• Preparing for Your Solar Panel Installation

    So you’ve decided to harness the power of the sun and enjoy clean, affordable, and renewable energy at home with a residential solar panel. This is a great decision if you live in North Central Florida, where an abundance of sunlight means you can power your home for a lot less than it would cost to stay connected to the utility power grid. If you’ve already researched solar panels for your home, the next step (and arguably the most important) is selecting a solar company to perform the installation. Here are some things to know as you prepare for solar panel installation in North Central Florida.

    DIY or Professional Installation? Solar Panel Installation
    Installing solar panels isn’t as simple as slapping cells on your roof and enjoying clean, alternative energy at home. Panel placement is key to building an efficient solar energy system, and there is a lot of extra wiring and structural supports to install. Even if you are an experienced and confident do-it-yourselfer, solar panel installation is best left to professionals.

    Expected Project Length
    After you select a solar company in The Villages to perform the installation, it can take a few days or weeks to schedule the installation and get all of the necessary parts and equipment. Wiring and installation generally take a few days, depending on the size of your home and the number of solar panels being installed. A solar contractor in your area can provide you with a specific timeline so you know how long it will be until you are enjoying clean and affordable energy.

    Installation Permits
    One of the reasons it can take a few weeks or longer between the time you sign the contract and the actual installation of your solar panels is the fact that permits are required for home solar panel installations in Florida. Your installer should obtain the necessary permits for you.

  • Understanding the Importance of Attic Fans

    Although it may seem odd to purposely allow air into the attic after going through the trouble of adding insulation and sealing off your home, proper ventilation is actually one of the most important elements of an energy-efficient home. During the warmer months, natural air flow in a well-ventilated attic will move super-heated air out of the attic which in turn cools down your home and reduces your reliance on expensive air conditioning. Attic ventilation can also prevent the buildup of moisture which can damage shingles and lead to mold and mildew.

    Attic fans are very important, but there’s an easier and more affordable way to keep your attic cool and prevent mold and mildew. Solar attic fans are powered completely by free solar energy, meaning there are no operating costs and no electrical hookups to worry about. And because these attic fans are powered by the sun, they provide continual ventilation for your attic, even if the power goes out. Contact a solar company in North Central Florida to learn more about the benefits of solar attic fans and to schedule professional installation today.

    Attic Fans

  • Maintenance Tips for Your Solar Pool Heater

    If you live in North Central Florida, odds are you have a swimming pool in your backyard. And if you have a swimming pool, you know how much pool heating can cost you each month. Fortunately, there’s an affordable alternative way to keep your pool warm all year long. A residential solar pool heater eliminates all pool heating costs and keeps your pool at the perfect temperature well into the fall and winter months. A properly installed solar pool heating system can last up to 15 years with proper care. And while professionally installed solar pool heaters require very little maintenance, there are some simple steps you can take to ensure your solar pool heating system stays in top shape.

    Regular Pool Maintenance Solar Pool Heater maintenance
    The most important part about maintaining a solar pool heating system is simply maintaining your pool and the filtration system as you normally would. The filter should be cleaned as recommended by the manufacturer to ensure adequate flow is supplied to the solar collectors, and the pool’s pH and chlorine levels must be maintained within the specified limits.

    Touch Test
    You should check the solar heating system for proper operation at the beginning of each swimming season. A properly operating solar pool heating system should feel cool to the touch. If the solar collector feels unusually warm, contact the solar company in North Central Florida that installed the system and schedule a professional inspection by a trained solar technician.

    Winterization
    Although the swimming season in North Central Florida practically extends all year, it is recommended that the panels be shut off during a hard freeze. This ensures trouble-free performance for years to come during the normal times of the year when you and your family will most likely be enjoying your swimming pool. A solar company in Clermont or the surrounding area can provide a winterization service for a small fee.

  • The History of Solar Energy

    Solar energy is at the forefront of renewable energy technology around the world. While a solar panel installation may seem like an incredibly advanced choice for your household, solar energy can actually trace its history back to the 1800s. The first discovery of the power of solar energy occurred in 1839, when Alexandre Edmond Becquerel found that he was able to transform solar light into electricity. By 1954, scientists at Bell Laboratory had engineered the first solar cell. This photovoltaic cell was able to convert sunlight into electrical current, which was used to power electrical devices and more. Throughout the rest of the 20 th century, scientists developed new and efficient advances to the basic solar cell design. Today, households across the country use solar energy to power their homes and lighting systems. With the help of a company offering solar energy in The Villages, you can make the switch to solar today.

    Solar Energy

  • What Are the Benefits of Choosing Solar Energy?

    When you are seeking an alternative energy source for your home, you may want to consider making the switch to solar energy. By installing solar panels and solar tubular skylights on your property, you will cut down on your energy bills, while also doing your part to protect the environment. A company offering solar panels serving The Villages will be able to help you set up the right solar panel installation for your needs. With the help of a solar energy professional, your switch to solar will be seamless and simple. Read on for a tour of some of the great advantages of choosing solar energy.

    Save Money Solar Energy
    There are many great financial incentives for choosing solar energy. By converting your home’s electrical system to solar, you will be able to save significantly on your monthly energy bills. On average, households who switch to solar can save $100 or more on their energy expenses each month. In addition, the 30% federal income tax credit can help you create a budget for your initial solar panel installation.

    Protect the Environment
    Along with being a savvy investment for your pocketbook, solar energy is also a great choice for the future of the planet. When you convert your home’s electrical system to solar, you will be able to help do your part to protect the environment. Since solar panels harness energy directly from the sun, these innovative devices are an incredibly clean source of electricity. Overall, a solar panel installation can improve the environmental impact of your household.

