Going Solar: How to Take Baby Steps Toward Switching to Sun Power

Once you have made the decision to go solar, how do you decide the extent of your solar power switch? You don't have to go completely off the grid to benefit from solar power. In fact, there are many ways to switch just some of your home's electricity usage to solar power.

The first consideration will probably be cost. The cost of installing a complete home solar setup can be quite high. If you opt for the latest technology, all new parts and professional installation, you might pay up to $50,000. For many people, this cost is beyond reach.

Instead of switching over all at once, many homeowners decide to make small changes at first. You may want to start with a solar water heater. This is probably the single best way to start switching to solar power. The average home spends about $250 to $400 annually to power their electric water heater. A solar water heater provides the heat for free.

A solar powered attic fan is another great step to take. These fans don't cost much to purchase, and they have plenty of benefits. Running on solar power means that the attic fan won't cost you anything to operate. It will move hot air out of your attic and increase air circulation in the whole house. An attic fan is one of the best ways to reduce the amount of energy your air conditioner needs to operate.

If you're ready to take a larger step, a solar heating system can dramatically lower your energy costs. The most popular type of solar heating is a radiant heating system. Water is heated with solar power and circulated through a system of pipes in the home. The pipes are below the floor in the home, so the heat generated rises to warm the entire room.

This type of system is complicated and expensive to install. However, once it's in place, your home heating is virtually free. A radiant heating system is often integrated with a solar water heating system. These two changes alone can save you over 80 percent on your home energy bills.

For those people who choose to go completely off the grid, there are a few more things to consider. You will need to include batteries in your solar energy system. Since you don't have backup electricity from the power company, you need a way to store the solar-generated power.

A lot of people are surprised to learn that they can actually sell electricity to the power company. If you are still connected to the grid and have a solar setup, you may make money from solar power. When you produce more solar power than your home uses, the electricity can be sold to your electric company. It won't make you rich, but it can help to offset the costs of your solar power equipment.

Only you can decide how far you want to take your solar adventure. If you are just starting out and don't have much to spend, think small. Get a few panels for your roof. Solar how to websites can even show you how to make your own solar panels or solar water heater.

You can always add to your setup as time goes by. When your budget allows, buy a few more pieces. Keep building your solar power production until you are happy with it.

Many people think that living off the grid means living in a hut in the wilderness. This couldn't be further from the truth. Today, some of the most technologically and architecturally advanced buildings use solar power. New homes are increasingly incorporating solar power in their designs.

You can live off the grid in the middle of the city if you choose. However, if that hut in the wilderness is your dream, you can do that, too. Since solar power doesn't require you to be near power lines, you can use it anywhere. All you need to start is an idea of where you want to go. Once you decide which parts of your home to power solar, how to make it happen will fall into place.

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Video instructions for your next solar project. Solar How To. information is free and available to you.

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