Especially in the South, central air conditioning is a modern amenity without which most of us can’t imagine life. According to the Energy Information Administration, about 67% of Southern homes use their central air systems throughout the year, and it comes as little surprise that they also require more frequent central air repair.
The Future Of HVAC
AC conditioner services perform everything from routine maintenance (like the changing of the air filter every two months) to complete repairs and replacements. However, many central air repair companies are beginning to fear for the futures of their businesses. Nothing is threatening the central air conditioner repair industry more than the rise of solar panel technology. Currently, water heating accounts for a full quarter of a single family home’s energy use, and home AC repair specialists who tend to also specialize in HVAC have enjoyed the chance to work on homes throughout the community. However, with the cost of solar panel installation dropping about 40% over the last year and the average lifespan of this new technology clocking in between 30 and 40 years, there is plenty to fear.
Let’s look at the ways solar panels are sweeping in to change the face of the HVAC industry.
Rebates
Organizations like SRP are offering rebates to reduce the cost of solar electric and water heating system installations. SRP solar rebates are widely popular and are especially embraced by those building new homes.
Cost Effective
Besides SRP rebates, there are other cost savings to consider. Though installation still has a price, solar energy systems utilize sunlight, a free resource, to generate usable energy in homes. It’s hard to argue with free energy.
Eco-Friendly
Solar energy can be used to heat and cool a home without having an impact on the global climate. Power plants, on the other hand, produce carbon dioxide emissions as a byproduct of their electrical production, and that can pose serious threats to the environment. Besides that, solar power is infinitely renewable. Wherever the sun shines, electricity can be generated.
Increased Home Value
Because solar energy systems lower the cost of heating and cooling, they also increase the values of the homes where they are installed. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has conducted surveys showing that home values rise by about $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills.
It’s little surprise that many central air repair companies are getting into the solar panel business. For the time being, you probably won’t be able to avoid the occasional call to your friendly local HVAC expert. Brace yourself, though, because that HVAC expert might be turning toward solar technology, the future of American energy, and your home probably won’t be far behind.
