If you have never skied before, the idea can be intimidating. We jumped right in and took the kids to Keystone Resort in Colorado for an unforgettable experience. With these tips, you, too, can plan your first ski trip. Also check out our post, Insider's Guide to North Carolina Ski Resorts. Where to GoGoing to Colorado gave us the chance to enjoy the mountain views of the Rockies and learn to ski on fresh snow. When we arrived at Keystone Resort, our Atlanta kids were ecstatic to be greeted with real snowfall. The first thing we did was check-in and play in the powdery stuff at the playground. We stayed in the River Run condos, closest to the village at Keystone, and it was so worth it. We easily walked to get groceries, snacks, coffee, and go to restaurants and shops. We had space to spread out and cook in the well-appointed kitchen at our condo, and loved the heated pool and hot tub. Let's Go Skiing!Keystone is a perfect place for kids and adults to try skiing for the first time. We started out on skis in a private family lesson. This was a good choice for us because our kids, ages 5 and 3, were more confident with us than by themselves. On the first day, we learned the basics including taking off and maneuvering and, of course, how to get up when you fall. Once we covered the basics, we learned to go downhill. Our kids liked the attention and the snack breaks. The kids program helped them get acclimated to going on their own. When we split up on the second day, my husband and I did a group adult lesson. We built our confidence in the small group instruction. Adult lessons are offered for full or half day. Family ActivitiesKeystone's Kidtopia has engaging family programs every day. Watch fireworks and take part in Riperoo's Village parade (Riperoo is the village mascot). Our son loved the quirky, 45 minute night hike for Bigfoot. Every day at 4 p.m., Kidtopia has free cookies and hosts a daily scavenger hunt. Plus, attend an ice cream birthday party, explore the night sky, participate in a giant snowball launch, and explore a huge snow fort. Tubing is also available at Keystone, a short drive from the main village. Rent a tube for a small fee and slide down the big hill with your kids. It was a nice break from skiing and fun to still be outdoors and enjoy the view. Make a Memory with a Sleigh RideFor a special splurge, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride. We enjoyed the ride under the stars with warm blankets to a historic homestead for dinner. The hot chocolate, biscuits and soup were a delicious opening to a fun, tasty dinner. The guitar singalong and adult beverages during dinner added to the festive atmosphere. More Tips for First-Time Skiers
The DetailsKeystone Resort is about a two-hour drive from the Denver International Airport; plan to take a shuttle or rent a car. The resort has a variety of accommodations from lodge rooms, to condos to home rentals, starting at about $150 a night. Book a two night stay and kids ski free. If you book directly through Keystone, kids get free lift tickets (value: $72/day per kid) and accommodation rates are up to 30% off. We went skiing for 2 days and stayed 3 nights. In retrospect, we would have loved one more day of learning and fun. Ski season typically ends in early April. Looking for more kid-friendly things to do in Colorado? Read our story: Best Things to do in Denver, Colorado with Kids. – Laura Powell The post Ready, Set, Ski: Visit Keystone Colorado for a Memorable Ski Experience appeared first on Atlanta Parent Magazine.
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Many families want to help make Atlanta a greener place. We know heat and light from the sun creates a free, environmentally-responsible form of energy. If you're thinking about installing solar panels at your home, here's what you need to know: How Solar Panels WorkThere is more than one way to capture and use solar energy, but residential homes can use solar panels. The sun shines on them, creating direct current electricity. This DC electricity feeds into a device that converts it in to AC (alternating current) electricity. This AC electricity can power appliances in the home, like air conditioners and lights. Your home would still connect to the traditional power grid to have electricity at night, but you would use far less than without solar energy. Home RequirementsIf you have a home with a roof and you get a significant amount of sun during the day, you can install solar panels. If you're not sure how much sun your house gets, and how many panels your house would need, check the Google Sunroof Project. Roof size isn't really an issue, because systems are so lightweight. CostBetween equipment and installation, most systems cost easily more than $10,000. But there are savings available. Michael Cichetti of Green Building Education Services (GBES) notes that city of Atlanta residents can take advantage of the Solarize Atlanta program, which is a community-based solar purchasing effort. It's crowdsourced clean energy, cutting costs to wholesale prices for a group of buyers. If you live elsewhere in metro Atlanta, other cities are slated for future Solarize programs, or you can start a petition for your town. The U.S. Department of Energy also has a pdf guide to financing systems that covers plenty of options. SavingsHomeowners can get a 30% federal tax credit to cut down the costs of solar. That's like a straight discount off the cost of a new installation. The program is set to run until 2021, but the rebate amount will be reduced starting in 2019. You may be eligible for other rebate programs in Georgia, and the DSIRE database is a good resource to