Going green is becoming more and more popular all around the world.

People are starting to recycle more and looking into using cleaner energy. However, many people think going ‘eco-friendly’ is daunting or have the wrong idea about it. Here are some simple ways to make your Texas home more eco-friendly.

Replace your light bulbs with LEDs

Light-emitting diodes, or LEDs, consume only a fraction of a regular bulb’s electricity. They also last much longer and don’t produce heat. Replacing the lightbulbs around your house will make it more eco-friendly and save you money on the electricity bill.

You don’t have to immediately replace all your lightbulbs with LEDs right away, however. Start with the rooms around your house where your lights turn on the most. The living room and the kitchen are a great start. You can later move on to the bathroom, the hallway, and the outside porch light. 

Recycling in your home

That is as simple as getting a trash separation trashcan and placing it in your home. It is an easy and fun way for your family to learn about recycling. You can create a ‘recycling hub’ in your kitchen. That is the area around the house where most waste is produced. If you don’t want to invest in a specialized separation trashcan, you can purchase two or three smaller ones and label them. You can separate recyclable materials, such as glass or paper, from biodegradable materials. 

In addition, you can create your compost station. Composting involves separating biodegradable waste, such as food leftovers, eggshells, peels, etc., into a separate bin. Compost makes soil much richer. Therefore, if you have a garden, you can make it much healthier and free! Most of the compost material you would throw away anyway. This way, you can turn it into something useful and eco-friendly.

Making use of the solar energy

There is nothing better than attaching solar panels to your home and letting them do their work and provide power to your house. Another thing that makes solar panels great is that they are detachable. If you are planning to move to Texas and your current home already has solar panels, you can bring them with you and reinstall them!

With so many clear and sunny days, Texas is a perfect location to use solar panels. They will allow you to reliably gather solar energy all year long, saving you a lot of money in the long run. It is one of the best ways to make your Texas home more eco-friendly.

However, when relocating your old panels, the Evolution Moving Company DFW experts advise contacting a moving company beforehand. Solar panels are fragile, so you’ll need to notify the moving company that you are planning to bring them. Professional movers will know how to safely deliver solar panels to your new home.

Using natural cleaning products

Many store-bought cleaning products contain chemicals that are hazardous to the environment. Not to mention that they all come in plastic containers, further increasing pollution. That is where natural products come in as one of the ways to make your Texas home more eco-friendly.

Natural cleaning products are easy to find, affordable, and multi-purposeful. Lemons and vinegar are among the top natural cleaning products and are used even by professionals. They are also excellent stain removers that won’t damage your furniture. 

Get more energy-efficient appliances

Check the electrical devices around your home. If you have some that are over ten years old, chances are they are not as energy efficient. That involves items like your stove, refrigerator, HVAC system, oven, and many other larger appliances. 

These are the primary energy consumers in your home. Replacing them with energy-efficient appliances, such as those that carry the Energy Star label, will help immensely. In reality, you may not even need some electrical appliances when moving to Texas. You don’t need a clothes dryer when you can simply hang your clothes to dry outside in the sun. Your electricity bill will be lower while making your home eco-friendlier. 

Moving to Texas with family gives you a perfect opportunity to sell or get rid of your energy-inefficient appliances and start over confidently. It will also reduce your overall inventory, making your move cheaper. 

Get a more eco-friendly showerhead

About a third of your household water consumption comes from the shower alone. To conserve water, consider installing a low-flow shower head. While regular showerheads use around two-and-a-half gallons of water per minute, low-flow showerheads reduce it to two gallons per minute. Among the ways to make your Texas home more eco-friendly, it can’t get easier than this. As a bonus, your water bill will also be lower!

Check for drafts

Your windows and doors may be drafty. That will cause hot air to escape your home while letting the cold air inside. A drafty house takes a lot more energy to keep warm, drastically increasing your electricity bill. Check for drafts and insulate your doors and windows as soon as possible.

