There has never been a better time to install solar! The price per watt PPW of a solar system is the price that the homeowner will pay for every watt of solar being installed.
This figure allows homeowners to directly compare the relative value of various solar offers. This price will vary if a project requires special adders like ground-mounting, a main panel upgrade, EV charger, etc. Another measure of the relative value of a solar system is its price per kWh. A kilowatt-hour is a unit of energy and is equivalent to consuming 1, watts — or 1 kilowatt — of power over one hour. You can think of watts and kilowatt-hours as speed versus distance — your instantaneous rate of power consumption is measured in watts speed , while the total volume of power consumed over a period is measured in kilowatt-hours distance.
The kilowatt-hour is the basis for evaluating the energy costs from both the electric utility and solar. While price per watt is most helpful comparing the relative costs of solar bids, price per kilowatt-hour is mostly used to illustrate the value of solar relative to the base case of continuing to buy your power from the electric utility. While electric bills are subject to continuously increasing rates, purchasing a solar system can be thought of as pre-paying for years of power at a locked-in price, protecting you from decades of rate increases.
The panels are only one component of the overall solar system, and these other components actually form the majority of the cost of the project. Source: U. For example, solar batteries are an increasingly popular option for homeowners seeking resiliency against grid outages, and installing a home battery requires additional components like the battery, backup gateway, and critical loads panel.
Another popular upgrade is installing an electric vehicle charger to accommodate for a future EV purchase. Incentives for solar and batteries are also important components of the overall cost of a solar system. Be sure to consult a professional energy advisor to make sure you understand the full costs and available incentives for your solar system.
The short answer is that it depends. Solar system costs vary widely depending on many factors like the amount of energy needed, the amount of roof space available, the kinds of panels and inverters being used, and whether a battery is included with the solar system.
Especially in places like California and New York, system payments are typically lower than the electric bill the homeowner is paying for anyway! With an investment of this size, homeowners typically have two primary concerns:. Fortunately solar. As a virtual platform, solar. Most companies rely on expensive marketing campaigns and in-home salespeople to sign up homeowners, which leads to an extremely high cost of acquisition for every system they install.
By operating virtually, solar. Here is a direct comparison between average market pricing and solar. To that end, solar. Homeowners who use our platform also have a dedicated Customer Success Representative who will advocate to the installer on their behalf to make sure their system is installed as quickly and seamlessly as possible.
Solar panel costs have fallen dramatically over the last decade and made solar systems more accessible to homeowners than ever before.
Knowing the key terms for evaluating solar system costs and the primary components of solar systems helps to understand the most important considerations that factor into the cost of solar systems. While it might seem like a lot to consider, our Energy Advisors are ready to guide you through the process and connect you with bids from fantastic installers at industry-leading prices! Read More. SmartFlower Solar produces unique, ground-mounted solar panel systems that include a sun tracker and a number of other high-tech features.
As the summer heat starts taking its toll, the idea of installing a home solar panel system starts to make more sense for many homeowners As solar goes mainstream and the price continues to drop, there is a good chance that you have already thought about switching to solar.
The U. Going solar is one of the best ways you can personally combat climate change and make a positive impact. But with climate change comes more The price of solar has decreased In California and many of the other states where solar is prevalent, there is no shortage of golf courses and homes that surround them The process of transitioning to a solar-powered home can be overwhelming for some.
Return to Top. In southern states with moderate climates, these systems run less. A supplemental heat strip adds 3kW to 25kW, dramatically increasing the cost to run. A cheaper auxiliary heating option is using a hydronic coil with heat from a water heater.
Heat pump energy savings are between 3, and 10, kWh per year. Heat pumps are 2 to 3 times more efficient than furnaces, and pay themselves back in energy savings within 5 to 12 years. Plus, heat pumps are inexpensive to run, making them worth the cost.
Heat pumps are energy-efficient in powering appliances such as water heaters, swimming pools, and clothes dryers. A pool heat pump absorbs the heat from the outside air and transfers the heat to the cooler pool water circulating through the heater. A heat pump uses electricity to transfer heat from a cool area to a warm area. Heat pumps warm homes during the winter and cool homes in the summer. The three types of heat pumps are air-to-air, water source, and geothermal, which collect heat from the air, water, or ground outside the home.
Heat pumps work by absorbing heat from a cool area and moving it to a warm area. A compressor pumps refrigerant between two heat exchanger coils. One coil evaporates the refrigerant and absorbs heat from the air. The refrigerant is then transferred to the second coil, where it condenses and releases the absorbed heat. Heat pumps last 15 to 20 years on average. The life expectancy of a heat pump depends on the type, brand, maintenance history, and the local climate. Heat pumps have a similar lifespan to an AC unit, but last about 10 years less than a furnace.
Geothermal or ground-source heat pumps supply heat, cool, and hot water by transferring heat to or from the ground. An absorption heat pump is an air-source heat pump powered by geothermal or solar-heated water rather than electricity. A new furnace may require installing expensive gas lines, which makes a heat pump the cheaper option. In northern climates, heat pumps may require a furnace for backup heating. Still have questions? Ask a heat pump pro. View Pros Return to Top.