check. ValueInstalling a solar system isn't cheap, but the savings on monthly utility bills show quickly. One Alpharetta mom said her family installed 21 panels on her home two years ago, and her family has seen a big difference in energy bills, particularly during summer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, most home solar energy systems pay for themselves within 5 years. The higher your electric bills, the more solar energy will save you over time. Solar energy systems are also appealing to home buyers, raising the value on your house when it's time to sell by several thousand dollars, according to a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBL) Neighborhood RulesSome homeowners associations restrict or don't allow solar panels. Be sure to check your neighborhood's rules to find out if you can install them. One Atlanta mom shared that it was against her association's rules, but she successfully lobbied to overturn the bylaw. Get Multiple EstimatesSeveral Atlanta-based and southeastern companies can complete residential installations of solar panel systems. All will provide free estimates that include the recommended size of system for your home, how much it will cost, and how it will impact your energy bills. The post Beginner's Guide to Solar Panels for Your Home appeared first on Atlanta Parent Magazine. Many families want to help make Atlanta a greener place. We know heat and light from the sun creates a free, environmentally-responsible form of energy. If you're thinking about installing solar panels at your home, here's what you need to know: How Solar Panels WorkThere is more than one way to capture and use solar energy, but residential homes can use solar panels. The sun shines on them, creating direct current electricity. This DC electricity feeds into a device that converts it in to AC (alternating current) electricity. This AC electricity can power appliances in the home, like air conditioners and lights. Your home would still connect to the traditional power grid to have electricity at night, but you would use far less than without solar energy. Home RequirementsIf you have a home with a roof and you get a significant amount of sun during the day, you can install solar panels. If you're not sure how much sun your house gets, and how many panels your house would need, check the Google Sunroof Project. Roof size isn't really an issue, because systems are so lightweight. CostBetween equipment and installation, most systems cost easily more than $10,000. But there are savings available. Michael Cichetti of Green Building Education Services (GBES) notes that city of Atlanta residents can take advantage of the Solarize Atlanta program, which is a community-based solar purchasing effort. It's crowdsourced clean energy, cutting costs to wholesale prices for a group of buyers. If you live elsewhere in metro Atlanta, other cities are slated for future Solarize programs, or you can start a petition for your town. The U.S. Department of Energy also has a pdf guide to financing systems that covers plenty of options. SavingsHomeowners can get a 30% federal tax credit to cut down the costs of solar. That's like a straight discount off the cost of a new installation. The program is set to run until 2021, but the rebate amount will be reduced starting in 2019. You may be eligible for other rebate programs in Georgia, and the DSIRE database is a good resource to check. ValueInstalling a solar system isn't cheap, but the savings on monthly utility bills show quickly. One Alpharetta mom said her family installed 21 panels on her home two years ago, and her family has seen a big difference in energy bills, particularly during summer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, most home solar energy systems pay for themselves within 5 years. The higher your electric bills, the more solar energy will save you over time. Solar energy systems are also appealing to home buyers, raising the value on your house when it's time to sell by several thousand dollars, according to a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBL) Neighborhood RulesSome homeowners associations restrict or don't allow solar panels. Be sure to check your neighborhood's rules to find out if you can install them. One Atlanta mom shared that it was against her association's rules, but she successfully lobbied to overturn the bylaw. Get Multiple EstimatesSeveral Atlanta-based and southeastern companies can complete residential installations of solar panel systems. All will provide free estimates that include the recommended size of system for your home, how much it will cost, and how it will impact your energy bills. The post Beginner's Guide to Solar Panels for Your Home appeared first on Atlanta Parent Magazine. Many families want to help make Atlanta a greener place. We know heat and light from the sun creates a free, environmentally-responsible form of energy. If you're thinking about installing solar panels at your home, here's what you need to know: How Solar Panels WorkThere is more than one way to capture and use solar energy, but residential homes can use solar panels. The sun shines on them, creating direct current electricity. This DC electricity feeds into a device that converts it in to AC (alternating current) electricity. This AC electricity can power appliances in the home, like air conditioners and lights. Your home would still connect to the traditional power grid to have electricity at night, but you would use far less than without solar energy. Home RequirementsIf you have a home with a roof and you get a significant amount of sun during the day, you can install solar panels. If you're not