Keeping your home’s exterior well-lighted especially during night time is very important. Lights aren’t only attractive to look at and improve the overall beauty of your home, these are also helpful in keeping your home safe and secure. If you are wondering whether the benefits of installing garden solar lights is worth the effort and money you will have to spend to get them, then you must know that it is worth every sweat and penny.
First of all, it is good to know that you don’t even have to have a full solar panel setup on your roof or yard just to make these lights work. They work on their own as they have smaller solar panels attached to them, which get power from the sun. Homeowners are now switching to garden solar lights for a variety of reasons. If you’re still in the process of making a decision of whether you want to get these lights or not, then you must know about the many benefits of installing garden solar lights. Here are only a few of them: 1. Reduced Energy Costs If you already have existing lights installed in your garden, then you probably already know how these add up to your electric bill. Especially if you keep the lights on the entire night and if you have several lights around your yard, then expect energy costs to build up, even if you’re using cost-effective bulbs like LED lights. Solar lights for your garden use solar energy. Solar is free because it comes from the sun. In that case, having garden solar lights don’t incur any additional charge to your electric bill. 2. Variety of Beautiful Options Aside from the options you have when it comes to the design of the actual lighting fixtures, you can place these garden solar lights pretty much anywhere you wish in the exterior of your home. It doesn’t even matter if it’s a hundred feet away from a power source because solar lights don’t require any electrical wiring. They work on their own using solar energy. Imagine how amazing your garden would look like when you have all these lights shining bright even on the darkest of nights. 3. Added Safety and Security More than the savings or the beauty these garden solar lights bring, its most important benefit is that it offers added safety and security for your family and your property. If you had to turn off exterior lights before going to bed just because you don’t want to waste electricity, you need not do this with solar lights. You can practically leave them the entire night without worrying about any bill at all. This means intruders would have to think twice about entering your property as they can easily be spotted when it remains bright all the time. At TEO Solar, we offer installation of solar lights for your garden and other areas of your property. Our services range from residential to commercial solar and a whole lot more solar-related products. For decades now, we’ve provided service across Orange City, Crescent Beach, De Leon Springs, Bunnel, Daytona Beach, Port Orange and other surrounding areas. Call us at 386-437-2671 for a free estimate.
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Once you already have solar panels installed on your property, you will begin reaping its benefits including reduced energy costs. Generally speaking, there’s not much maintenance required for these solar panels except for seasonal checkups to ensure that they’re still working great. Especially if you’re relying on solar power for many of your appliances at home, it is best to keep in mind some solar panel cleaning tips so you can also be sure of your energy source’s efficiency and reliability. Solar panels are built with very durable materials. These are meant to last for many years or even up to a couple of decades or more. However, just like other things exposed to varying weather conditions outdoors, solar panels may need maintenance to prolong its lifespan and efficiency. Furthermore, if your solar panels are placed on your roof or yard, you may want to keep them clean so these would remain good looking too. After all, who would want dirty panels around their property, right? DIY Solar Panel Cleaning Tips If it’s pretty easy and guaranteed safe to climb up the roof of your home on your own, if this is where the solar panels are, or if the panels are within easy reach if placed on the ground, then by all means you can do the cleaning job on your own. While it is highly recommended for you to call for professional assistance, it is quite understandable if you would like to try cleaning on your own as well. For as long as the panels are in great shape, cleaning would be very simple for you. More often than not, solar panels are placed in an inclined position. This means that the wind can easily blow dust and other foreign objects just fall off. When it rains, the solar panels are practically cleaning themselves too. But of course, there may be some bird droppings or even grime that may build up through time. The first step is for you to use a gentle brush to loosen any materials that may have been stuck onto the panels. Note that you shouldn’t be using hard metal brushes as these may damage or scratch the solar panels. After brushing off the dirt, you can then water down the solar panels until it is completely clean. You may also dry off the panels using a soft cloth or sponge. Do Solar Panels Have to Be Cleaned?
