Category: Uncategorized

With kids home from school and more people working from home, homeowners have noticed a substantial increase in home energy usage. Keeping cool during the summer and staying constantly connected can come at a cost. Adding these home energy-saving tips to your home can help you lessen energy usage while also lowering your costs. Check out Solar Bear of Tampa’s tips for setting home energy goals.

There are indeed plenty of ways to conserve energy in your home. Perhaps the best place to start is with an energy audit. This thorough inspection can help pinpoint areas in your home that might be causing energy leaks. During the Solar Bear of Tampa’s examination, our team of energy experts analyzes ducts, insulation, appliances, and more before offering energy-saving recommendations. Most homeowners choose to use these suggestions as an energy goal-setting guide.

Generally, homes of all sizes and ages can benefit from energy-efficient changes. In fact, many of these upgrades can retain and increase the resale value of your home. Some foundational recommendations include tightening ductwork, improving insulation, and operating your thermostat efficiently. By making these changes, less energy is used to maintain a constant temperature in your home. There are additional quick fixes that can help you attain your home energy goals. Swapping incandescent bulbs for LEDs, adding blinds or drapes to mitigate sunlight, and replacing HVAC filters regularly can make a big difference.

If you are ready to lessen your home’s energy usage, start by implementing these energy-saving tips above or schedule a free estimate with Solar Bear of Tampa. With the help of our professional team, making these improvements could be easier than you think.

Do the blazing rays of summer have you considering installing a solar system? Solar Bear of Tampa can help with that, but a critical first step before installation is performing a solar energy audit. Our team of energy experts explains why this audit is an integral part of any solar system purchase.

A solar energy audit is essential for anyone interested in purchasing a solar system. This comprehensive inspection is a great way to understand your current energy consumption and identify any energy leaks your home may have. After investigating your home for any potential causes of energy leaks, the Solar Bear of Tampa team creates a report that shows what energy-saving recommendations are right for your home. For example, the audit may reveal that adding spray foam insulation to your home or switching out appliances could reduce energy consumption before your solar system is even installed. By making those energy-saving choices now, you can start saving even before a solar system is added to your home.

This is also a great time to determine your home’s average rate of monthly energy consumption. Auditors will review between 6 and 12 months’ worth of energy consumption to show where energy is primarily used in the home and how appropriate adjustments can be made.

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, is safety. During a solar energy audit, a combustion safety testing is conducted. This test examines home heating equipment to determine exhaust leakage, carbon monoxide levels, gas leakage, and cracked pipes that may allow leakage. After review, our team will recommend how to remedy any current leakages and prevent future occurrences.

By performing a solar energy audit, your solar panel installation company demonstrates its due diligence to your home’s energy needs. To schedule your free Solar Bear of Tampa estimate, call us at (727) 741-7442 today!

Using solar energy to power homes has become popular across the globe. Solar energy offers a lot of perks including having a more stable form of energy to rely on, and the fact that it can help lower your carbon footprint certainly helps!

Introducing solar energy into your home can be daunting at first, but our team here at Solar Bear Orlando can make the process hassle and stress-free.

Keep reading to learn our top tips to introduce solar energy into your home!

What is Solar Energy

Solar energy is emitted by the sun and can be converted into energy to power your home. The best part? There is an unlimited supply of sun, especially here in the Sunshine State! Plus, it doesn’t lead to pollution, and it is renewable.

Benefits of Solar Energy

There are many benefits to going solar including:

• Lower energy bills
• Enhanced home value
• Decreases your carbon footprint
• Let’s you control your energy expenses
• Can help you earn money or credit from your utility with net metering

Tips to Get Started with Solar Energy

Now, let’s discuss some tips to get started with solar energy!

Seek Assistance from an Expert

Solar panels are an investment, so make sure to get the help of an expert who is familiar with residential solar before putting any money down. Skilled solar professionals like our team at Solar Bear Orlando can help you avoid costly mistakes when choosing or installing your solar system.

Estimate Your Electricity Usage & Needs

Before choosing the number of panels that you need, you must first calculate the average of the kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity that you commonly use. This ensures that your system will be able to generate enough power to support your needs even during the hot summer when the HVAC is full blast. 

Consider How Much Space You Have

Before taking the leap into solar, make sure there is enough room on your property or roof to do so. Your past power usage will dictate the number of panels that you will need to power your home, but you must figure out where to install the panels too. Will they be installed on the roof, placed on the ground, or perhaps a solar carport? Maybe you’ll choose all three!

