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4 Tips to Make the Most of Your Home’s Solar

Installing a solar energy system in your home can help reduce your carbon footprint and cut down on your energy costs. Believe it or not, you might not be getting the most optimal results out of your solar system though.

Whether you have installed solar panels for financial benefits or environmental reasons, the following tips will help you make the most of your home’s solar energy system. Check them out!

Install LED Lighting

Older light bulbs such as incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs only use a small percentage of the electricity that they take in to make the light, while the rest of that precious energy is lost as heat. On the other hand, modern LED bulbs use almost all of the electricity that they take in to make light.

A good LED bulb only needs about a tenth of the electricity that a traditional bulb needs. By installing LED lighting in your home, you won’t be pulling as much energy from your solar energy system to light your home.

LEDs are also much more efficient than traditional bulbs, and they last much longer. Replacing the lights in your home with LEDs makes sense, especially if you are using solar power in your home.

Install Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats allow you to remotely control the temperature in your house via your smartphone or other devices. Many smart thermostats allow you to program the temperature based on the time of day and weather, and some can even learn your heating and cooling habits and create an energy-efficient schedule based on how to typically adjust your thermostat day in and day out.

Installing smart thermostats will allow you to keep track of how much energy you are pulling from your solar power system for heating and cooling, so you can make any necessary adjustments to maximize your energy usage and conserve energy.

Use Ceiling Fans

Using ceiling fans may seem way too simple, but heating and cooling can take up on average, 48 percent of your home’s energy budget. This means that using your HVAC system can easily use up most, if not all, of the energy produced by your solar panels. Yikes!

While using ceiling fans won’t heat or cool your home, they can help circulate the air throughout your home making it more comfortable, and in turn, using less solar energy.

To make the most of your ceiling fans, set them to rotate counterclockwise in the summertime to distribute cool air around the room. Switch the fans to rotate clockwise in winter which will help push the warm air down from the ceiling to the room.

Be Conscious of Energy Use

When you are using solar power, be conscious of your energy use and consumption. When you leave a room, turn out the lights. Turn off or unplug appliances after you use them. If leaving for the day, turn the temperature up a few degrees. There are many small easy adjustments that you can make that will make a BIG impact on your energy consumption.

By making minor adjustments to the way you use energy, you can be sure that the energy produced by your solar energy system is being used efficiently and effectively.

Save Energy and Protect the Environment with Solar Bear

Solar energy is the ultimate renewable energy source and will help you save BIG on energy costs. Solar Bear offers expert solar energy contracting services to help Florida homeowners in Tampa, Orlando, and Sarasota make their homes more efficient.

We specialize in solar panel installation and attic insulation to make your home as efficient as possible. Harness the power of the sun with Solar Bear today! Contact us for a solar power quote at 727-471-7442.

5 Reasons to Choose Solar Bear For Your Home Solar

Founded in St. Petersburg, Florida, Solar Bear has been the leader in solar energy solutions in Tampa, Orlando, and Sarasota since 2015. While there may be many companies to choose from for your solar power needs, here are five reasons you should choose Solar Bear for your solar panel install and energy efficiency solutions today!

High Ratings

As the largest residential solar installer in Florida, Solar Bear has the most 5 star reviews of any company in the state. We are also ranked as the number one solar contractor in the United States by SolarReviews.com and hold an A+ rating from the BBB.

Plus, Solar Bear has a 5.0 rating with EnergySage, the largest solar forum in the United States.

Giving Back

Not only are we a highly rated solar contractor, but we are also a proud partner with GivePower, a 501c3 nonprofit that brings energy and clean drinking water to areas in the world that need them most. GivePower’s solar water farms create access to clean water in water-scarce regions around the world in the most sustainable way—by harnessing the power of the sun!

Take a look at these amazing projects that GivePower has worked on around the world! It’s a great feeling to be part of such an impactful organization!

The Solar Bear Process

Solar Bear never uses subcontractors, all work is done in-house by our over 200 employees! When you call on Solar Bear for expert solar installation, we will first come to your home for a personalized performance and financial analysis of your system. We can help you get financing for your solar install if needed.

