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Ever open your gas bill and wonder if you’re accidentally paying for the whole neighborhood? You’re not alone. In 2025, homeowners across Tampa and beyond are still feeling the sting of inflated energy prices. And while the weather here doesn’t exactly scream “blast the heat,” many Floridians are still surprised when their natural gas bill spikes without warning. Here are the top four culprits and four solutions—and yes: solar can help fix all of it.

1. Gas Rates Are Still Climbing

Even though wholesale gas prices have settled compared to the 2022 chaos, utilities have adjusted—but not down. Many Tampa-area providers raised their base rates and added new “adjustment” fees to offset infrastructure and transmission costs. Want us to translate that? You’re paying more—even if you’re using the same amount.

How to save: Stop playing a game you can’t win. Offset those monthly costs with solar energy. While solar panels won’t eliminate your gas bill (unless you’ve fully electrified your home), they’ll slash your electric usage and often open the door to cutting the cord on gas appliances altogether.

2. You’re Still Using Gas for More Than You Realize

If it burns? It costs. That includes the hot water heater, dryer, stove, pool heater, outdoor grill, and so on. Even if you barely touch your thermostat, multiple everyday habits quietly drain your gas line—and your bank account.

How to save: Audit your gas usage. Swap your gas water heater for a high-efficiency electric hybrid model. Consider an electric dryer next time yours breaks. Or, if you’re ready for a big leap, go full-electric and power your home with rooftop solar. No flame. No fumes. No monthly mystery charges.

3. Insulation and Efficiency Still Matter—Even in Florida

Sure, we don’t have blizzards in Tampa. But poor insulation, drafty windows, or an older water heater can still push your gas bill higher—especially in winter when temps drop just enough to crank on the heat or keep the water hot longer.

How to save: Start with small fixes. Check for leaks around doors and windows. Wrap your water heater. Upgrade to smart thermostats. These are smart Florida moves, especially when combined with solar for total energy control.

4. You’re Relying Too Much on the Grid

Every time the utility hikes rates or adds new surcharges, you’re at their mercy. Solar flips the script.

With a solar panel system—and especially with a solar battery backup—you generate your own power. You control what you use, when you use it, and how much you spend. It’s not just eco-friendly—it’s economically empowering.

How to save: Install solar now while 2025 federal tax credits and Florida-specific incentives are still on the table. Many of our customers in Tampa offset most of their electric costs immediately and make plans to reduce gas dependence shortly after.

Ditch the High Bills—Go Solar Today

You’re not just looking for lower numbers on a statement. You want control, stability, and freedom from guessing games and rate hikes.

At Solar Bear of Tampa, we help homeowners make smart, affordable energy decisions. Whether you’re ready to explore full-home solar, a battery backup, or simply want to understand what’s possible—we’re here. Call us at (727) 353-3886 to get started! The future doesn’t run on gas—it runs on sunshine.

You don’t just walk into a store and say, “I want two solar panels, please!” and expect everything to work itself out. It takes accurate calculations and strategic planning to install a solar panel system that brings solar power efficiency to your home. One of the ways we do this is by following the 120% rule for solar installation, and this guide serves to teach you the basics!

Find out what the 120% rule is all about before reaching out to Solar Bear Orlando for a free estimate on your new solar panel installation.

Introducing the NEC 120% Rule For Solar Installation

The 120% rule for solar installation is a part of the National Electrical Code (NEC) that ensures a solar panel system does not exceed 120% of the main service panel’s capacity. Essentially, there’s a limit to how many solar panels you can have installed on your home. This isn’t simply to restrict your usage, but to help prevent the chances of potential safety hazards in Orlando.

A Closer Look at Solar Panel Safety For Florida Homeowners

By following the 120% rule, you can ensure that your Orlando home is safe from the dangers of an overloaded panel and short-circuiting. How likely is this to happen? The question should be, why risk it? But just so you have a better understanding of the significance of proper solar panel installation, let’s review what happens when you exceed this rule:

When you overload the house with an excessive number of solar panels that exceed the 120% rule, the panel’s busbar can become overloaded and cause an electrical hazard. Sparks can fly and start a fire, or the electricity can create a high-voltage environment. Either way, this is something that every homeowner in Orlando can avoid by implementing the 120% rule with solar panels.

Not sure how much solar power you need for your home? Take a look at our guide going over Florida’s average kWh per day for a rough idea of what you might need.

Tips For Following the 120% Rule:

Complying with the 120% rule is crucial for a safe setup and it’s not that hard to do. Here are some of the steps you need to take for necessary precautions in Orlando:

1. Find out the maximum busbar your solar panels can handle.
2. Multiple that rating by 1.2 to find 120% of your limit.
3. Find the rating on your main breaker.
4. Subtract the main breaker rating from your 120% busbar total for your maximum solar backfeed current.
5. Hire a solar panel installer who can supply you with the necessary amount of solar panels that match your data.

Abiding by all of the necessary compliances is one of the main reasons to support your local solar company. Small businesses in Orlando know all about state laws as well as the local community and climate to offer you tailored services that fit your solar power needs.

