Home Improvement That Invests in Your Future

When pouring money into your home, it can often feel like a money pit. You do it to keep it from looking “tired” and squint your eyes the next time you look at your bank statement.

Sometimes, home improvements can offer a significant return on the investment financially and emotionally. Choosing to install solar panels is one of these moments. While the upfront cost is steep, there are many reasons why this brings good into your world.

Let’s explore why you want to invest in solar panels when improving your home.

You Instantly Become a Responsible Adult.

We all know that buying a house is a grown-up thing to do. Solar panels are another addition to your adulting prowess. Why? Well, because you are helping to counter the problems caused by fossil fuels. You are part of the solution. And while it might seem like a small gesture in a world where governments are spewing out pollution, the only power we have is the slight difference we can make.

Another way to think of it is to use the 800,000 homes in Northern Ireland. If every one of these households chose to invest in renewables, the difference would be enormous.

You Have Some Control Over Your Costs.

Recently, energy prices have been volatile, and bills have rocketed to unaffordable levels. The problem was so acute that governments stepped in to help people pay for their energy through the winter. Geo-political uncertainty continues so there will likely be ongoing challenges with the cost of living.

If you create your energy from the sun’s rays, you have a greater certainty over your monthly outgoings. This sort of peace of mind is invaluable and worth the investment.

You Are Investing in The Value of Your Home.

There are differences of opinion as to whether installing solar panels adds to the value of your home. Some estate agents argue it diminishes the visual appeal of the house. Solar panels have been designed to be more discrete in recent years, and people are more used to seeing them on roofs than before. However, especially with traditional houses or those with historical appeal, solar panels may not add to the value and could even detract.

Yet, realistically, most home buyers will have energy efficiency and the cost of running the house at the forefront of their minds. Consequently, other estate agents claim panels can add between 4 – 14% to the house’s value.

You Will Get Your Money Back.

The other reason to invest is because this is money recovered. Indeed, the initial installation will likely cost about £3500 – £5000 for a three-bedroom house, which is a weighty sum of money. However, estimates suggest you will have saved this amount through your energy bills in approximately ten years.

According to most manufacturers ‘ standards, a solar panel installation is guaranteed to last 20 years. Therefore, halfway through the lifetime of your purchase, it will cost you nothing and will start to make you money.

And Make Even More Money.

Uniquely for home improvement, you can be paid for the change you have made. While you might think that we are continually shrouded in cloud, most households will only use 20% of the electricity they generate. The PV panels still generate energy when it is cloudy, though they obviously make more in direct sunlight.

Some surplus energy can be stored in batteries for use when there is no sun, and the rest can be sold back to the energy company for use by others on the national grid. Suppliers will also allow you to sell the electricity and receive money into your account.

It Might Not Improve Aesthetics, and…

While most people are unconvinced by the visual appeal of solar panels on homes, the benefits of installation are powerful. As people become more used to seeing them on roofs, the less likely it is to temper your house’s curb appeal. Therefore, you can undertake this home improvement that could do much to improve your confidence in your bank balance.

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