Technological innovations have become increasingly evident in every aspect of human life. From building constructions to designs, there are myriads of technological tools and equipment available to give homes and other structures bespoke appearances. Starting from the roof to the floors, every part of the house has its unique technological innovation. One roofing design that has gained wide acceptance over the years is roofing with solar panels.
Among the millions of house owners scattered across the streets and highways of the American cities and towns, roofing with solar panels have become the best bet. Whether you are roofing a newly constructed building or you are replacing your roof, this is the best way you can save yourself from spending excessively on electrical power.
Why Choose To Add Solar Panels?
Home Solar Provides Clean And Renewable Energy:
Traditional electricity is sourced from fossil fuels which include coal and gas. When these fossil fuels is burned, they produce harmful gasses in the process of producing electricity. These gases are both detrimental to humans and the whole ecosystem. Not only is this source of energy terrible for the environment, but it is also a finite resource, and this explains why it keeps fluctuating.
Adding solar power panels to your homes provides you with clean energy. Home solar is a clean and renewable energy source sourced from the sun, and unlike regular fossil fuels, it doesn’t emit harmful substances or cause air pollution. It is also renewable and can be used for a very long time.
By decreasing pollution, installing solar panels in a household eliminates the equivalent of five thousand coal burnings which would have been used to source energy reducing carbon emissions drastically.
It Increases Home Value
Another advantage of installing solar panels is that they increase home values. Across the US, homes with solar energy are valued at over 4.1percent compared to ordinary homes. Solar panels are mostly viewed as upgrades to the house, so installing them will likely not only increase your home value but will also make your home sell on a 20 percent basis faster than a residence without solar.
Roofing with solar panels, especially in your home, is a good investment whether you are selling it or planning to live in it. It doesn’t depreciate but instead makes your home more valuable.
Reduces Cost Of Electricity
Home solar panels help in increasing electricity efficiency as it is domesticated. This way, you control how you utilize your electricity and reduce your bills and energy usage. Installing home panels helps you harness the energy and generate power for your home. Doing so thereby provides you with freedom from utility companies and exorbitant electric bills.
With a solar service agreement, you can get electricity for a low and considerable rate better than electric company rates. You could also get credited for the service you provide based on your utility. The most interesting thing is that the rates of service interruption and blackouts are reduced.
It Has Low-Cost Maintenance
Solar panels don’t require high maintenance. The cost price of both the care is low after their installation, you only need to keep them clean by engaging cleaning agents a couple of times per year. This is enough to keep your solar in shape and good working condition for a considerable long period.
Do You Need A Roof Replacement First?
Replacing your roof before installing a solar panel can be considered a smart move. This is to ensure that the roof can withstand the installation. If, however, your roof is still a long way to its replacement, it would be advisable to have the expert examine it to determine its durability.
Solar panels generally last longer than roofing materials; hence pairing a solar with a new roof will extend the roof’s lifetime. Apart from this, you may likely not need to replace your roofing for a long time after the installation. This will automatically help you save costs related to evacuating and replacing the solar mounting on your roof.
What Is The Cost Implication Of Removing Your Roof?
If you need to replace your roof after installing solar panels, you might need to bear some labor costs related to taking and replacing the panels. However, these costs cannot be predetermined, as each installer will have special prices for their services. The cost can also vary based on the size of the panels and the quantity.
On average, home installations vary from one thousand dollars to six thousand dollars for the removal and replacement of panels. This cost, however, does not include the replacement of your roofing before the re-installation. If this is a concern for you, it is advisable to ask your installer about their warranty coverage plus the cost associated with their services. However, most company’s warranty lasts ten years. This, however, varies amongst companies.
Why Not Opt For Solar Shingles?
Solar shingles are technology offered by companies like Tesla, CertainTeed, etc. Shingles most times seem like the perfect solution if you are considering re-roofing. This is because it replaces the roofing materials; hence you don’t have to spend extra cost replacing the roof and still generate income.
That said, shingles might be great for some people, but they can not be considered as the best option for all houses. This is because there are limited contractors who offer the service, and it comes with a very high price tag, compared to a regular rooftop. It is not only expensive but is less efficient than standard roofing.
Regardless of this, you might want to consider shingles if you plan to replace your roofing as they are more attractive coupled with the income generation advantage.
Is Changing The Roof Worth The Stress?
Generally, replacing your roof is to enable the top to withstand the installation, especially when the roofing is close to its expiration period. Average solars serve households for an extended period and also save their owners thousands of money. Although the replacement might be expensive, the cost they save owners will make up for it.
Hence, replacing your roof does not reduce the worth of the solar or your home. It will instead replenish your expenses and generate more income for you.
Can One Use Solar Panels In Place Of A Roof?
As interesting as solar panels may sound, they cannot be used in place of a roof. Solar panels are easier placed on roofs, and this is because they are segmented in parts, so you see, it wouldn’t be possible to use them as roofing.