As mentioned, solar panels practically clean themselves through time with the wind blowing and rainwater washing dirt off every once in a while. Truth be told, you don’t really have to clean your solar panels all too often. In fact, you don’t even have to clean it at all unless the dirt has built up so much that it has become pretty obvious and unattractive to look at. If not, then leave your panels be. If you insist, it is best to reach out with a residential solar panel contractor to ask for recommendations. You must remember that solar panels are usually covered by warranty, and any mistake you make may lead to voiding that warranty coverage. TEO Solar offers solar repairs and service, including cleaning and maintenance when needed. Our team of experts are more than happy to assist you in making sure your solar panel installation is in perfect shape and works efficiently at all times. We service Daytona Beach, Palm Coast, Ormond Beach, Port Orange and surrounding areas. Call us at 386-437-2671 for a free estimate. Hurricane season is here and every household must be prepared. While you may have considered all the basic essentials you need in case of an emergency, it is still possible for unexpected unfortunate things to happen such as damage to your property. In the event these damages require reinstallation of solar panels after a hurricane in your area, you must know that your solar contractor is ready to help you out. Solar Panels Should Be Hurricane-Proof Solar panels are ideally made of high quality and very durable materials. Strong winds and heavy rains shouldn’t really destroy them. In fact, we’ve seen several installations that remain intact even after the roof of a home has been heavily damaged. In this case, you can have the solar panels removed and reinstalled instead. Of course, a damaged roof can’t be fixed properly if solar panels are in the way. You would be amazed how a high quality solar panel can withstand such severe weather conditions. Therefore, these panels need to be removed first so that necessary roof repairs can be done. If they are still in perfect condition, which is very likely, then the panels may then be reinstalled. If there’s also some damage to the panels, these can be fixed or repaired prior to reinstallation. Ask Your Solar Contractor for Recommendations If a hurricane hits your area hard, then it is not impossible for another hurricane to happen again in the future. If you believe that your solar panels are best placed elsewhere on your roof or on the ground, then better ask the contractor for recommendations. While reinstallation can be done again in the future should these unfortunate events happen the second time around, moving the panels to another location in your property would be a more practical choice. If you feel like its original location is not too ideal anymore, then seek an expert’s advice on whether there’s a better area to place or reinstall your solar panels. TEO Solar is an expert in solar panel removal and reinstall with many years of experience in residential and commercial properties. We can guarantee that our panels are hurricane-proof and we use hurricane-rated fasteners. Should you need our assistance in solar panel reinstallation, give us a call at 386-437-2671. Our services are available at Daytona Beach, Deland, Palm Coast, Port Orange and other nearby towns. If you already have a solar energy source installed in your home, you definitely made the right choice. Solar power is one of the cleanest, if not the cleanest energy source currently available for residential, commercial and even industrial property owners. By relying on solar power for your electricity needs, you are doing the world a favor by doing something that’s friendly to the environment. Now you only have to make sure you have the most efficient solar panels at all times to ensure proper and seamless operation. To ensure efficient operation on your solar panels, check out the tips below: 1. Clean solar panels as needed. Solar panels need some cleaning too. You don’t have to do it every single day though because you might end up damaging the solar panels, rather than doing them any good. Just get rid of too much dust or fallen leaves and other foreign objects on the panels, and that should be enough. 2. Schedule maintenance services. Ideally, solar panels require very little maintenance. However, it would be much better if you get your panels maintained every year or so. This way, you can be sure that your panels are still functioning as efficiently as it was when it was brand new. 3. Make sure that you get solar panels installed and maintained by a licensed contractor. A common mistake among solar panel owners is getting their local handyman, who has zero knowledge on solar energy, to install, clean and maintain the panels to save a little bit of money. This wrong move can cost you even more in the future should the panels sustain any damage because of improper installation and/or maintenance. 