If someone has a 4000 square foot home and they spend $800 a month on electricity, are they a better candidate for solar power than someone in a 1200 square foot home that spends $75 a month on energy?
Not at all. In fact, homes between 1000 and 1700 square feet, with the right solar panels, can expect to pay about $10 a month towards their power utility. So really, regardless of home size, there are significant savings to be made.
Now that you know the truth about home sizes and potential savings with solar panels, it’s time to learn how to find the best solar panel company to ensure your investment is minimal, and that you are set up to rake in the most savings. This article will cover some of the critical things homeowners should consider when looking for the best solar panel company to set them up with a great deal on a solar system that will significantly improve the household’s lifestyle.
Find a Solar Panel Company that Offers a Free Inspection and Estimate
Regardless of home size, any solar panel company with a reputable business model will provide prospective clients with a complimentary inspection and estimate. After all, are you going to invest in solar panels if you don’t know how long it will take to get an ROI, or how much you are expected to save every month?
The best solar panel companies will come to your home, inspect the home’s layout, roof, and other specs. Then they will analyze your previous utility bills going as far back as to a year, and recommend the right kind of solar panel equipment to garner the best savings. Some solar panel companies only offer this free service on homes that exceed 3000 square feet (or they have another limit). But the size of the homes doesn’t matter when it comes to the potential for greater savings. That said, partner with a solar system installer that treats all customers equally, and that serves all families to help them get the best savings possible.
Look at the Warranty
Solar panel warranties are a major component to securing the best deal and greatest savings on a new solar panel system. While many solar companies pitch their deal with a 10-year warranty (and people seem to like it), this really isn’t a good deal. First of all, the average homeowner in California spends significantly more time in their home than 10 years before downgrading or upgrading to another property. That said, it makes sense to choose a company that offers a 25 year warranty. This way not only will you be covered throughout the time you spend in your home, but the warranty can roll over to the next homeowner this increasing your property’s resale value and making it more competitive in this tight market.
Finally, your solar panel warranty should do more than just protect the panels. The warranty should also cover the racking, inverter, workmanship, performance guarantee, racking and the roof. This is an example of an iron clad warranty that will protect you in unexpected situations.
Current solar industry studies estimate that, on average, California homes can expect to save $30,000 in savings over the lifecycle of the panels when families switch to solar energy. Call Solar Optimum today, and schedule your free inspection and quote.