Here Comes The Sun – A Quick Guide to Solar Energy

With the tax credit being extended until 2019, solar paneling is coming back into the spotlight, and for good reason. The Solar Energy Industries Association sees solar capacity tripling by 2020, with enough power for 20 million homes, representing 3.5% of electricity generated in the United States.

Demand for solar power isn’t as strong here as it is in the southwest corner of the country. But some states, like California for instance, are really getting behind it, demanding that all new residential buildings must be zero net energy by the year 2020. This means they will need renewable energy systems to generate as much power as they consume.

So why solar? Firstly, the sun is expected to be around for the next five billion years or so, and since it’s a renewable resource, the power is constantly replenished and there is very little likelihood that it will run out. Additionally, the amount of energy the sun gives us is over 20,000 times more than the amount of energy used by mankind, so unlike the energy we’re pulling out the ground, it’s likely that we can rely on it for a long time coming. 

Some homes are better candidates for solar paneling than others. Firstly, the best position for panels is a roof that faces in a southerly direction. The roof should also be at a 35 to 50-degree angle, which encompasses most roofs and allows for the best possible energy production for all seasons. You want to make sure the panels have clear access to the sun, so any large trees, chimneys or buildings that obstruct the panels’ ability to absorb sun rays might want to be cleared if possible. Finally, your roof will need to be in good condition and probably less than 10 years old. The last thing you want to do is install solar panels on a roof that will need to be replaced in a few years time.

Does your home check all the boxes? If so, your next step should be Energize CT where you can find the latest information on rebates, incentives and financing options for renewable energy. Before you decide on which solar panels to use, you should have your home inspected to ensure it’s ready for the upgrade. If you don’t have proper insulation in your home already, now is the time to get it. Without proper insulation, all that energy you’re generating will go right up through the roof, literally.  An energy inspector will also assess your windows and doors for leakage, and will likely make recommendations on how to improve the efficiency of your home appliances.

After your home is inspected and any necessary improvements are made, you can look for a certified contractor to install your panels. The contractor will assist you with the incentive application and help you decide which system is right for you. Remember, it’s always a good idea to shop around and get multiple quotes before deciding on both a system and a contractor. 

There’s a roof fungus among us

Has a pattern of strange, streaky stains appeared on your roof this spring? As I drive around town, I see many houses decorated with a display of unsightly roof residue, which frequently pops up during this wetter time of the year. But what is it, why has it emerged and what can you do to get rid of it? They are all good questions, so let’s get you some answers.

Stains on the roof are generally algae or mold, which tend to crop up as humidity rises and warmer temperatures start to emerge. Now don’t be too alarmed, small black stains and mold aren’t necessarily going to ruin your roof, but they do affect the curb appeal of your home and the problem could end up being damaging if not dealt with for a long period of time.  

An interesting fact is that copper is toxic to algae, and many newer roof shingles contain copper granules, which act as a barrier against any mold growth. Homes with older roofs won’t benefit from this technology, but it explains why you won’t see algae where metal flashing has been installed. If you’re susceptible to algae and in the market for a new roof, be sure to inquire about this type of shingle.

So now that we know what it is, how do we get rid of it? The easiest way to rid your roof of mold is a good old-fashioned bleach and water mixture, which can be applied using a pump sprayer and rinsed with the garden hose. One tip is to give any plants below the roof a good drink of water beforehand so they don’t absorb the bleach mixture. Diluted bleach is a powerful compound that will clean the roof without any adverse effects, so long as you give it a good rinse afterward. There are other products on the market that will do the job, just pop into your local hardware store to find out what’s best for you based on your home’s symptoms.

Once the roof has been cleaned, you might want to do something to prevent the mold from coming back again. As I mentioned, copper, and zinc-coated sheet metal for that matter, are toxic to algae, so installing a strip of flashing will help stop that nasty fungus in its tracks. Choose a strip that’s at least six inches wide, and have it installed at the roof peak to ensure that the metal molecules wash down with the rain and protect the roof from mold build up.  

If you’re not comfortable on a ladder, call a professional to help you complete this task. A clean roof isn’t worth a trip to the hospital, and a local area home improvement specialist will be able to complete the job in less than a day.

Prep your gutters for April showers

Most people delay their gutter maintenance jobs until the autumn, but a good spring clean before the wet weather sets in is a smart move that can save you potential pain in the pocket down the line.  

April is the wettest month of the year and if your gutters aren’t ready to withstand the showers, now is the time to do something about it. Over the late fall and winter, tree leaves, branches and other debris falls onto our roof and down into our gutters, collecting over time. In the winter, this can lead to ice dams and other hazards, but in the spring, it prevents gutters from working properly. A gutters main job is to create a pathway for water to move away from your home and through a downspout to deposit in a safe place away from your foundation. This system is vital to a home; it makes sure water can flow freely and not cause leaks in your roof, attic and walls. But if your gutters are blocked up, the water has nowhere to go and has no choice but to flow over, creeping up into your roof shingles and down through your siding. This kind of damage is costly to repair and entirely preventable, so get your gloves on and let’s get to it. 

To give your gutters a good clean you’ll need a ladder, a lawn bag or bucket, a small hand rake and a hose. Don’t be tempted to spray debris down the downspout with water; it’s likely that branches and leaves will get stuck inside, which will then clog it up and leave you with a whole new mess to deal with.  Start at the downspout opening and work your way backwards, collecting gunk away from the downspout and disposing it into your bucket. Work in small sections and don’t let your bag get too heavy – it could throw you off balance and land you in the emergency room. While you’re making your way around the house, check for any gutter damage, such as sections coming loose. You want to make sure you get those fixed while the weather is good. Once you’ve finished the cleaning, you can give each section a good spray with the hose to check and make sure the water is running through and you don’t have any hidden build-up in those downspouts.

If gutter cleaning is a job you’d rather not take on, hire a contractor to complete the maintenance and then speak to them about putting gutter guards on your home. These wire or mesh overlays are installed on top of the gutter and prevent debris from entering the channel in the first place. They offer a great solution to a messy job and will provide you with peace of mind for years to come.