Solar-powered homes are becoming more commonplace, and are an excellent step in the right ecological direction. That said, there are some aspects to consider if you’re thinking about investing in solar energy. Read on for some salient points about living by the sun.
The Sun And The Economy
As solar power has grown in popularity, the government has introduced incentives to help homeowners combat the once-high costs of purchasing and installing solar panels. And companies are springing up to rent you panels and cover the cost of installation. This means that your initial costs are smaller, but also that those third party companies reap the government incentives and may not always maintain strong relationships between you and your utility company.
The Sun And Your Roof
Roofs are the primary locations for solar panels, particularly on homes. Ensure that your roof has enough strength for the added weight of the equipment, and enough space for the proper placement (away from the edges, for example). The equipment comes with a lifetime guarantee so if the roof it’s on is already old, consider updating it before installation (which is an extra but necessary cost).
The Sun And Your Surroundings
A solar-powered home is all about location, location, location. Watch for tall and shady trees, or for high buildings that will shadow your panels and decrease or prevent their output. Look forward, too are there any plans for development in your neighborhood that would introduce such impediments in the future?
The Sun And Cloudy Days
The most obvious hiccup with solar power is that bane of a sunny existence: cloudy days. Location has influence here too: the climate of your area will determine how many panels you’ll need, where you’ll need to place them and how much energy you’ll be able to glean in each season. There are batteries you can purchase for collecting and storing solar energy but they’re still an expensive option. And solar power is still somewhat unattractive in the global economy because of how variable it is. Fossil fuels are more dependable, and therefore more marketable, than an energy source so tied to the weather although that looks to change if solar energy continues its rise in popularity with the masses.
All things considered, there is a deep and growing draw to solar-powered homes, but don’t enter into anything without looking at all sides of the equation. If you have questions, or want to know more about how solar energy works in your neighborhood, give me a call – J.P. Cook – 602-320-4253.
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12003 W Parkway Lane
Avondale, AZ 85323
$572,995
4
Beds
3
Baths
2,480
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6761530
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
The heart of this ranch-style home is an open floor plan with a family room, a breakfast nook and a large gourmet kitchen. The adjacent primary suite offers a walk-in closet and an attached bath. You'll also find two additional bedrooms and a bath, as well as a quiet study and complete with a living area, bedroom, and private bath. Includes covered patio and a 3-car-garage!
16348 W Avenida Del Sol --
Surprise, AZ 85387
$572,995
4
Beds
3
Baths
2,480
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6727605
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
This home features a lovely Guest Suite as well as dramatic 10' ceilings throughout and a tray ceiling at entry; a gourmet kitchen with quartz countertops, 42'' cabinets, a spacious open great room with a multi-slide door; a beautiful primary suite with a generous walk-in closet. The walk-in shower features a rain shower head. This home offers stylish pavers at driveway/walkway.
16355 W Avenida Del Sol --
Surprise, AZ 85387
$572,995
4
Beds
3
Baths
2,480
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6718951
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
This home features a lovely Guest Suite as well as dramatic 10' ceilings throughout and a tray ceiling at entry; a gourmet kitchen with quartz countertops, 42'' cabinets, a spacious open great room with a multi-slide door; a beautiful primary suite with a generous walk-in closet. The master bath features a drop-in tub and a shower. This home offers stylish pavers at driveway/walkway.
16400 W Avenida Del Sol --
Surprise, AZ 85387
$572,995
4
Beds
3
Baths
2,570
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6686225
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
4 bed 3 bath Elev B 2570 SQ FT 2 Car Garage. Has Gourmet Kitchen, Deluxe Master bath with walk in shower. Garage service door, 10ft ceilings at entry. Gas cooktop/range, Gas stub at Patio, 42'' White upper cabinets with 2-1/2'' molding. Wood looing tile through out and carpet in bedrooms.