Final thoughts

As you can see, there are so many ways to make your Texas home more eco-friendly. Many of them are quite simple and affordable. Going eco-friendly is not just good for the environment, but it also saves you a lot of money. You may have noticed that most of the things covered here positively affect your bills. Whether through energy or water consumption reduction, going eco-friendly benefits you and your environment.

There are many myths surrounding solar power which are, frankly, untrue.

As most solar companies in Texas will tell you, there are facts to disprove all of them. These myths started when solar power systems were still completely new and managed to persist until today. And the truth is, a lot of people are avoiding solar power because of them. Myths such as solar panels only working in smaller households or not working during winter. So, today we’ve compiled a list of six common myths about solar power, which we will debunk.

1. Solar panels don’t work 24/7, and you’re left without energy at night

One of the most common myths about solar power that solar companies in Texas have to deal with is that, somehow, having solar panels installed will leave households without power at night. When you install solar panels, you’re still connected to the power grid, and your home will pull power from the grid when needed. Meaning there is never a situation when you’ll be left without power because of your solar panels. As a matter of fact, if the power grid ever fails, your solar panels will keep supplying power. If you go the extra mile and install batteries into your solar power system, any excess energy will be stored in them. So, solar power systems can protect you from power outages. This is an excellent reason to get residential solar power in your home.

2. Solar panels don’t work in winter

A lot of people tend to believe this myth for one reason or another, while it’s completely untrue. Yes, because there’s a lot more cloud cover, and days are shorted, which makes solar panels less effective overall. However, as long as there is sun, solar panels will work; as solar companies in Texas will tell you, this makes states which see a lot of sun even in winter a perfect fit for solar panels. So yes, overall, your solar panels are less effective during winter and generate less energy. But, they do continue working regardless, and on sunny days will be just as effective as usual. However, if you plan to move house at some point, experts from professionalmoverottawa.com note that solar panels need special protection when moving. So, keep this in mind when planning your move.

3. Solar panels are too expensive and can’t save you money

Some people would have you believe that solar panels are too expensive and will never pay off. However, as solar companies in Texas can confirm, solar panels are an investment. Yes, the up-front price can be pretty high depending on the kind and size of the system you want to be installed. However, solar panels pay off in the long run, and the longer you have them, the better. This is because solar panels reduce your bills and, in some cases, even outright negate your electricity bill. And this is only one of the financial benefits of installing solar panels. Of course, they do come with a degree of maintenance too, and to stay fully effective solar panels need to be regularly maintained. Regardless of that, however, they are very much worth the investment.

4. Solar panels are only for eco-friendly houses

Some people believe that solar panels only belong to houses that want to be eco-friendly. However, the truth is most households get solar panels for financial benefits. The fact that solar power is eco-friendly is a bonus, but it’s typically not the reason why people go solar. And yes, states pushing for eco-friendliness and protecting the environment are also pushing solar panels. But, again, most people get involved simply because of financial reasons. And speaking of eco-friendliness, if you’re interested in going green, you should consider getting involved with eco-friendly storage solutions. If you need storage, you can make it more sustainable as well so that you also help protect the environment in the long run.

5. Solar panels are only good for small households

Now this one is just a lie that many people believe in. Solar panel systems can be just as effective in large households, if not more effective. The only thing that changes is the initial investment since larger houses need larger systems. At the end of the day, if you get enough solar panel coverage, your electricity bills will still get reduced. And because larger households tend to use more power anyway, the effect of the solar panels on the bills can be felt more clearly. Of course, the more solar panels you have, the more you have to worry about keeping them maintained. The maintenance of your solar panels is essential if you want to ensure they stay effective in the long run.

6. Installing solar panels will damage your roof

This is a fear-driven myth caused by people who either tried to install their solar panels by themselves or relied on amateurs. Of course, if someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing tries to install your solar panels, they will likely damage your roof. This is why you should rely only on experts to install your solar panels. Doing it yourself or relying on amateurs is a recipe for disaster, so avoid either of these options, and you’ll be just fine.