4. Regularly check the efficiency of your solar panels. Efficiency of solar panels can be checked using a multimeter. You may ask your contractor to visit you regularly for checking, or you can also ask your contractor to teach you how to use the multimeter on your own. If you may notice, many of these considerations include calling a reliable licensed contractor. That’s simply because solar panels require a fairly large investment. With the proper knowledge, tools and experience, you can have your much deserved peace of mind that your solar panels are working just fine. To ensure that your solar panels remain most efficient, call TEO Solar for solar repairs and service, and assistance on just about anything solar. We service Daytona Beach, Deltona, Palm Coast and New Smyrna Beach among other nearby cities. Call TEO Solar at 386-437-2671 for a free quote. Having solar panels installed in your property can be quite pricey. But time and again, it has been discussed that the investment you would set aside for solar panel installation is very much worth it. Eventually, you will be saving a lot of money from reduced energy bills. You will also have access to sustainable clean energy that would be very helpful to the environment. Despite all the many reasons switching to solar energy is a great move, some property owners still opt to pass for now and just try later. Solar Energy is an Investment An investment is defined as spending or investing money to gain profit in the future. For example, one invests on a business so that he would receive shares in that business’ revenue once it is already in operation. A real estate investor would buy properties that he believes would increase in value over the next few years, and eventually sell the same property for a larger amount at the right time. What some property owners fail to realize is that while you don’t sell the actual solar panels in the future for profit, the amount you spend on solar panel installation in the beginning is far less compared to the amount of savings you will get from reduced energy bills. Remember - energy prices get higher through the years. It may seem like a small amount of savings now, but then the number would accumulate through the years and become very significant. Furthermore, the value of those solar panels would not depreciate through the years. In case you will be selling your property in the future, what would then be the current value of your solar panel feature will add to the total selling price of your property. Ask Your Contractor To discuss more about the benefits of solar energy and how it is such a great investment, it would be best to speak with your contractor. The contractor would know your property area best and can check on your current property features. Everything you need to know about solar energy would best be explained by a reliable and trustworthy contractor. And if you want to be sure you’re dealing with only the best in the solar energy industry, give us a call. At TEO Solar, we take pride in our team of experts who are more than happy to assist you in all of your solar panel needs. We serve areas across Port Orange, Deltona, Palm Coast, Bunnel and beyond. Call us at 386-437-2671 for a free estimate and to set an appointment. Many property owners consider switching to various forms of green energy in order to decrease their carbon footprint. Because of the increased awareness on the negative effects of global warming, countless individuals are now concerned about making changes to their daily lives. After all, we only have one planet to live in, so we better take care of it the best way we can. These changes, no matter how little or huge they may be, can have very significant effects. However, it’s true that it is very challenging to even start making a difference. It takes effort, time and even money. Solar energy is fast becoming a popular choice among many property owners. Those who were willing to risk and invest on solar power are now enjoying its great benefits. Having solar panels installed in your home can cost you a chunk of your savings in the beginning, but you will certainly save more than what you spent in the near future. Aside from reduced energy bills, possible incentives from the government and more, among the many advantages of having solar power for your home is its ability to increase the selling value of your real estate. How exactly can green energy through solar power increase the selling value of your home? Here are some facts that may help enlighten you: Real estate buyers are willing to pay more for solar-powered properties. While properties with solar panels are no longer uncommon, there are not too many that are readily available on the market. Picture this - if there are a couple of very similar houses for sale in a neighborhood, the one which already has solar panels installed will most likely cost more. The cost of solar panels don’t depreciate through time. Because these are durable and expected to last for decades, your existing solar panels in your home would still have value even after years of installation. Having solar panels installed in one’s property incurs quite a large cost. Expect the cost of these panels to jump right in to the total price tag of your home. Possible buyers will definitely consider the savings they can get from solar panels. If a future homeowner is looking for a new property to move into, they would most likely prefer one that can promise savings in the long run. In addition, if your local government offers incentives for having solar energy, then buyers would appreciate that too and would be willing to pay more for their initial purchase. Solar panels look beautiful in any home’s exterior. Whether you choose to place solar panels on top of the roof or right in your backyard, we’re pretty sure they would look good. Solar panels exude timeless elegance that will certainly make your property stand out from others. Of course, beautiful homes cost more than others that don’t look as good. Switching to green energy shouldn’t be a difficult choice. Allow TEO Solar to help you out through the process. We can provide you with recommendations on what would function and look best for your property. We offer services across Bunnell, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach, Port Orange, Daytona Beach and more. For a free quote and consultation with our solar energy experts, call us at 386-436-2671. Swimming pools require constant heating