You’ve probably heard about solar power and how it can reduce your monthly electric bills. Some people still think that it is an idealistic and unsustainable gimmick, but recent technological advancements have made solar energy a viable solution for saving money, as well as lowering your carbon footprint. If that’s enough to convince you to switch to solar power and invest in solar panels, that’s great. Many reputable solar companies in Idaho can help you get started. But before you dive in any more in-depth, you might want to check out these common pitfalls when choosing solar panels so that you can avoid them.
Neglecting to Get Multiple Quotes from Different Solar Companies
First of all, buying and installing solar panels don’t come cheap. If you have a modern single-family home, you might need a 2 kW system to supply your energy needs. But that is if you are extremely energy efficient. Installation may cost around $15,000 to $20,000. If, however, your energy consumption is more conventional, then you will likely need a 5 kW system which can cost anywhere between $35,000 to $45,000 to install.
These prices sound like a lot of money, and they are, so it’s reasonable to want to cut down on costs however you can. But be careful about how you cut those expenses. You might think that you’re lucky to score a cheap deal, but cheap usually isn’t synonymous with high quality. You get what you pay for, after all. You might be happy with your short-term savings now, but you might regret that decision in the long run. This is why you need to shop around and get as many quotes from different solar providers as possible. This will help give you a clearer idea of your expected costs. For example, a company offering a mere $5,000 on the installation might seem shady when everybody else is charging around $15,000.
With multiple quotes on hand, you can use them as a leverage for negotiating down. And by shopping around, you’ll also get a chance to gauge each company’s expertise and credibility.
Not Bothering to Check the Products and Reputation of the Solar Company
While there are many solar panel companies, not all of them provide the same level of quality of service. Additionally, some of them might not be that experienced or skilled when it comes to solar panel installation. You can use sites like Angie’s List, Yelp, and SolarReviews to check the reputation of most local solar companies in your area. But you still need to form your own opinions. So you need to contact them and ask all the right questions.
Don’t forget, solar installers will be walking around and making penetrations on your roof. If you hire an inexperienced installer, you may save a lot of money now, but the long-term effect may haunt you for a very long time. If your installer messed up the job, he might end up damaging your roof. Remember that your roof protects everything inside your home from the elements.
Switching to solar energy to power your home is the first step in living an eco-friendlier life, as it helps reduce your carbon footprint. You will also get to enjoy lower electricity bills. However, make sure that you hire only the best installers to avoid costly mistakes.
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