Six common myths about solar power – wrap up

As most solar companies in Texas will tell you, most myths about solar power are untrue. They are mostly left over from the time when solar panel systems were still new. Many are caused by people either not understanding how solar panel systems work or simply out of fear. Either way, myths about solar power are generally untrue, and you have no reason to be afraid to have a solar power system installed in your home. In the long run, the benefits will be obvious. We hope this list of six common myths about solar power has helped convince you they’re untrue, and we wish you a good day.

The supply and demand solar panel cost remains the same for South Texas homeowners.

Rebates and local incentives still apply to the solar panel cost for new buyers. However, on March 1, 2022, San Antonio will see a change in its electricity bills with the local utility.

CPS Energy will implement a 3.85% base rate increase and a regulatory asset. This will allow the municipal utility to recover legitimate fuel costs incurred during the epic SNOW-VID days of February 2021. According to Ana Lozano, CPS Energy Strategic Research & Innovation Manager, “For the average residential customer, the rate increase will add $3.84 to the monthly bill, along with $1.26 per month for the fuel adjustment. Combined the total bill impact will be $5.10 for the average residential electric and natural gas customer.”

What does this new base rate increase mean for residential homeowners with solar panel systems? “This rate increase will be applied to all energy consumed, just like non-solar customers. The rate adjustment will not affect any surplus energy generated and sent to the grid,” explains Lozano.

Will new buyers experience a change in solar panel cost? No. The rate increase may convert homeowners to go solar.

“The decrease in solar panel cost, along with federal tax incentives and the CPS Energy solar rebate, have helped make solar more accessible to more customers,” Lozano points out.

“CPS Energy has approximately 29,000 solar PV systems in their service territory and receives between 400-600 new solar applications per month.” Lozano adds, “We [CPS Energy] have seen a steady increase in the demand for solar throughout the pandemic, with a 40% increase in applications in the last 12 months.

There are many reasons why more and more people in Texas decide to install solar panels in their homes. Some do it because they want to go green and thus help save our planet. Others want to take advantage of the weather in Texas and use it to save money on their electrical bills. Your reason, on the other hand, maybe completely different. But, that does not matter, as solar panel installation will definitely be worth the time, money, and efforts you invest in it. 

However, when is the best time for Texas solar panel installation? Well, each season comes with some benefits, but one that always takes the lead is spring. So, if you are not bound by time and do not mind waiting for the following spring to arrive, we strongly recommend waiting. Use this time in between to research different solar installation options and explore some of the best solar companies in Texas, and, of course, find out why spring is the best time of the year for this project. 

Sunlight Will Work in Your Favor 

It goes without saying that spring and summer are the seasons with the longest and the sunniest days in Texas. And, as the weather during these two seasons is scorching, your AC is probably on most of the time. That AC, paired with other things, is what causes that electrical bill to spike. You can save a lot of money with solar panels in Texas if you install them right before the heat starts. If you switch to solar energy before summer, you will be able to enjoy both the cheaper air conditioning and the reduced energy footprint simultaneously. 

Another benefit of installing solar panels in Texas during spring is its faster installation. Once you find good solar panel installers and some reliable solar power companies, they will be able to finish the job in just a couple of days as there will be no obstacles like rain or wind standing in their way. And, of course, more daylight means more working hours available for your team. 

Pleasant Working Conditions For Your Installation Team 

Although installing solar panels in Texas during winter or even autumn is possible, those weather conditions may not be ideal for your installation team. As previously mentioned, their work will probably get interrupted several times because of rain or wind. So, instead of working just a couple of days on your installation, they may end up working there for a couple of weeks. And, trust us, that is something that will be pleasant neither for your team nor for you. They will work in bad conditions, and you will end up living on a construction site for longer and spend a lot more money paying for each day installers spend on your roof. 

There is a time for everything in life. Things like installing solar panels are just like any other kind of remodeling or even removal projects – they require specific conditions. Of course, like remodeling is easier with a professional, and removal is more manageable with Small World Moving Texas, solar panel installation is easier with a good team – but even they cannot work wonders when the weather is not great. 