    Improve Home Value
    With more and more households making the switch to solar, installing solar panels will dramatically increase the value of your home. Once you have completed your home solar panel installation, your monthly energy costs will reduce dramatically. A solar powered home will be very appealing to potential buyers in the future. In fact, some estimates place solar homes at 20% more valuable then their conventional counterparts.

  • Solar Energy 101

    When you are considering installing solar panels on your property, you may be wondering about how this alternative energy system works. In fact, solar energy relies on basic scientific principles to transform the rays of the sun into solar light and electricity. There are a few steps to the process of creating sunlight into usable energy. Your solar panels are equipped with cells that are able to capture the photons that are present in the sun’s rays. After the photons are captured, the cells will begin converting them into electrons. Once the photons have made the transition into becoming electrons, they can be sent to your home’s wiring and electrical system. To keep track of how much energy your solar panels are able to produce, your solar panels will be equipped with a net energy meter. For answers to your questions about solar energy, be sure to contact a company offering solar lights near The Villages.

    Solar Energy

  • A Closer Look at Solar Pool Heaters

    A swimming pool is a fabulous addition to any home in the state of Florida. Whether you are building a new pool, or are planning a pool renovation, you may want to consider including a solar pool heater in your design. Solar pool heating uses the power of the sun to regulate your pool water to a comfortable and inviting temperature. A company specializing in solar power serving The Villages can help you select the perfect solar pool heater for your swimming pool design. To highlight the advantages of solar pool heaters, let’s take a closer look at some of the features of these innovative devices.

    The Role of Solar Pool Heaters
    A solar pool heater will play an important role in your swimming pool design. These special pool heaters rely on solar energy to maintain your pool water to your desired temperature. By heating your pool water with the power of the sun, solar pool heaters are an economical and environmentally friendly choice for any swimming pool installation.

    How Solar Pool Heaters Work
    Solar pool heaters rely on innovative technological features in order to heat the water in your swimming pool. In order to maintain your pool water at a comfortable temperature, these heaters use a component that is called a solar water collector. As water is pumped into the solar hot water collector, it will be naturally heated by the rays of the sun. By using the sun as a direct heating source, these water heaters are remarkably efficient.

    The Different Types of Solar Pool Heaters
    When you are choosing a solar pool heater for your home, you will have a few different systems to choose from. One of the most popular types of solar pool heaters is the unglazed solid body collector system. This type of solar pool heater does not contain glass, and can be safely used in areas where outdoor temperatures dip below freezing. The unglazed separated tube type of collectors are designed for tile or metal roofs in climates where temperatures do not dip below freezing.

  • Dive into Solar Pool Heating [Infographic]

    Your pool is a major investment, so why not get the most use out of it as possible? To extend your pool season, you need to heat your water, but most people give up on that option because of the cost. Using a gas heater to warm your pool can cost hundreds of dollars each month. The good news for pool owners is that there is an alternative—solar pool heating. For less than the cost of installing a gas heater, you can tap into solar energy to keep your pool comfortable even when temperatures outside begin to slide downwards. This eco-friendly pool heating solution adds value to your home and even helps to control pool overheating during the summer. Learn more about the benefits of solar pool heating in this infographic from Florida’s Solar Lights & More . Share this information with fellow pool owners to help more people learn how to keep splashing even after summer has ended without hefty heating bills.

    Infographic on Solar Pool Heating by Solar Lights & More

  • Exploring the Benefits of Solar Tubes

    If you’re interested in the potential advantages of switching to solar power in the villages , you might begin by thinking about the benefits of solar tubes. A solar tube, also known as a tubular skylight, is a tube that is engineered to capture sunlight from your roof and use it inside your home. Read on for a guide to solar tubes and why you might consider installing them in your North Central Florida household.

    Solar tubes provide natural light. Solar Tubes
    If you have ever wished that you could light your home using natural light instead of artificial light, solar tubes are the perfect solution. When you install a solar tube, it will provide you with dependable natural light wherever you want it.

    Solar tubes are installed quickly.
    Installing solar tubes in your Florida home is a fast and simple process, and the tubes themselves are unobtrusive and integrate well into your home’s design. Accessories such as dimmer switches and light kits are also available to make it more convenient for you to use your new solar tubes.

    Solar tubes are low maintenance.
    Once you’ve installed your solar tubes, you won’t have to worry about them being damaged despite exposure to the outdoors. The tube’s exterior section is protected from the elements by waterproof modified acrylic, which also serves to keep it safe from insects, humidity, and sun damage.

    Solar tubes are better for the environment.
    Solar energy isn’t just free; it’s also a clean, renewable resource that doesn’t create dangerous emissions. You will not only be cutting back your home energy expenses, but also reducing your household’s carbon footprint. By making the switch to solar energy to power your home lighting, you’ll be doing your part to make your community more sustainable.

  • A Look at How Solar Pool Heaters Work

    Once you have installed a solar pool heating system in Clermont or the villages, you may be wondering how your new system works. Solar heating systems function in a relatively simple manner. First, you will set the temperature of the water. During the long North Central Florida day, your system’s solar collectors will capture the energy of the sun’s rays. Cold water from your swimming pool will be pumped through these collectors, warming it before it flows back into your pool. The result is a warm pool that will be perfectly comfortable for you to swim in.

    What happens when the sun sets, or when the sky clouds over? Once the collectors aren’t receiving enough sunlight to warm the water, your pool heating system’s sensor turns off the collectors and stops water from flowing through them. This allows your pool to stay warm until the sun comes out again and your system can resume warming it.

    Solar Pool Heater