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Turning Your Home Into A Solar Powered Paradise

Sustainable living is growing in popularity, and with that comes more people considering green homes. The stand-out choice for powering green homes is solar energy. Solar power is the cleanest of renewable energy resources and is becoming more widely available. Whether you’re just starting to consider a solar home, or already know you want one, there’s always more to learn. So here are a few tips for turning your home into a solar-powered paradise.

Find Out If There’s A Community Solar Near You

Community solar is a solar energy installation, in which users can pay to receive output credits and tax benefits. Simply put, it’s a group of people who have gathered together to put solar panels on a piece of property.

  • Once the solar panels are in place they collect sunlight, which is then turned into energy and supplied to local utility companies. The utility companies then distribute electricity to the customers. This process has made it possible to get solar power without needing to buy solar panels, have a roof, or even own your own home.
  • There are no setups, or installation fees and the power continues to flow to you the same way it always did. The ease of the process makes this a great option for almost everyone, so check and see if you have community solar near you that you can sign up for. Simply visit https://choosesolar.com.
  • If you don’t have access to community solar, you can check into traditional solar, where panels are placed on your roof.
Photo by Vivint Solar from Pexels

Choose Your Materials and Decor

Once you’ve decided how you’re going to get your solar power, it’s time to move on to choosing your materials.

  • If you’re building a home, seek out the advice of professionals who have experience building eco-friendly houses. They’ll be able to work with you to pick out the least environmentally harmful materials, while still giving you the stylish look you want.
  • If you’re not building your home, you can still choose what materials you put inside it. When picking out furniture and decor, consider choosing pre-loved or recycled pieces. The little details are what really make your new house feel like a home, so make sure to pick out pieces you think you’ll enjoy for a long time. You’ll feel good about them, and they won’t end up in a landfill next year.
  • Check out your local thrift stores and flea markets for unique items to use as decor.
  • Choose long-lasting fabrics like linen and organic cotton for your throw pillows, bedding, and other decorative cloth pieces.
  • If you have outdoor space, consider trees and plants that grow in the area naturally. These won’t need to be watered as often. Trees planted on the side of the home that faces the sun will provide shade, and help you save on staying cool in summer.
Photo by Kelly Lacy from Pexels

Additional Energy-Saving Options

Going solar is the first step to energy efficiency, but don’t stop there. There are many other aspects to making sure you’re using energy as efficiently as possible.

  • Make sure your windows are energy-efficient. Roughly 30% of a home’s heat and air escapes through windows, which causes you to use your heating and cooling unit more. Consider updating to new windows, or improving existing ones. Existing windows can be improved with thermal curtains, which help prevent air from coming in or getting out.
  • Use energy-efficient light bulbs.
  • Use energy-efficient appliances.

These are just some of the many options and ideas for creating solar-powered homes. Think about what you want from your space, and begin from there. Move forward with a clear vision and create your own solar paradise.

Gail P
I am a beachy type of person, living in Newport Beach, and oftentimes I’ll go for a swim with my daughter. When I’m bored, I’ll help make package boxes for my little girl’s sticker company on Etsy.