A solar installation in your Kansas City area home, while requiring a relatively high initial investment, can bring eco-friendly and economical energy to your home, with long-term benefits in both energy savings and comfort.Should you go solar?

Knowing whether your home is right for solar power is the first step toward energy savings. Determining factors include:

• Location: Even with harsh winters, the Kansas City area gets ample sunshine throughout the year to keep solar panels going. On average, your home will get 4.5 hours of sunshine per day.
• Roof: If your home’s roof faces south, you’re in a great position for your solar panels to harness that sunshine all day long. Your roof also should be large enough to install solar panels and relatively free of obstruction and tree cover. If your roof is older, consider wrapping a new roof into your solar panel project since the panels will likely outlast your roof (most come with a 25-year warranty).
• Utility costs: If your utility’s electricity prices are relatively high, solar can be a great choice for producing your own cheaper energy. If your electric bill is around $150 a month, you use about 1,425 kilowatts (kW) per month. A 5 kW capacity solar installation would provide half your home’s heating and cooling energy.
• Insurance coverage: Check whether your homeowner’s insurance policy covers solar collectors.

Recoup some of your investment

The federal tax credit for 30 percent of photovoltaic (PV) panel installation costs is available through Dec. 31, 2016. There is no monetary limit on the tax credit. At Overland Park Heating & Cooling, we can help you determine the exact cost of your solar installation since costs vary based on your energy requirements.

For more expert advice on solar installation or solar maintenance, please contact us at Overland Park Heating & Cooling. We’ve been serving the Kansas City area since 1983.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Overland Park, Kansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

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