at low temperature. Hence, the best method is to rely upon infrared solar radiation. Outdoor swimming pools require a considerable amount of energy to remain warm during winters. They come with hefty bills and even occasional maintenance cost. But with solar pool heating, one can get it installed once and enjoy warmer water for eternity. A solar pool heating system can heat any shape of a pool as long as solar panel collectors are working. Workability of Solar Panel Heating System Installation of solar panel system for heating a swimming pool is not at all complicated. The traditional heating system comprises of a flat solar panel collector, tubing, and a pump with a filter. The water of the swimming pool is passed through the solar panel collector and is generally mounted on the roof of the pool. You can choose between unglazed and glazed collector depending on your choice, budget, and requirement. The accumulation of solar energy heats up the water. In other words, the water absorbs the solar energy and returns to the pool in heated form. The optical filter that comes with the entire kit helps in the removal of the debris and dirt during the pumping process. The best part of using solar panel systems for pool heating is its cost-effectiveness and easy management. You do not have to install a separate storage tank for the pool filtration and heating. The water is passed through the solar collector which is an active system for water heating. Places where the climate is hot or comparatively warmer, the Solar panel is still utilized for circulating water within the system during night time. Why Solar Heating System Is a Better Alternative for Solar Pool Heating With wide varieties of solar pool collectors, each of them comes with different advantages and disadvantages. The overall size of the solar collector depends on the factors like geographical location, the shape of the pool, size of the pool, desired temperature, and duration of heating required. So it’s an obvious thing to go for the right one to accommodate the pool capacity. The pools that are located in cold regions particularly require an unglazed system of water heating. The solar panel alternative can improve the temperature by 10-15 degrees. It has an enormous role-play in extending the comfort level of the swimming pool. The only cost that a person needs to bear is for water recirculation. Apart from that, there is no additional expense. Tips to Improve the Workability of Solar Panel Collector
Solar pool heating is not only a green-friendly method but is also a cost-effective alternative to heating your pool. I hope this post will be helpful for you to understand how you can get the maximum benefit of using solar pool heating for heating your swimming pool. Call the seasoned solar professionals at TEO Solar at 386-437-2671 for a free solar quote for solar pool heating. Hiring a professional to fix or install any solar energy product can be the best thing you can do to help preserve the environment. But hiring a solar energy contractor isn't that easy. You should have a list of questions ready to ask a solar energy contractor to land on a best solar deal. Question 1: Is it durable enough? If you have a broken solar product and need to get it fixed, you might be wondering whether fixing the problem is the best solution. Perhaps you may just need to get a new one that's more durable to last a long time. Your contractor will give you a recommendation on whether it is best to fix or replace. Make sure to ask him about the durability of the product after repair or replacement. Ask if there will be a warranty or guarantee, and how long must you expect the entire system to last. Question 2: Where else can I get the solar panel installed instead of the roof? Most solar panels are installed on the rooftops of houses. But, those who have larger backyards or some who live in rented properties often get them installed on the ground. Ask your contractor about other areas in your property where you can have the solar panels installed. Question 3: How do you estimate the size of the panel? As a responsible homeowner, you should know the method used by the contractor to calculate the size of the panel. This way, you can be sure there won't be any overcharging, and it is simply better when you know everything about the product and service you invest on. Question 4: Do we need a battery system? Some solar products come with a battery system. The excess of solar power produced by the panels is stored in the battery. A battery system is necessary for houses with limited sun exposure. Ask the solar energy contractor about pros and cons of the battery system and if having one would be beneficial to you. Question 5: Are there any financing options available? Going green is not easy. Solar panels installation can be expensive. There are government incentives to support the adoption of solar energy. If you still need some extra financing assistance to get the solar panels, ask your contractor about your options. With a professional solar energy contractor at your side, you can expect to get the best services in the town. TEO Solar is a professional solar installations company serving Volusia County, Flagler County, and nearby communities. Call us today at (386) 437-2671 for best deals and great services. Solar panel systems have drastically changed the way people use electricity to illuminate their houses and heat up appliances. Solar power has certainly made it cheaper to keep homes warm in winters and run ACs in the summer season without worrying about electricity bills. This is one of the main reasons why many American families have made a shift to residential solar panels from the traditional utility. Solar panels are