Get free estimates. How much will your heat pump cost? Glue-down installations tend to be more expensive for labor because the material must be rolled after it is put down. This takes additional labor and time.
However, the glue-down material is usually less expensive, so the cost of the labor and material tends to even out between click-lock and glue-down once the material is installed. The material is the easiest to install and the lowest cost in general. This material is so easy to install that many homeowners choose it for DIY installation. It is not quite as long-lasting as a glue-down installation but can be used on more uneven floors than a floating installation.
Peel-and-stick vinyl plank floors are less common than the other types, so you will have fewer options to choose from. This is also known as a tongue-and-groove or floating floor. Floating vinyl planks do not adhere directly to the subfloor 2.
Instead, they click together along their edges. This installation requires the subfloor to be perfectly smooth and flat, taking a little more time than a peel-and-stick floor installation.
The planks are also usually thicker and more rigid to make the installation easier. This makes the installation and material costs higher than peel-and-stick. This material is usually a little thinner and more flexible than click-lock. So while the installation is slightly harder and more expensive, the material is less costly. Glue-down vinyl floors are not easy to DIY.
They require a heavy metal roller to go over the floors after installation. Once down, these floors are very hard to get back up. Get free estimates from trusted vinyl plank flooring installation companies near me Get Free Estimates.
Vinyl plank flooring is fairly low maintenance. It does not require any special cleaners or waxing. Some types may scratch, so do not drag furniture across them. The material is not affected by moisture or water, so it can be installed in damp areas. Sweep or vacuum it regularly to remove debris that may scratch it. Mop as needed to remove surface stains. Vinyl is non-porous and does not absorb moisture, so it is unlikely to permanently stain.
Vinyl plank flooring is a tough, durable material that can be used anywhere in the home. It can be installed in wet areas like basements and bathrooms without consequences. It also has a range of colors, styles, and installation methods to choose from, so it can be a good fit for many homes.
The material has some drawbacks, however. It is thinner than many other premium floors. Therefore, it may not always be very comfortable underfoot. It is also more prone to scratching than other premium vinyl floor types. Its thinness means that the substrate must be very smooth for the best installation. If you choose to use a glue-down installation, keep in mind that the adhesive grows stronger over time. This means the material is extremely difficult to remove once installed.
Vinyl plank and laminate flooring are often installed as an alternative to hardwood floors. Both floors mimic the style and appearance of hardwood. Both materials are often installed in a floating floor installation, although you can either nail or glue down laminate and glue down vinyl. Vinyl is also available as a peel-and-stick option for DIY homeowners.
Of the two, laminate is more forgiving in terms of installation. While vinyl requires a very flat substrate, laminate can be more flexible. However, vinyl is the more durable of the two materials.
It is less likely to scratch than laminate and can be installed in damp and wet areas without swelling or warping the way laminate might. Vinyl planks are less expensive than laminate. Below is the cost to install both materials in an average sq. Vinyl plank is often considered a lower-cost alternative to hardwood flooring. These planks are usually modeled on hardwood. They are given the same colors and grain patterns of different wood species.
Vinyl is less expensive than wood and can be used in wet areas, while hardwoods should not. However, true hardwood floor has a look and feel that cannot be perfectly duplicated by vinyl.
In addition, hardwood can last for hundreds of years when treated properly. Vinyl only lasts for around 20 to 50 years when treated properly. Vinyl can be very difficult to remove when glued down. Hardwood floors can enhance the value of a home and make it easier to sell, while vinyl floors do not. If you are on a budget, vinyl floors are less expensive and easier to install.
This can make them a good choice for homeowners who want to boost the appearance of a room at a lower cost. Find top-rated vinyl plank flooring installers near me Find Pros. While some vinyl types can be installed over an existing floor, you may need to remove the old floor first. Vinyl plank floors do not require an underlayment 3 and should be installed without one.
The only exception is a vapor barrier. When installing vinyl in a basement or damp area, a vapor barrier may be necessary to prevent mold growth. If you install vinyl flooring in a room that abuts a space with a different floor, consider installing a threshold or transition strip.
These bridge the gap between the two floors and create a smooth transition. You can install radiant floor heating 4 under your vinyl plank floor. Radiant floor heating warms the people and objects in the room directly, making it a more efficient way of heating.
When installing vinyl flooring in a basement or other damp area, you may want to put down a vapor barrier 5 first. This helps prevent moisture from building up under the planks, which may prevent mold from growing. Luxury vinyl planks LVP are a type of vinyl plank. They are thicker, more durable, and have a more realistic-looking inlaid pattern. Standard vinyl planks are thinner with a printed pattern, so they do not look as nice.
If you use the material in a damp area without a vapor barrier, yes, mold can grow beneath it. Always use a vapor barrier in basements and other damp areas to help avoid this issue.
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