Energy efficiency, solar energy, solar panels. These are all buzzwords pertaining to how well your home is functioning. But should you be jumping on the bandwagon, calling renewable energy experts to install solar panels on your roof? Before you make the investment and use our directory to find a professional, read about how to evaluate your home’s energy use.
Solar panels are a neat tool that are installed on the rooftop of homes; they absorb the sun and that energy is used to generate heat or electricity for your home. It’s a great way to save money on utility bills and improve the energy efficiency of your home.
But the initial cost is quite a large investment, ranging anywhere from $20,000 to $40,000! How can you tell if it’s a wise investment for your home?
Project Sunroof
When you have a question, you reach out to Google, right? Well, Google wants to answer this question for you. It’s developed a new project that helps you identify if your home can benefit from solar panels: Project Sunroof.
Source: DIY Network Blog.
How it Works
Project Sunroof can assess your home’s energy needs. According to Global News, the service requires your home address so it can take into account how much sun exposure your home gets.
Once you’ve entered in an address, it’ll give you the following breakdown:
- 3D model of your roof;
- All possible sun positions throughout the year;
- Cloud and temperature patterns that could affect solar energy production.
Not only that, but Project Sunroof will make a recommendation as to how many solar panels you need based on the amount of sun hitting the roof and how large it is. It’ll also give you an indication of how much you could save on your electricity bills. This way, you can make an informed decision when it comes to your home’s energy.
There’s just one downside – Project Sunroof can only evaluate home energy in San Francisco, Fresno and Boston. Stay tuned for it to hit your city!
Take a look at this video to learn more about Project Sunroof:
Others are doing it, too
This isn’t the first energy tool homeowners can turn to when it comes to saving on energy. In May, Tesla unveiled its home battery, which stores a surplus of energy to be used when necessary. Not only that, but it acts as a backup. When the power goes out, the Tesla battery will kick in, keeping you in warmth and light during the cold winter.
Read more about the Telsa battery here.
Source: Tesla.
Should you cash in on the savings?
While Project Sunroof is available in select cities, that doesn’t mean you can’t evaluate your home’s energy. Speak to an energy specialist to find out if your home could benefit from solar energy panels. We have an extensive directory of renewable energy experts who can determine if your home could benefit from solar energy panels and identify any savings in the process.