Achieve Solar Panel Compliance Guaranteed When You Hire Solar Bear Orlando!

Trust the experts at Solar Bear Orlando for professional solar panel installation you can rely on for optimal safety and solar power efficiency. Call us today at (727) 471-7442 to ask for a free quote and to see how we can help your home achieve the 120% rule for solar installation!

Understanding the world of solar energy can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to terms like net metering and net billing. But don’t worry! That’s what our team at Solar Bear Orlando is here for.

Central Florida homeowners need to understand these concepts and how they can impact their energy savings, so we’ve put this guide together to cut through the confusion.

What is Net Metering?

Essentially, net metering is a billing arrangement that allows homeowners to offset their energy costs by sending excess energy back to the grid and, in exchange, receiving credits from the utility company on their bill.

Think of it this way, if your system produces more energy than your home needs, you can send the surplus back to the grid, which is tracked by your utility provider. This means that your meter will run backward because you are feeding energy back into the grid. You will only pay for the net amount of electricity that you use. 

What is Net Billing?

Net billing is a different way to get compensated for excess solar energy. Instead of running your meter backward, net billing gives homeowners a fixed compensation rate for any excess electricity that is sent back to the grid. This is usually at a wholesale rate.

This means that homeowners won’t receive a one-to-one credit for the energy that is produced, which also means that it can offer lower savings than net metering.

Key Differences

Let’s discuss these differences a little more:

Compensation Structure

• Net Metering: You receive credits at the retail rate for surplus energy.
• Net Billing: You are compensated at a lower wholesale rate.

Billing Process

• Net Metering: Your costs can be directly reduced if your meter runs backward.
• Net Billing: You get paid for extra energy sold to the utility.

Impact on Savings

• Net Metering: This offers greater savings as it directly credits your bill.
• Net Billing: Generally results in lower savings.

Which Is Better for Homeowners?

So, which scenario is best for Central Florida homeowners? Well, it depends. Net metering is offered by Duke Energy, which services many Orlando homes. This is a great option as it offers many financial benefits.

Duke Energy does not offer net billing, so in this case, it would not be an option for Orlando homeowners. It may be an option for others in Central Florida, though, depending on the offerings of their utility company.

Read More > What Extra Advantages Do Floridians Have with Solar?

Ready to Go Solar?

As you can see, going solar offers different financial benefits depending on what your utility company offers. If you have any questions or want to discuss your solar installation project, reach out to our friendly team here at Solar Bear Orlando at (727) 471-7442.

We’re excited to help you reach energy independence!

Your solar panel system may seem like a “set it and forget it” type of investment, and in a way, it kind of is. However, certain factors can get in the way of your energy efficiency without you even realizing it. Pest activity can be one of those factors. Find out why this is by checking out this helpful guide on solar power efficiency brought to you by your trusted solar panel experts at Solar Bear Tampa! Call us today for a free quote on your new solar panel system.

What Do Pests Have to Do With Solar Power?

You might not know it, but there’s an entire world of creatures living a secret life on top of your roof. These pests can range from birds to rodents and bugs, and your solar panels are exposed to everything that happens up there. It might seem unlikely for animals to gnaw away at cables without reason, but that’s not the only thing there is to worry about.

Any sort of blockage can keep your solar panels from working at maximum capacity in Tampa. This includes anything that pests leave behind where you don’t even think to look. Birds can leave fly-by droppings, twigs can fall from a nest in a nearby tree, you get the picture.

Having these obstructions left behind by pests can cause your solar panels to degrade if not taken care of right away, similar to how solar panels degrade when not in use. Routine maintenance and proper care keep your solar panel system in peak condition for maximum solar power efficiency.

Supporting Solar Power Impact With Pest Control

It might not be safe for you to get on your roof for clean-up and pest control yourself, but that’s why professionals exist. You may want to call up a local pest control company in response to wildlife activity on your roof, and that might work out for you in some ways. However, it’s also worth it to give your local solar company a call as well for solar panel upkeep like deep cleaning, because your pest control team won’t do it for you.

Want to prevent pests from getting cozy on your roof in the first place? Consider these pest deterrents:

• Mesh barriers
• Reflective tape
• LED lights
• Rotating mirrors
• Animal statues

Even if you manage to keep pests off of your roof using these methods, opting for regular solar panel maintenance is key to maximizing your solar power efficiency in Tampa.

Bottom Line: Keep Pests Away For Optimal Solar Panel Efficiency

To review, pest control can be essential to getting the most out of your solar panel system in Tampa. Next time you’re having issues with your solar power output, try these methods:

• Call a pest control company to rid your roof of pests
• Call a solar company to perform upkeep on your solar panels
• Use preventive measures to deter pests from your roof

With a solid solar panel maintenance routine, you will notice better solar energy output, an extended lifespan for your solar panels, lower electric bills, and the prevention of possible repairs. Get started on being a more responsible solar panel homeowner by calling your reputable solar professionals today!

Trust In Solar Bear Tampa For Reliable Solar Panel Maintenance!

Solar Bear Tampa excels at energy savings with premium solar panels and expert installation. Call us today at (727) 471-7442 to learn more about our services and to receive a free quote!