Higher Temperatures, Higher Demand 

If you are not from Texas but plan to move here soon, we recommend waiting for the following spring to install your solar panels. We are not suggesting that only for the reasons mentioned above, but also because finding good solar power companies and good solar installers during this time of the year (summer) is pretty much impossible. All good, affordable and reliable companies of that kind will have been booked, even since last year. This should come as no surprise to locals – they know how scorchingly hot summers in Texas can be, and thus, how high all the electrical bills that follow can be too. 

Use this time you have to do other renovation projects – remodel your kitchen, for example. Do any kind of ‘inside’ work and stay away from the sun as much as possible. As previously mentioned, if you have just moved to Texas, use this time to prepare your home for your arrival instead of looking for good solar installers. Along with some renovation projects, you will also have to clean your new home. And be sure to clean it thoroughly before moving in! If you can afford it, hire professional cleaners too. Texas is hot and humid – perfect conditions for growing different, harmful ‘entities’ in and around the house. You never know how clean the previous owners have been, so clean everything before you start unpacking and then worry about finding those installers. 

Lower the Burden on the Electrical Grid

Each house relies on traditional power. That power comes from a large electrical grid situated somewhere in your area. Usually, all the grids have enough energy to support all households, but all electrical grids become overwhelmed during summertime in hot regions such as Texas. It happens when homeowners blast their ACs to try to cool off. However, in most cases, this ends up in a blackout. When a blackout occurs, the entire area you live in loses power until repairs are done, which, depending on the damage, can last for days. 

One of the most significant benefits of having your own solar energy is that you will not depend on the electrical grid anymore. Of course, you can still use the power from the grid when necessary, but those will be rare occasions. With good off-grid solar panels, blackouts, high electrical bills, energy footprints, etc., will be reduced to a minimum. Therefore, if you are wondering what the best time of year for Texas solar panel installation is, you are already on the right path toward more sustainable and frugal living. 

Take a look on this article if you need to know a little more:

“What Are the Benefits of a Solar-Powered Home?”

We’ve been in the solar business for over 14 years and we’ve learned that most homeowners want to go solar “to save money now”. So we went out and found Loanpal’s new product, Flexpay, that will help our customers lower their monthly payment to start saving immediately.

With access to Loanpal’s Flexpay, our new customers get the chance to have the lowest payment option so they can pay off their loan even faster. Continue reading to see how Flexpay works.

FLEXPAY HAS THE LOWEST MONTHLY PAYMENT YET

Firstly, Flexpay gives homeowners more options than ever before. Flexpay gives you, the customer, the lowest payment regardless of the situation, no matter what. It gives the customer the most flexibility on their payments but also their loan.

Secondly, Flexpay gives you the ability to pay what you want all the way down to just the interest that is due during the first 18 months. Any addition that you apply on top of the minimum payment due, just goes towards further decreasing what that fully amortized payment will become at month 19 and beyond. Customer can keep or apply the ITC and other incentives to the loan principal over multiple years.

Thirdly, Flexpay also gives you, the customer, the ability to reamortize every singly year, for the life of the loan. What that means is that if at month 18, during your initial reamortization, you don’t like what the payment is at month 19, every 12 month anniversary after that, you’ll have the ability to reamortize again, and again.

Moreover, if it’s a 25 year loan, you can do it every single year, for 25 years. What you would do is pay a minimum of $2,500 annually towards the loan, which will shrink your loan term and your payment. In other words, after the 18th month, borrowers can lower monthly payments when they make a new principal payment of $2500 or more. 

In sum, having access to Loanpal’s Flexpay will allow us, South Texas Solar Systems to offer you with this loan product giving you, the customer, full control for the life of the loan. You get to pick what your payment amount is and what your term length is.  

If you are thinking of going solar, there is no better time than now.

Thanks to Flexpay, our customers will get the opportunity to have the lowest payment amount compared to competitors. If you are interested in learning more, we’re happy to help. Contact us at 210-829-5420 or leave your information to REQUEST A FREE QUOTE and we’ll contact you as soon as possible.

Ask about our available rates: 25 year 1.98 flex loan