Then, we will send our site surveyor to your home to ensure that there is no shading or obstructions that will block the solar panels from the sun. We will also inspect your roof to make sure that it is in sound condition and capable of a solar install.

Next, your custom solar plan design will be submitted to our team of engineers, and they will create an electrical and structural schematic that will be submitted with your permit application. Once we have the engineering back, we will submit the information to your local municipality for your permit.

Once we have secured the permit, it’s time to schedule your install! After installing your solar panels, we will get the project inspected, and then file interconnection paperwork with your power company so they will swap out your meter to ensure that you will get credit for the energy that your solar energy system produces. Within 30-60 days your power company will come out and install your new smart meter.

Let there be light! It’s time to turn on your system. While onsite, we will teach you how to use your new solar energy system, and set up any apps so you can fully maximize your energy savings.

Our Guarantee

We are proud to offer senior citizen, first responder, and military discounts, all backed by our 25-year workmanship guarantee. Our solar panels also have a 25 no-leak guarantee plus, a 30-year solar panel warranty, and a 30-year production warranty. We fully guarantee all of our work and solar production.

For the first five years after install, we offer free solar panel cleanings, once per year.

Other Energy Solutions

We are unique in that we are solar contractors, roofing contractors, and spray foam insulation experts. We are the only solar contractor in the United States who offers spray foam insulation. 75% of our customers decide to get both solar panels and spray foam to boost energy efficiency and savings.

From roofing installs to repairs and maintenance, Solar Bear offers reliable and affordable roofing solutions on the west coast of Florida. With our spray foam insulation services, you can keep the heat out of your home with Icynene open cell and closed cell spray foam that insulates, and seals air in one simple step. Maximize your energy efficiency and save on energy costs with Solar Bear today!

Save on Energy Costs, Go Solar with Solar Bear

Call Solar Bear today at 727-471-7442 or contact us online to get started with a solar install project or air sealing and spray foam services for your home. We offer solar and insulation services in Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota, and throughout the surrounding Tampa Bay areas. Save on energy costs and stay comfortable by harnessing the power of the sun! Call us today!

4 Things to Know About Home Solar Energy

As a method to provide backup, partial, or full electrical power, solar panels are being installed to send power generated by the sun directly to your home or a backup generator. Are you one of the millions of Florida residents considering the use of solar energy at your home? Here are some important things to know about how solar energy works.

Solar Can Mean Big Savings

One of the most important aspects of solar energy is the potential to save a lot of money! According to Energy Informative, studies show that homeowners who invest in solar panels can reduce their electric bill by more than $100 per month! In addition to lower utility bills, government subsidies and tax incentives are also available.

So, whether you are going completely solar or just supplementing your grid, these savings will not only put more money in your pocket, but it will also eventually pay for your solar panel system!

Solar power is environmentally friendly.

In addition to the significant cost savings, solar power is also an environmentally friendly, clean form of energy. When compared to the various conventional forms of energy sources, a solar power system does not emit any kind of greenhouse gases and is one of the best ways to cut down on your carbon footprint.

Solar panels are durable.

They may look like they’re made of glass and easy to break, but solar panels are actually extremely durable. So, if you’re worried about how your panels will fare during a hurricane or one of our severe thunderstorms, don’t be. Better yet, most solar panel warranties come with a 25-year warranty as a “just in case”.

Solar systems are mostly maintenance-free.

There’s no question that the solar panel installation process is labor-intensive, however, that’s where the complexity ends. As soon as the panels are installed, they essentially take care of themselves! The only “maintenance” is scheduling a yearly inspection, and if you go with Solar Bear, the first five years of annual maintenance checks are free!

Take control over your energy bill today!

Are you tired of paying crazy, high utility bills? Do you want to do your part to help the planet and reduce your carbon footprint? You can with a solar panel installation by Solar Bear! If you are interested in learning about home solar energy, please call Solar Bear Tampa today at 727-471-7442!