Solar Panels for Reducing Cooling Costs
Summer in Florida is not for the faint of heart! Rising heat and no school for kids means your air conditioner is putting in some serious work. But, what if you could use solar panels to reduce cooling costs? Solar Bear tells you how to drop it like it’s hot (because all Floridians can relate).
Did you know that asphalt is one of the most popular roofing materials in the United States? Made of materials covered in asphalt and stone granules, asphalt shingles are affordable, durable and unfortunately, great at absorbing the sun’s energy. Other roofing materials like clay tiles and metal can match or exceed the 150 to 185 degrees that a roof can reach! Luckily, Solar Bear has a great option to beat that heat. Rooftop solar panels can absorb a tremendous amount of the heat that shines down on your home. By absorbing almost 40% of it, cooling costs will be reduced, which adds to your already tremendous financial savings. Any accumulated energy from those rays can be used for energy instead of having to pull from the power grid. Another byproduct of rooftop panel absorption is a cooler roof temperature. Studies show that panels can reduce roof temperatures by 5 degrees. Chalk this up as another energy win because your cooling unit won’t have to work as hard to keep your home at its optimal temperature.
If you find your system is overproducing because of the sun-bundance, save it for a rainy day. Literally! Some homeowners add a solar battery to their panel installation so energy can be used for later use or during a power outage. Skipped the battery storage? No worries, another great option to take advantage of is net metering. Net metering is a billing process that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid. If your solar system generates more electricity than your home requires, any excess energy will go back to the grid, and you’ll be issued a credit on your next utility bill. Currently, Tampa Electric Company (TECO), Duke Energy, and Florida Power & Light (FPL) all offer utility net metering programs in Florida.
If you’re ready to take the plunge, Solar Bear can help create a solar energy plan that works for your family. Sign up for a free estimate today or give us a call at (813) 922-3735 for more information.