Thinking of Your Next Home Improvement Project? Think Solar

Home improvement projects have risen while we've been stuck inside our houses for the past couple of months. What better activity to take up some extra time on our hands than improving our homes? From switching out your bulbs to LEDs to creating your home garden to exploring delicious new recipes, we've mentioned a few projects in recent weeks that the employees at Sun Valley Solar have tackled with the extra time spent inside.

One area you might not be quick to place some home-improvement focus on is your roof—and ways to utilize that space with solar. With the days getting longer and the heat setting in, going solar is a wise option in our great and sunny state. After all, we have free electricity "raining" down on us more than 300 days a year! So, if you're looking for your next home improvement "honey-do," here are four reasons to consider solar.

Limited-time solar incentives

The federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) is the most lucrative incentive for going solar—but it's getting smaller. It currently sits at 26%, a decline of 4% from previous years. It will decrease again to 22% in 2023 before disappearing completely for homeowners beginning January 1, 2024. 

While 4% less than in previous years, the 26% rate still has a sizable impact on the payback period, reducing it by several years in some estimates. The payback period will extend considerably when it drops to 0% in 2024. So, if you're inclined to turn Arizona's most abundant natural resource into immediate energy savings, we strongly recommend grabbing the 26% rate while it's still here.  

Enjoy a cooler and more affordable summer

When you go solar, you can set your temperature slightly lower than you might normally do without fearing a high utility bill waiting for you at the end of the month. We've already seen seasonally high temperatures this year, so switching to solar will ensure you can live comfortably at the peak of the summer heat. While combating the higher summer temperatures, your home will have a more cost-effective energy source to draw from. In contrast, your non-solar neighbors will have to purchase increasingly expensive peak-season power from the local utility. This is particularly important now that more families are sheltering at home. 

Increase your home's property value

If you install solar on your home and you move in a couple of years, you might be stuck wondering what to do. With solar panel lifespan measured in decades rather than years, this is a common question many potential solar customers ask. The good news is that your solar investment is still possible if you move for a couple of years. A recent Zillow report showed that adding solar to your house can increase your property value by 4%. As more and more consumers shift to green eco-mindedness, houses with solar will command more attention on the market than their more-traditional counterparts.

Security in times of crisis

Now more than ever, we've realized how important it is to be secure for whatever life throws our way. Going solar lets you lock in predictable and affordable energy costs for years. And with utilities increasing their rates almost every year, you can save that money that would otherwise be paid on your monthly electric bill. Batteries also offer additional security while expanding the effectiveness of a solar array. Combining the two will greatly reduce your reliance on your power utility and squash costly demand fees, which will help you save money to prepare for the future.

If you are interested in exploring solar, we have all the virtual tools necessary to help you explore options and pricing and answer any questions from the comfort of your computer or phone.