While we are on the topic, it is also critical to observe the sun’s movements and find out if your desired positioning for your solar panels will receive adequate sunlight on a daily basis. Don’t place your solar array in an area where trees or other buildings cast shadows.

Further, if you want to install solar panels on your roof, make sure that your roof is strong enough and in good condition to withstand the weight of the system.

Research Financing Options & Rebates

Though solar panels are an investment, there are many financing options that can save you money in the long run. From the Federal solar tax credits to state rebates, there are several ways that you can save when installing solar panels.

Keep Reading> How Long Until Solar Panels Pay for Themselves?

Do Your Research Before Installing Solar

Before signing any solar contract, make sure you know these things about your installation company first:

• Do they have the proper insurance and licensure?
• How long have they been in business?
• Do they do the work themselves or use subcontractors?
• How do their warranties work and what will yours include?
• Do they offer solar panel maintenance services?

Learn More> Lowering Your Utility Bills By Switching to Solar

Go Solar Today

Take advantage of the ample sun here in Florida and install a solar panel system today! Our pros at Solar Bear Orlando will help you determine your energy needs and what size system is right for you, and we will install your solar panels ourselves, no subcontractors here!

Go solar in Orlando! Call Solar Bear for a solar quote today; (727) 471-7442!

If you could harness the power of the sun and run your home on power produced from this energy would you do it? We hope you are saying a resounding YES! Solar power is just not great for the environment, but it can have a BIG impact on the costs of your living expenses.

Intrigued? We knew you would be! Here are the top ways that a solar power system can help mitigate the costs of your living expenses here in Orlando, Florida!

Lowering Your Electric Bills

Using solar to power homes and lower utility bills is one of the biggest perks of going solar. And it’s becoming more popular too!

Let’s face it, our appliances aren’t going away. We all want to reach for a cool beverage on a hot summer’s day or turn on the AC, so our homes are cool and comfortable, so saving on your utility bills by using clean energy from the sun makes perfect sense.

With net metering through Duke Energy, you can offset your energy costs when you have a solar system. As of January 1st, 2022, there is a minimum monthly bill of $30 for those who use solar power. This bill pays for the cost of your interconnection with the grid, and the sort of maintenance to the power grid.

Yes, even if you have a solar system in Orlando’s city limits, you must be connected to the grid. This ensures that you can draw electricity when needed like when it’s raining or at night, but still sell excess power back to the grid. So not only can you save on hefty energy bills, but you could get credits for the power that your system produces. It’s a win-win!

Heating and Cooling with Solar Power

If you have an electric heater and air conditioner, they will play a major role in the amount of solar energy that you will need. Make sure to discuss your energy needs with your solar advisor at Solar Bear, to ensure you have the right amount of power to run your heater and AC.

Don’t forget that while solar power will help you save on energy costs, it is important to weatherize your home to reduce the amount of power that you need to pull from your solar system or the utility grid. Any weatherizing efforts that you undertake plus switching to renewable energy will provide additional savings. 

Lowering Utility Costs with Solar Battery Storage

Getting the most out of your solar system includes the size of the solar array, where you live, the angle of your roof, how much sun you get, and the energy needs of your family. But if you add a battery to store power, you could save even more.

A solar system coupled with a solar battery allows you to store excess energy produced by your system during the day to use at night when the sun isn’t shining or when the utility rates are at their highest. And when the sun comes out again in the morning? Your battery will be recharged to use again. Nice!

TOU Rates

TOU stands for “time of use,” and TOU rates are used by your utility company to encourage you to reduce your energy consumption during peak hours when it costs the most. Because when everyone is pulling from the grid, energy costs more.

Remember, the time that you run your washing machine, dryer, and dishwasher matters. It is cheaper in the morning to run appliances and gets more expensive between the hours of noon and 8 pm.

Not all of us are at home when energy costs are lowest, but if you have a solar battery it won’t matter because you will have the energy to use no matter what kind of day!

Solar Tax Credits

Don’t forget that the current federal tax credit of 26% off the price of installation is available. This credit will lower over the next couple of years, then be phased out altogether so make sure to take advantage of these savings if you are planning to install a solar system at your home.

Choose Solar with Solar Bear

Just think of how much you will save on living expenses once you choose to go solar! The solar movement is strong and thriving, and is here to stay, just like our sun. If you are ready to install a solar system or need help with solar battery storage, you are in the right place!

Give Solar Bear Orlando a call at (727) 471-7442 to discuss your energy needs or to get a free no-hassle solar estimate today!