Go Solar Its What the Catholics Do

Going green is not just about being a hippy any more. Adding a solar roof or any other type of energy efficiency improvements is about survival. Not about your physical survival or that of our kids but about the survival of our bank accounts and our way of life. Energy cost have steadily increased for years and we are becoming increasingly pinched by our dependence on foreign oil. There is a better way to do this, why do we not do it now?

Challenges we face

Homeowners face many challenges when it comes to building a new home or improving an old one. There are tough decisions about cost versus efficiency aside from the construction related issues we already deal with. The bottom line is that preparing your home for the future is a must. And you must take into account rising energy costs and the long term price of things such as a solar roof. These improvements may at first seem expensive but after looking over the numbers you will often find out that in the long run they provide significant cost savings.

Going green offers homeowners a long term alternative to conserve energy and reduce costs. A green home will be a significant investment but it will continue to appreciate in value at a much higher rate than other more traditional homes. Aside from using renewable energy in your home you could also construct out of recycled products, use other green building techniques to improve efficiency, and utilize your local environment.

Green for God

The state inside a city - The Vatican in 2008 reported that it is installing enough solar roof panels to produce 300 megawatts of electricity per year. This is enough to supply all of the Vatican’s power needs. The roof panels will be installed on the historic landmark of St. Peter’s Basilica. Solar is not just for new construction, this will save the Catholic church thousands if not millions per year in energy costs.

On The Home

Solar roof panels not only absorb the energy produced by the sun but they also provide another layer of protection for your roof. In addition to this they also act as insulation, by keeping cool air in during the summer and the opposite in the winter. They also reflect much of the ultraviolet rays that cause damage to roofs. Installing solar panels has the ability to not only generate electricity but also to reduce your energy needs and protect your roof.

A good place to start your search for solar panels is to contact local contractors if you are not comfortable doing the installation yourself. You could also consult online guides or ebooks for price comparisons and technical manuals. If you decide that installing a solar roof is something that you can handle you may want to consider taking a solar installation class. Many such classes are offered by public outreach programs or local community colleges. Shop around, some classes are expensive and others are put on free of charge.

How much Solar do you need?

This a common question and not too difficult to answer. You can easily find out how much electricity you use by consulting your electric bill. Look for the kilowatt hours. You will need about 100 square feet of surface to per kilowatt. Most home will need about 3 kilowatts. This depends greatly on exposure and latitude.

With the rising cost of energy financing the cost of a solar roof and including it in your mortgage is a very valid option. Once you pay it off you will still be provided with electricity. Electric bills are commonly $300-$500 in some areas and this is not at all an investment.

There are currently numerous federal and state incentive programs that will pay for a large portion of your renewable energy project. This can be looked at as a personal stimulus plan that will not only promote environmental well being but also promote a blossoming sector of the economy and be an investment in your financial future. Adding a solar roof to your home could be the best investment you ever make.