Just realized solar panels aren't always the best first step for homeowners

I used to think everyone should just slap solar on their roof and call it a day. But after talking to a guy from EnergySage and looking at my own rental properties, I saw that basic insulation and air sealing in an older 1960s house in Portland gave way more savings for way less money. Like, I spent $1,200 on attic insulation and it cut the heating bill by 30 percent, while a solar install starts at like $15,000. Has anyone else compared the ROI on simple retrofits versus going straight to solar?

2 comments

2 Comments

mark_nguyen9522d ago

attic fluff" lol. Yeah but that fluff saved me cash right now, not in 25 years.

troy_gibson4322d agoMost Upvoted

Insulation is great and I'm not knocking it, but you're comparing apples and oranges a bit. Solar panels generate clean power for 25+ years with almost no maintenance, while insulation just keeps heat from escaping. In Portland where you get a lot of overcast days, the payback on solar might be slower but the long term savings actually win out if you plan to stay put. Plus a $15k solar system can bump your property value more than $1,200 in attic fluff.