expensive and its installation is a big project for any house type. There are basically three types of domestic solar panel systems - inter-tied; inter-tied with battery backup; and off-grid. Understanding the features of each residential solar panel systems you can decide on buying the right solar panel system for your home. 1. Grid Inter-Tied Solar Panel Systems: The grid inter-tired residential solar panel systems provide the house owner with the choice to either draw power from traditional electricity or solar panels. They are designed to establish a balance between the production and electricity requirement. The system is suitable for big or joint families with greater utility requirement or houses with limited sun exposure the latter, however, is not necessary. The inter-grid panel system allows the house owners to sell the excess of utility produced by the panels through the popular net metering practice. In case of shortfall in the production, the house owners can switch to the traditional source of electricity. 2. Grid Inter-Tied Solar Power System with Battery Back-up: The grid inter-tied residential solar power system with battery back-up is designed to connect with the traditional electricity grids giving the homeowner the right to swap between the two as required. The system, however, comes with a battery back-up. The excess of power produced by the panels is used to power-up the batteries and draw electricity from them in case of shortfalls. The owner can also sell off the excess amount of utility through the net metering practice. In short, the grid inter-tied residential solar power system with battery backup allows the owners to enjoy uninterrupted utility. 3. Off-Grid Solar Panel Systems: The off-grid solar power system is an independent solar power panel system. It is not connected with the traditional utility grid. The system comes with battery back-up to store surplus production and use it at time of shortfall. In case, the production is not adequate and batteries are removed or out of power an electronic generator is required to be connected to the system to draw power during the shortfall. You can decide and choose the right solar panel system for your home considering the home utility requirement and the features of each residential solar panel systems. TEO Solar is a leading solar contractor serving Putnam County, Volusia County, Flagler County and surrounding communities. We have the skills and equipment to install, repair, and remove all types of residential as well as commercial solar panels. Contact us today at (386) 437-2671 for a free consultancy. Solar powered products are definitely saving homeowners a huge amount of money by reducing electricity bills. While majority may be aware of solar products, there might only be a few who actually know how these solar products are powered. What works behind solar products and enable them to carry out each task in an energy-efficient manner? A solar product draws power to operate from solar panels installed outside the house and sometimes on the roof-top. What is a Solar Panel? Solar panels are devices ideally placed in areas such as rooftops or on backyards where there's plenty of sunlight that would shine on the panels directly. It would trap the sunlight, directly or indirectly, and convert it to produce electricity. The panels are also known as photovoltaics, a technology of converting sunlight into electricity. A solar panel is made up of silicon cells with photovoltaic elements. There are three main types of solar panels: 1. Monocrystalline: Made from silicone, monocrystalline is a cylindrical shaped solar panel and was first invented in the 1950s. The performance efficiency rate of monocrystalline is the highest in the industry. The Monocrystalline solar panel or cell’s efficiency is 21% higher than the other solar panels. It works quite well even in low-light condition, however its performance decreases with an increase in temperature. The monocrystalline panel may be expensive to install and requires proper maintenance as its circuit breaks down easily. 2. Polycrystalline: Polycrystalline is also made from silicone. Its manufacturing process includes decanting silicon into a mold to form panels. The Polycrystalline solar panels make a great fit for homes. They are highly efficient and cost-effective. A solar panel made-up of Polycrystalline requires large space for installation to produce power output similar to that of Monocrystalline. 3. Thin film: The thin film solar panel is created by layers of photovoltaic elements like amorphous silicon or organic photovoltaic cells. A solar panel made-up of thin film can produce power at mass and works well even in low-light conditions. The thin film solar panels require more space for installation and ideal for businesses rather than homes where space is limited. Installing the thing film solar panel isn’t easy. You may have to buy supporting components such as cables and more. Unlike monocrystalline and polycrystalline the thin film solar panel doesn’t last long. They can break down due to climate changes. You can choose any type of solar panel that you think would meet the energy requirement of your house and business. Knowing its types, pros and cons can help you land with a great deal. TEO Solar offers professional solar panel installation and removal services in Palm Coast, Ormond Beach, New Smyrna Beach and surrounding areas. To learn more call us today at 386-437-2671. |
BILL GARITY
Bill has been a solar professional for more than 30 years, and has extensive experience in all things solar. During this time, he has seen solar grow, evolve, and improve. His passion is solar. Archives
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