your monthly budget. Besides getting your power supply from the electrical grid available in your area, you can also look into some renewable energy options you can incorporate into your property.
Nowadays, some residences opt to install a solar power system to lessen their utility bills and utilize renewable energy. If you want to convert your home’s power source and use solar energy, here’s a guide to help you out.
Conduct An Inspection
Before you purchase the solar panels that you need for your home, it would be advisable to conduct a site inspection first. In some cases, the panels are installed on the roof to get optimal sun exposure and not obstruct your home’s current design. If you’re going to put your boards on top of your house, you need to ensure your exterior is sturdy and well-constructed. Remember that panels will add weight to your roof, so it’s best to check if there would be no safety risks once the construction starts.
You can invite an engineer to your residence to check if your roof’s structure and design fit a solar panel installation. You may need to refurnish some areas if they’re old or worn out before you mount the solar equipment. There are many companies and professionals that specialize in conducting works for solar powered homes, so, you won’t have difficulty finding one to service your residence.
Determine Your Electricity Consumption
If your goal in installing a solar power system is to cut your electrical costs, you may want to compute how much you consume monthly first. You’ll know what type of system you’ll need for your home if you have an idea of how much electricity you’re using in your household. It’ll also play a crucial role in determining if the number of panels you need to supply your property with power will fit the size of your roof. There may be a chance that you’ll still need to keep your connection to your area’s electrical grid since your panels won’t be enough to support your electricity use.
Knowing how many kilowatts you’re using will also give you a better idea of how much you’ll save once you switch to renewable energy. This will help you manage your utility usage and expenses in the long run and lessen the burden of increasing electricity prices.
Schedule The Installation On A Sunny Day
Once you purchase your solar power system, the next step you need to consider is installing it in your home. Since mounting a panel on your roof can take a lot of work, it may be best to call for an expert to do the job. Your roof may be difficult to access without any equipment, so it’s advisable to call for help to ensure a safe and seamless installation.
If you can, schedule the installation on a sunny day since inclement weather may cause unexpected accidents during the works. The construction project in your residence will be done faster if there aren’t any delays that’ll affect the workers’ schedule. It’ll also be safer for everyone who’ll work on your property if they work when the weather is nice.
Check Your Electrical Lines
Before you start using your new power source, you need to ensure if it’s connected well to your house’s electricity line first. Check if the lines and central inverter are secured well to avoid any accidents. You should also ensure all connections and attachment points are properly done since it can become a safety risk if they’re not organized well.
You should also check if the wirings within your household aren’t hanging low or touched by items like cabinets or appliances. Ideally, the electrical lines should be out of reach, especially if you have children in your home.
Additionally, you can ask the company servicing your residence to conduct a test to check if everything is in order and see if some parts need adjustments. It’s also advisable to ask for the proper system operation and maintenance so you’ll know how to take care of your new power source.
Final Thoughts
Transitioning from a conventional power source to renewable energy can take a lot of work. You’d need to find the right solar power equipment and reliable company to help you install it in your home. As long as you process everything you need carefully, you’ll be able to use solar energy for your household without any problems.