3070 E Bellerive Drive
Gilbert, AZ 85298
$572,990
3
Beds
2
Baths
1,760
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6774476
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
This charming single-story home offers a thoughtfully designed open floor plan with 9-ft. ceilings, a large great room, and beautiful vinyl plank flooring throughout the common areas. The modern kitchen is a standout, featuring sleek quartz countertops, a center island prewired for pendant lighting, a walk-in pantry, and extended 42-in. upper cabinets. The spacious primary suite, located at the back of the home for added privacy, includes an en-suite bath with a walk-in shower, dual-sink vanity with WaterSense® labeled faucets, and a linen closet with ample storage space. Additional highlights include a soft water loop, ceiling fans in the great room, bedrooms, and covered patio, a convenient side-access door to the garage, and a Wi-Fi-enabled ecobee smart thermostat.
4320 Sawbuck Way
Wickenburg, AZ 85390
$572,671
2
Beds
2
Baths
1,648
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6770325
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Welcome to the Dream Floor Plan, thoughtfully personalized in the Shea design studio. This 1,648 sq ft residence offers 2 beds & 2 baths, featuring GE built-in stainless steel appliances, including a gas cooktop, & brushed nickel accents throughout. The primary bath boasts a heavy glass shower enclosure & upgraded granite countertops in both the kitchen & baths. Enjoy custom mosaic tile details, 42'' kitchen cabinets with pullouts, soft-close cabinets & drawers, under-cabinet lighting, & a 15ft sliding glass wall in the living room. Additional highlights include prewired fans in the den & patio, upgraded electrical, smart home features, an extended covered patio, & a 250-gallon underground propane tank. Visit the Shea sales office for current incentives.
1724 S Rockwell Street
Gilbert, AZ 85295
$572,400
4
Beds
2
Baths
2,085
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6781274
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
**$5K flooring credit for the new owner from the seller!** Welcome to Lyons Gate! Enjoy the charm of a spacious setting without the upkeep, as you step outside to an HOA-maintained field ideal for kickball, tag, or cozy evenings by the renovated patio for s'mores. Just a short walk from your front door brings you to one of multiple community pools, a basketball court, and a playground. Inside, you'll find an extra-deep garage with fantastic storage solutions, and in the backyard, an included spa awaits your relaxation. You get all of this PLUS great access to the freeway, Mesa Gateway Airport, schools, AND amazing restaurants! Come experience this home and neighborhood for yourself!
16380 W Avenida Del Sol --
Surprise, AZ 85387
$570,995
3
Beds
2.5
Baths
2,500
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6701706
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
The gorgeous Cassandra floor plan offers 10-foot ceilings with a tray at entry, gourmet kitchen with quartz countertops and 42 inch cabinets, a huge walk-in pantry, a multi-slide door at great room and a slider at Nook, walk-in Shower with rain shower, and pavers at driveway/walkway, the lot is nearly 8000 square feet and it is North/South exposure.
11937 W Parkway Lane
Avondale, AZ 85323
$570,995
3
Beds
2.5
Baths
2,400
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6760074
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Explore this eye-catching Celeste home, ready for quick move-in on a homesite boasting driveway pavers and front yard landscaping. Included features: an inviting covered entry; a gourmet kitchen offering 42'' cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless-steel appliances, a double oven, a walk-in pantry and a center island; an open dining area; a large great room boasting center-meet doors leading onto a tranquil covered patio; an elegant primary suite showcasing an expansive walk-in closet and a private bath with cultured marble countertops; a convenient laundry; a mudroom and a 3-car tandem garage. This home also offers additional windows and ceiling fan prewiring in select rooms as well as airy 10' ceilings throughout.
19026 W Stella Avenue
Waddell, AZ 85355
$570,990
4
Beds
2.5
Baths
2,399
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6745705
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
The beautiful Irwin floorplan has a 3 car tandem garage, 4 bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. 9' ceilings, wood plank style tile floorings throughout the home, 8' interior doors, gourmet kitchen package, kitchen tile backsplash and huge island makes this home the perfect spot to entertain! This home is built zero energy ready with spray foam insulation, 2 x 6 construction and 85% offset solar system included giving you a HERS rating in the single digits! This home gives you almost no energy bill and is ready now!
23055 E Watford Drive
Queen Creek, AZ 85142
$570,990
4
Beds
3.5
Baths
2,688
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6770743
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
To Be Built of our very popular Pebble single story plan. This plan boasts a 3 car garage, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths and an office. Build time is approximately 7 months. We offer a full design center experience where you can colorize the home to your liking. Options and upgrades may increase the price of the home. Please ask about our special financing promotions.