However, solar shingles can be used as parts of the roof, unlike the standard solar panel, which is used on the top. Furthermore, solar panels take less time to install and are cost-effective but might not be the best option for some other people. Therefore, it is advisable to learn about different types of solar and their cost implication before proceedings with installations.
Getting A New Roof And Adding Solar Panels
Having decided to replace your roofing and add some panels to your home, it is important to note a few things which are very crucial to your selection of solar panels. These few points will guide you in making the right choice.
You’ll Have To Remove Your Solar Panels To Replace Your Roof
There is no hard or fast way about it; if you want to replace your roof, your solar panels have to come down. As a result, you might experience a bit of power outage pending the time your solar will be replaced. This means you might have to spend more on electricity bills.
Apart from this, you should also note that your employed laborers are not the ones who will remove the solar panels. Roofers generally have no knowledge or the skill to handle panel removal. Hence, you might have to engage the service of a skilled hand to manage the process for you.
Be Careful When Choosing New Roof Materials
In the process of replacing a roof, one might have to go for new roofing material. Here is the tricky part. Not all roof materials use the same solar mounting blocks. Hence, when choosing a new material, it is advisable to go for a more energy-efficient and durable material. It would help to also discuss with your solar installers about the compatibility of your roof and the mounting hardware.
You should also make sure that your mounting hardware is available before your roof replacement is done. This way, roofing with solar panels comes in handy without having to wait too long for re-installation.
Avoid Extra Costs by Replacing Roofs Before Installing Panels.
As stated earlier, it is advisable to have roofs replaced before installing panels. Your roof should often be inspected to determine its health and quality before installation. This is to ensure that the top can withstand the fixation. Removing your solar panels temporary might be expensive; however, it will save you the cost of having to replace both the solar panel and roof if the necessary step is not taken.
Top Five Roof-top Solar Panels Maintenance Tips
Create and maintain a regular cleaning routine
To maintain the perfect working condition of your solar panels, you should create a regular cleaning routine. This cleaning schedule includes washing, dusting, etc. However, special care must be taken when embarking on such a venture.
Solar panels are sturdy; although they allow sun rays and may get dirty occasionally, ordinary water is sometimes enough to do the trick of proper washing. Here are a few things you should note while washing your solar panels.
1) Wash with solar panels cleaning kits; these kits come in handy during solar panels cleaning as they come with several materials, including wiper, biodegradable soap, brush, and a long handle. Wash with the soap and water mixed in a bowl to remove dirt from your panels.
2) Clean solar panels when they are moist and do not use an abrasive sponge or brush on your boards to avoid cracks and scratches on them.
3) Solar panels are generally slippery, so if you must get to the top of the roof, you should ensure that you take proper care lest you fall. You can also use safety ropes for support.
4) Watch out for every sort of dirt and make sure they are removed so it doesn’t build up. Repeat this process for clean and stain-free solar panels.
Clean off snow falls off your panels
Snowfalls on your roofs are regular, especially when you live in the United States. What’s not normal, however, is shoveling or raking them off your panels. When snow falls, the panels are primarily warm from the sunlight they have taken, hence they can withstand and also melt the snow. If, however, there is a need to clean off the snow from the panels, you should make use of hose waters or, better still, wait for an expert to handle such a situation.
Maintain a regular check on your solar power output
The best way to keep your solar panels in shape is to keep tabs on how the system functions. This way, you can easily detect a fault in the system. You must note how much energy has been produced consistently, depicting the time and day.
You should maintain a regular inspection at least once a month from a close view. This will give you an edge into knowing about impending damage/damages which may likely affect the performance of your solar panels. It would help to also keep close communication with your maintenance team to provide a solution to remedy the problem.
Here are a few things you should look out for when conducting your regular checks;
1) Solar panel defects: Check for dirt, damages, and potential hazards, which may call for a replacement and other damages that may need a manufacturer warranty claims
2) Frayed wiring: Check for spoilt and damaged wires around junction boxes and wire connections. Should you notice one, call the attention of your local electrician or solar installation expert for proper fixing.
3) Rusted mounting bolts: Solar panels are fixed with some sets of bolts and nuts. Hence, while making your inspection, check for rusted bolts and loosed ones for replacement. You should also check the condition of your mounting racks to detect any weakness that may hinder the panel’s efficiency.
4) Do not attempt to service your solar panels on your own, and even if you do, be sure to follow the safety measures by using safety ropes. If you can’t service it yourself, you should reach out to an expert.
5) Finally, make sure to watch for the green lights on your inverters. You stand at a risk of no longer generating income for your electricity use if it’s no longer flashing.
Final Thoughts
Solar energy can be considered a reliable and clean source of energy. This is because the energy is derived from the sun, and as such, it doesn’t emit pollutants. Apart from this, it can also generate income for its users and improve the value of a home. Thus, it is no new news that roofing with solar panels is not only a cost-effective alternative, but also an eco-friendly one.