Customers are always inquiring about the cost of solar panels. Here, we’ll break down the answer to that question.

First of all, the panels themselves can cost anywhere between $3,000 and $10,000 depending on your demands and the size of the array. This is easily the most quantifiable part of the equation. This is often somewhere around half of the full cost of a solar installation.

The panels don’t do much good without the power inverter that allows you to connect to the power grid and they can cost anywhere between $1,000 and $3,000.

There are also a variety of related connecting pieces to make the whole thing work properly.

Then we move on to the “soft” goods that are part of the installation. Namely, the installation itself. The cost of installation often hovers somewhere around 25 percent of solar panels cost. Installation isn’t just the act of putting panels on your roof. Preparing the roof to accept the mounting system can take time.

And once the array is installed, you have to pay for permits and inspections for the array to be part of your home. These can run you a few thousand dollars. All in all, solar installation can cost anywhere between $10,000 and $40,000.

And the cost doesn’t stop there. Regular maintenance is recommended to keep your array running at optimal performance.

But you can compare these costs to the greater cost of using traditional power from the municipal grid, which continues to rise every year. Solar power grows cheaper all the time and is an incredible way to reduce your long-term expenses.

If you look at these numbers and wonder how you can make any of this a reality, give us a call so we can discuss financing options. Some customers are eligible for quite generous agreements that let them get started with a solar array almost immediately. That could be you, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Homeowners in Allen and other parts of North Texas know what time of year this is—and they keep the phone number for their top Allen electrician handy. Why? Springtime in North Texas is well-known for its potentially severe weather. Severe storms, along with extreme temperatures and lightning are just a few of the conditions responsible for rolling blackouts, power surges and power outages. Our weakened power grid and a growing population does nothing to alleviate the situation, which is why many turn to their top Allen electrician for tips on how to deal with the storm season.

Storm Season Tips

With the weather in North Texas being so unpredictable, how can you be sure that you are prepared to tackle what Mother Nature dishes out? Follow these simple tips to protect your home, your electrical system and your family from dangerous and frightening conditions.

#1 Have your electrical system checked regularly. With this storm season upon us, it is extremely important that you get in touch with your Allen electrician and have him look over your circuit breakers, wiring and outlets as part of his regular maintenance. Flaws in your electrical system, be it with breakers, wiring or any other aspect, combined with unpredictable weather, is the recipe for a very, very bad situation.

#2 Use power surge protectors on all your appliances. Did you know that, even a lightning strike that hits miles from your home can affect your appliances? Power surge protectors show up often in storm season tips everywhere, and there’s a reason why. Power surges can be deadly for your appliances and anything else hooked up directly into the outlet, particularly during lightning storms.

#3 Install a built-in surge protector on your circuit panel. This will protect everything hooked to the circuit panel from potentially damaging surges. Even when the power is restored after an outage, it often still does not come on right away; instead, it flickers, which shoots and cuts off electricity randomly to your appliances, ultimately causing damage.

#4 Always keep a weather radio handy. Weather alert radios are an invaluable addition to your home’s severe weather kit. In case of an emergency, an outage, lightning strike or blackout, you will have access to weather updates, evacuation information (if necessary), and instructions on how to keep your family and home safe in the event of bad weather.

#5 Invest in an indoor generator. Indoor generators are a great way to take a little pressure off of the overloaded power grid during a power surge or blackout. When there’s a blackout, the indoor generator kicks in, keeping a steady flow of electricity going to your home and keeping your appliances from getting damaged. Some generators are solar-powered, which can save you energy, time and money.

ElectricMan: Helping You Prepare

Severe stormy weather doesn’t have to be scary, inconvenient, dangerous or costly. Following these simple storm season tips can ensure that you and your family are spared the expenses and headaches that come with unpredictable weather in North Texas. For 27 years, ElectricMan has dealt with all sorts of electrical issues resulting from severe weather. Call us today at 972-301-2630 to learn more about how we can help you prepare for a stormy season. For more helpful tips on keeping your home’s electrical system running well, keep checking in with us at blog.electricmaninc.com or check out our website at www.electricmaninc.com today!

As energy costs continue to rise, we all have to make some adjustments and figure out how to afford the higher electrical bill or how to reduce our electricity use in order to afford a roof over our heads. Obviously, the latter is probably the best and who knows, you just may be able to reduce your bill lower than you ever thought possible. You could actually put a few extra dollars in your pocket every month to put towards the rising cost of food. An electrician in Pasadena has a few tips you can start using today to save money tomorrow. If you would like to learn more, call The Electric Connection and talk with a member of the helpful staff.

1-The easiest thing for you to do is to turn off and unplug anything and everything when it is not in use. You can save a couple dollars every day by reducing your phantom energy draw.

2-Switch to CFLs and save about $20 a month on lighting costs. If you have a big house and typically use a lot of lights, you can save more by switching your incandescent light bulbs to CFLs.

3-Have somebody familiar with Pasadena electrical code install a ceiling fan to reduce your heating and cooling bill. Fans circulate the air in a room to help keep it cool in the summer and warm in the cooler months.

4-Hire an electrician to install dimmer switches on lights in the living room, dining room and even a bedroom. You don’t always need a well-lit room to watch television, enjoy an intimate meal or simply chat. Using a dimmer switch to turn down the lights can save you money on your electric bill.

If you would like to schedule an appointment to have a dimmer switch, ceiling fan or other energy-saving appliance installed, give The Electric Connection a call today.