By Theresa Ficazzola
June is National Homeownership Month, so why not celebrate the place you call home and make some home improvements!
According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), “Homeownership is not only a key component of the ‘American dream,’ it provides stability, financial security, and is the primary way to build generational wealth.”
Did you know that HUD offers valuable information to help both future and current homeowners? That’s right, homeowners can reach out to HUD certified housing counselors for unbiased education and resources through its network of nearly 1,500 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies.
Go Ahead, Improve Your Home
Whether you’ve been in your home for a short or long period of time, there are things you can do to enhance the value of your most prized possession, such as:
- Adding energy efficient lighting fixtures and bulbs
- Improving your home’s air quality by cleaning vents, changing filters and adding indoor plants
- Painting the exterior and/or interior to give it a fresh look
- Planting a tree, sprucing up your landscaping and ensuring your lawn is mowed frequently
- Replacing your garage doors
- Shampooing your carpets once a year or replacing them with hardwood or vinyl flooring
- If you don’t have the money to spend on a completely new kitchen or bathroom, you can make a few smaller, less expensive changes like new energy efficient appliances, vanity, faucets, mirrors or lighting
- Remodeling your basement
- Going solar!
Solar Energy is Here to Stay
The best time to inquire about solar energy for your home is now. Waiting just means that you are losing out on the energy efficiency of your home, the cost savings on your monthly electric bill, and the government incentives that make going solar an affordable option for most people.
The actual solar installation process only takes a few short days; however, the entire process can take several months because of the required paperwork that is needed. So, don’t delay.
The cost of a solar energy system, and also how much money you can save on your monthly electric bills, varies and is based on a variety of factors.
While many different factors impact your direct savings from solar, a typical homeowner may be able to save between 60-100% of his or her current electric bill. However, since everyone’s personal situation is so different, results may vary.
By installing your own solar system, you can save money on your costly electric bills and lock in your utility rate for an extended period of time, which is an important factor to consider as utility rates continue to rise. Plus, you can take advantage of government tax incentives and rebates, which can save you even more money.
And did you know that solar panels will actually increase your home’s value because they lower the amount of money you pay for your monthly electric bills. Plus, your real estate taxes likely will not increase because most states provide for property tax exemptions for solar system installations.
If you choose to sell your home, you have a great incentive for the future buyers. You can simply transfer the rights to your system to the new homeowner, just as you would any other accessory that comes with your house, such as a swimming pool. Plus, you can tell them what their future electric bill will be and it’s probably a lot cheaper than any other house they were looking to purchase.
Shop Local, Choose SI Solar
SI Solar is a small, local solar company that knows the New York / New Jersey area, its people, their needs and the communities in which they live.
We ensure that all of our customers have the information they need to make intelligent, informed decisions about how solar energy can save them money and improve the quality of their lives.
At SI Solar, we handle everything for you, including:
- Helping you choose the most appropriate financing option
- Designing the system
- Handling all the necessary paperwork with your utility, the city, state and federal government
- Obtaining all required permits
- Arranging all city/town inspections
Check us out.
Frank Ficazzola, President of SI Solar, is a NABCEP* (North American Board of Certified Energy Practioners) certified and an experienced solar consultant.
We have outstanding Google reviews. See our reviews HERE
And we’re nice people!
