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Sunday 29 January 2017

4 MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN GOING SOLAR

There are now more than 1 million solar systems installed in the United States, according to a recent report by GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association. Q3 2016 was record-shattering by all accounts, and the solar industry is poised to almost double year after year. Despite widespread growth, there are misunderstandings and misconceptions that cost solar shoppers money. Keeping these common mistakes with solar panels for home use in mind can reduce the cost of going solar and your expenses over time.

Mistake #1: Not Making the Wisest Decision to Buy or Lease a Solar System

Solar leases and power purchase agreements (third-party-owned systems) soared in popularity several years ago but are now on the decline. These third-party ownership arrangements allow homeowners to install a solar system on their home without actually purchasing the equipment. Many agreements enabled homeowners to go solar for no money down, but the agreements are often 20 years in length. In many states, the homeowner pays less for the solar electricity than if they were purchasing it from the power grid, but some solar shoppers may be leaving money on the table.

There are a couple of disadvantages to solar leases and power purchase agreements. Homeowners are entitled to the 30 percent federal tax credit when they own the solar system but not for third-party-owned systems. This has a huge financial impact because a tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction in federal income taxes owed. For example, a $10,000 solar system could qualify for a $3,000 tax credit. Solar leases also got a bad name because they can complicate home sales if the new homeowner doesn’t or cannot take over the agreement.

There are now many more financing options available for solar panels for home use than there were several years ago, and this is a big reason that third-party-owned solar systems are dropping in popularity. Many of these options have low fixed rates and require little, if any, money down to go solar. Ultimately, whether it is more financially savvy to lease or to finance a solar system depends on the terms of the contract and the loan agreement. Just make sure that you understand the terms of each agreement before deciding so that there aren’t any surprises down the line.


Mistake #2: Installing a New Solar System on an Old Roof

Solar energy systems are designed to last 25 to 30 years. It can be costly to remove and reinstall the panels if you need to replace your roof during the life of your solar system. If your roof will need to be replaced in the near future, complete the roof work first and then install your solar system. It might, however, be possible to complete some roof repairs around the solar system, depending on the solar panel mounting hardware and the needed repairs.


Mistake #3: Not Shopping Around to Get Competitive Solar Bids

Although the cost of installing a solar system has fallen dramatically, the soft costs still constitute a lot of the total system cost. These costs vary widely by the solar installer, so it’s a good idea to shop around. Like any other home improvement project, there can be a big difference in the cost of installing a solar system with different installers. Understand Solar is a great free service to link you to top-rated solar installers for solar estimates, and the EnergySage Marketplace has been praised by solar shoppers because the platform allows installers to put in bids and for homeowners to make an apples-to-apples comparison of the various options.

Mistake #4: Overlooking Energy-Efficiency Improvements Before Going Solar

Did you know that the U.S. is the worldwide leader in wasting energy? Before getting solar panels for home use, it’s a good idea to consider how much energy your home really requires, especially if you want your solar system to generate most of your power.

This is partially for financial reasons. In most states, consumers are compensated for solar power using net metering. At the end of the one-year period, your electric usage and solar credits are tallied up. If your solar system generated less energy than your home consumed, you pay the difference. If the solar panels produced more energy than you used, surplus solar energy credits are typically reset to zero. This means that most solar homeowners won’t get compensated for excess power, making proper solar system sizing important.

In many cases, it is cheaper to boost home energy efficiency than to buy a larger solar system. Keep in mind that your cooling system and possibly your water heater may account for a lot of your total electricity use.

