Solar power is a popular alternative to traditional forms of electricity. The renewable resource allows homeowners to generate eco-friendly and cost-effective energy for their homes.
Get creative to discover methods for implementing solar power to transform your life.
Here are 5 unique tips to stylishly incorporate solar power at home:
- Purchase a Solar-Powered Water Heater
Purchase a solar water heater for your home.
Traditional water heaters powered by gas or electricity consume massive amounts of energy. Switching to a solar-powered water heater is a simple way to drastically reduce your energy usage, promote a greener environment, and minimalistically add solar to your home.
Two types of solar water heaters are available: Active water heaters and passive water heaters. Active water heaters utilize circulating pumps and controls to heat and distribute water whereas passive water heaters function by heat rising naturally.
Generally, active systems are more expensive and efficient than passive systems, but passive systems are less expensive and considered more reliable. It’s important to evaluate your home’s needs and habits to select an efficient model that’ll benefit you and your budget.
Discover an energy-efficient and cost-effective solar water heater to transform your home’s energy usage.
- Install Solar Outdoor Lighting
Install solar outdoor lighting to illuminate your home’s exterior.
Outdoor lights are essential to enhancing curb appeal, increasing safety precautions, and lighting the necessary pathways. Choose a stylish and environmentally-friendly option by purchasing solar lights.
Solar-powered lights contain a solar cell, Ni-Cad rechargeable battery, LED light, and photoresistor. During the daylight, the solar cell harnesses the sun’s energy to charge the battery. At night, the photoresistor recognizes the absence of light and activates the battery to turn on the light.
Outdoor solar lights come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles, including security lights and floodlights. Before purchasing your ideal lighting system, survey your landscape to guarantee enough sunlight is available to power your lights.
Create a safe environment and beautiful exterior by adding outdoor solar-powered lights to your home.
- Solar Heat the Swimming Pool
Utilize solar heating for your swimming pool.
At the beginning of the swimming season, pools are too cold to properly enjoy, and unfortunately, traditional systems for heating pools are incredibly expensive. Bring fun back to your family by inexpensively warming your pool with solar power.
Solar pool heating systems typically involve multiple parts including:
- A solar collector: A device that circulates pool water to heat it by the sun
- A filter: Responsible for removing dirt and debris before water circulates through the solar collector
- A pump: Moves water through the filter, solar collector, and back to the pool
- A flow control valve: A device that diverts pool water to the solar collector
Solar heating systems are directly installed to heat water and pump it back to the pool. Before selecting a pool heating system, evaluate the sunlight necessary, model efficiency, pool size, expected costs, and local regulations to find the perfect fit for your home.
Enjoy your swimming experience by installing a simple and cost-effective solar pool heating system.
- Design Rooftop Solar Panels
Completely power your home with solar energy by incorporating rooftop solar panels.
Homeowners are typically uninterested in solar panels because they’re considered bulky and unattractive. If you strategically design your rooftop solar panels, you can create a stylish home that’ll attract attention and boost property value.
Three main style decisions exist regarding solar panels: Frame, backing, and wiring. Each choice impacts the efficiency, aesthetics, and costs of your solar panels. In general, wireless panels with a black frame and black backing are considered the most attractive whereas wired panels with a silver frame and white backing are viewed as the least attractive.
On average, homes require 28-34 solar panels to fully cover energy consumption, which can cost between $10-15,000. Before finalizing this major investment, analyze your values to select solar panels that align with your energy, style, and budgetary needs.
Utilize solar power at home by designing and installing solar panels.
- Participate in Community Solar
Participate in community solar to supply solar energy to your home and avoid all installation.
Community solar refers to a group of people sharing electricity generated by collectively harnessing solar power.
Shared solar projects begin by a third party installing numerous solar panels. The panels are used to convert the sun’s energy into electricity and deliver it to the local power grid. Utility companies then distribute the electricity to homes and businesses subscribed to the service.
Community solar is an excellent alternative to installing individual solar panels because you’re able to positively impact the environment and significantly lower your electric bill without installing expensive and burdensome solar panels.
Discover an opportunity near you by searching for community solar in New York.
Power your home with solar energy by incorporating these 5 unique and stylish tips.