New Homes Today Magazine
Renewable Rewards
Why Should You Consider Solar for Your New Home?
By Bernie Pallissard
More Arizonans than ever are adding solar energy to their homes, and for good reason. With an annual average of 300 days of sunshine in Arizona, installing solar panels is great a way to put the sun to work and save money!
Solar is an especially important consideration when looking for a new home for several reasons:
1.
Buying a new home with solar reduces the typical up-front cost of solar.
2.
By including the cost of solar in your mortgage, you can take advantage of low financing rates.
3.
Your home is built to best integrate solar into the design.
4.
APS rebates and state and federal tax credits typically allow you save up to 50 percent on the cost of a solar installation.
5.
You'll be reducing your monthly electric and/or gas bill immediately.
6.
You'll save even more over time as energy prices increase.
7.
Installing solar will increase the resale value of your new home.
When solar is added to an APS ENERGY STAR home, the rewards are even greater. Because of the energy efficiency features built into your new home, you will need less energy plus you'll be producing a portion of your household's energy needs with solar. You'll have the potential to cut your energy costs by as much as 50 percent.
So when you're shopping for a new home, be sure to look for an APS ENERGY STAR + Solar home, such as those featured on newhomestoday.com.
What Are the Solar Options for Your New Home?
There are two types of solar products that your homebuilder may make available for your new home?solar electric and solar water heating.
A solar electric system, also referred to as a photovoltaic or PV system, uses the sun's rays to generate electricity, reducing the amount of electricity you need to purchase. Your home remains connected to the APS grid so you'll always have energy anytime you need it. When your PV system produces more energy than you need, the electricity is fed back into the APS grid and you will be credited for that power.
A solar water heater uses the sun to heat your water and offset your water heating costs. This could save you as much as 15 percent of your energy bill. Solar hot water systems typically have electric or gas backup so you will always have hot water.
Whether you choose a solar electric system, a solar water heater or both, you'll be replacing a portion of your energy needs with clean, renewable energy and saving money on your energy bill over the life of your home.
Bernie Pallissard is Marketing Manager for APS Renewable Energy Programs.