Top 8 mistakes you make losing weight

Top 8  mistakes you make losing weight

common mistakes losing weightTop 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight
Weight Loss is a process that requires patience and time. Not always we are able to lose weight quickly and easily. The reasons why diets do not work are the worst mistakes when losing weight. We have prepared the top 8 most common mistakes losing weight for you!
Top biggest mistakes losing weight
1. Mistakes during weight loss: Fasting
biggest mistake during weight loss
Top 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight
Perhaps the mindless hunger is the biggest mistake during weight loss. Most people mistakenly believe that only the refusal of food or food maximum limit will help them to lose weight. These people sit on the rigid diet, consuming not more than 500-700 calories a day. What does it lead to? First, slowing metabolism. One of the tasks of successful weight loss is not only to lose weight but also to disperse a low metabolism. When you have a starvation diet (less than 1200 calories), it slows down the metabolism that cannot contribute to weight loss. Also, starvation diet makes the likelihood of relapse very high, because not everyone can stand such starvation.
2. Mistakes during weight loss: The lack of breakfast
The lack of breakfast
Top 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight
Breakfast is one of the main meals, and during the diet, this meal is a must. People who skip breakfast are at risk to get the excellent an appetite for lunch or dinner. In addition, breakfast is needed in the morning to wake up metabolism. Do not worry about the calories eaten at breakfast, till dinner they will be burnt. Always eat breakfast! If you have ever missed this meal, try to make sure that breakfast becomes a habit. Do not limit the number of products for breakfast to a minimum. During this meal, you can treat yourself with a sweet or chocolate. Eat it better in the morning than at night.
3. Mistakes during weight loss: The abuse of low-fat food
abuse of low-fat food
Top 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight
And here is another very common mistake of weight loss plans - rejection of fat. Our TV screens have every day broadcast on the benefits of low-fat products, which without a doubt, will help you to lose weight. People are buying low-fat cheese and yogurt, not knowing that this way they only harm their health.
The fact is that low-fat foods contain high amounts of trans fats, which are not absorbed by the body, but it tends to accumulate them. It leads to disruption of metabolism process and, as a consequence, to excess weight. In addition, eliminating fats from your diet, you begin to lean on carbohydrates and that promotes rapid weight gain.
4. Mistakes during losing weight: Irregular meals
Irregular meals
Top 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight
One of the major mistakes during the diet is irregular ‘power supply’. Some people not only ignore breakfast but also refuse to eat lunch and dinner. Irregular meals are dangerous because in the absence of full reception of food you are likely going to try to drown out your hunger using different snacks, which, at first glance, seem quite harmless. However, if you calculate the eaten calories during snacks, you will be surprised detecting that with the same success you can fully enjoy lunch or dinner. Do not throw out dinner from your diet, it is also slowing metabolism. Better to dine easily and without any frills.
5. Mistakes during weight loss: The abuse of fruits and juices
abuse of fruits and juices
Top 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight
Abandoning harmful and fatty foods, dieters are trying to diversify the diet with plenty of fruits and juices. How to become fit whether there is a large amount of fruit and juice in the framework of the diet? Most fruits contain large amounts of fructose, which your body turns into sugar and sets aside in the form of fat reserves. Especially dangerous ones (in this respect) are fruits with high glycemic index, such as bananas and grapes. You should eat a lot of peaches and pears too. Is there any fruit that can be eaten in any amount? No, this is nothing more than a myth. The same applies to fruit juices that contain a lot of sugar. Fruit juices cannot satisfy your hunger, but your body will receive a large amount of sugar and calories.
6. Mistakes during weight loss: Express-diet
Express diet
Top 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight
One of the most common diet mistakes is the abuse of express diets. What is the express diet? This diet is created for the small amount of time to help lose a few kilos in emergency situations. Express diet is usually unbalanced and is often based on eating a standard set of products for everyday use.
Such a diet does not give the body the necessary nutrients, and therefore it should not be used more than once a month. Long ‘sitting’ on a diet will not only lead to health problems, but also to the effect of the plateau. Your body, adapting to ‘a dangerous diet’, begins to accumulate fat in reserve.
7. Mistakes during weight loss: Low physical activity
Low physical activity
Top 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight
Is it possible to lose weight without sports? Of course, this is possible, but with sports, fat burns much faster and the effect of permanently is entrenched. In addition, sports help accelerate metabolism, strengthen the muscles and keep the tone of your skin.
8. Mistakes during weight loss: Water balance
Water balance
Top 8 most common mistakes you make losing weight
It is known that metabolism occurs in an aqueous environment and, therefore, if you want to lose weight drinking water. Adhering to a diet, you must be sure to drink enough water. A lot of people believe that by limiting the amount of water they quickly get the desired number on the scale. Alas, it is just self-deception, because your body will get rid of the water, not fat. Do not limit drinking and drink about two liters of water a day.
We hope that our readers will not repeat the most common mistakes when losing weight! Lose Weight correctly!

Source: www.naij.com/