Can a Home in Arlington MA Have $0 Utility Bills?
Yes!! How? Simple! Go solar!!
Even in Arlington MA and throughout the northeast, it's possible to rely completely on solar energy to power your home. Not only that, but it's cheaper than ever before. With recent advancements in technology and improved production methods, the cost of solar is coming into parity with the regular cost of electricity. Add in the various state and federal tax rebates and incentives and you could recoup the installation cost within months - then start making money by feeding excess electricity back to the grid!
Here's a very rough and simple example, using my own latest utility bill.
* Latest monthly kWh usage = 295
* Desired result: 100% solar power
* Required system size: 2.84 kW generation
* Average sun radiance (Arlington, MA) = 4.31 kWh/meter squared per day - this is the average power the sun would generate for my location in about one day.
Based on very rough estimates from the solar power calculator at FindSolar.com, I would need at least 283 sq. ft. of roof surface covered in solar panels at an estimated $22,718 initial installation cost. BUT - after the Massachusetts and Federal tax rebates and other incentives, the final cost to me would be roughly $5,833!
Don't be scared off by that price, however! As a Massachusetts resident, consider this: $5,833 divided by my average monthly utility bill of $75 results in a payback period of roughly 78 months. Keep that number in mind, because here's the good part: Massachusetts residents can take advantage of the MassSAVE HEAT Loan program, which provides for a loan of up to $15,000 at 0% interest with a 7-year (84 month) payback period. Taking out a $5,833 loan at 0% interest and paying it back over 84 months would make your monthly payment just $69.00! Sure - it may only start off as a $6 monthly savings, but as time goes on, your utility rates WILL rise, but your solar power will always be FREE. Your savings will only grow over time.
A final word - don't forget about the increase in your property value! Depending on the improvements you make, your home's value will increase roughly $25-$35 in value for every $1 saved on your utility bills. With the projected lifespan of today's solar equipment to be 20-25 years, you'll more than end up making money with your new solar-powered roof, whether or not you sell your property within that time frame. Lastly, cities and towns are not allowed to tax you for any part of your property occupied by alternative heat-generating equipment, so your local property taxes will not increase...AND, the same portion of land is exempt from MA property taxes for the first 20 years! These are all great selling points when it comes time for you to move on.
For more information on solar power and a listing of some local Eastern Massachusetts solar vendors, visit my Eco Friendly Partners page. To find a green home for sale near you, visit the Avenue 3 Real Estate web site, where you can search for properties for free.
Until next time, Peace!
-TMC