sure how much sun your house gets, and how many panels your house would need, check the Google Sunroof Project. Roof size isn't really an issue, because systems are so lightweight. CostBetween equipment and installation, most systems cost easily more than $10,000. But there are savings available. Michael Cichetti of Green Building Education Services (GBES) notes that city of Atlanta residents can take advantage of the Solarize Atlanta program, which is a community-based solar purchasing effort. It's crowdsourced clean energy, cutting costs to wholesale prices for a group of buyers. If you live elsewhere in metro Atlanta, other cities are slated for future Solarize programs, or you can start a petition for your town. The U.S. Department of Energy also has a pdf guide to financing systems that covers plenty of options. SavingsHomeowners can get a 30% federal tax credit to cut down the costs of solar. That's like a straight discount off the cost of a new installation. The program is set to run until 2021, but the rebate amount will be reduced starting in 2019. You may be eligible for other rebate programs in Georgia, and the DSIRE database is a good resource to check. ValueInstalling a solar system isn't cheap, but the savings on monthly utility bills show quickly. One Alpharetta mom said her family installed 21 panels on her home two years ago, and her family has seen a big difference in energy bills, particularly during summer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, most home solar energy systems pay for themselves within 5 years. The higher your electric bills, the more solar energy will save you over time. Solar energy systems are also appealing to home buyers, raising the value on your house when it's time to sell by several thousand dollars, according to a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBL) Neighborhood RulesSome homeowners associations restrict or don't allow solar panels. Be sure to check your neighborhood's rules to find out if you can install them. One Atlanta mom shared that it was against her association's rules, but she successfully lobbied to overturn the bylaw. Get Multiple EstimatesSeveral Atlanta-based and southeastern companies can complete residential installations of solar panel systems. All will provide free estimates that include the recommended size of system for your home, how much it will cost, and how it will impact your energy bills. The post Beginner's Guide to Solar Panels for Your Home appeared first on Atlanta Parent Magazine. Many families want to help make Atlanta a greener place. We know heat and light from the sun creates a free, environmentally-responsible form of energy. If you're thinking about installing solar panels at your home, here's what you need to know: How Solar Panels WorkThere is more than one way to capture and use solar energy, but residential homes can use solar panels. The sun shines on them, creating direct current electricity. This DC electricity feeds into a device that converts it in to AC (alternating current) electricity. This AC electricity can power appliances in the home, like air conditioners and lights. Your home would still connect to the traditional power grid to have electricity at night, but you would use far less than without solar energy. Home RequirementsIf you have a home with a roof and you get a significant amount of sun during the day, you can install solar panels. If you're not sure how much sun your house gets, and how many panels your house would need, check the Google Sunroof Project. Roof size isn't really an issue, because systems are so lightweight. CostBetween equipment and installation, most systems cost easily more than $10,000. But there are savings available. Michael Cichetti of Green Building Education Services (GBES) notes that city of Atlanta residents can take advantage of the Solarize Atlanta program, which is a community-based solar purchasing effort. It's crowdsourced clean energy, cutting costs to wholesale prices for a group of buyers. If you live elsewhere in metro Atlanta, other cities are slated for future Solarize programs, or you can start a petition for your town. The U.S. Department of Energy also has a pdf guide to financing systems that covers plenty of options. SavingsHomeowners can get a 30% federal tax credit to cut down the costs of solar. That's like a straight discount off the cost of a new installation. The program is set to run until 2021, but the rebate amount will be reduced starting in 2019. You may be eligible for other rebate programs in Georgia, and the DSIRE database is a good resource to check. ValueInstalling a solar system isn't cheap, but the savings on monthly utility bills show quickly. One Alpharetta mom said her family installed 21 panels on her home two years ago, and her family has seen a big difference in energy bills, particularly during summer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, most home solar energy systems pay for themselves within 5 years. The higher your electric bills, the more solar energy will save you over time. Solar energy systems are also appealing to home buyers, raising the value on your house when it's time to sell by several thousand dollars, according to a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBL) Neighborhood RulesSome homeowners associations restrict or don't allow solar panels. Be sure to check your neighborhood's rules to find out if you can install them. One Atlanta mom shared that it was against her association's rules, but she successfully lobbied to overturn the bylaw. Get Multiple EstimatesSeveral Atlanta-based and southeastern companies can complete residential installations of solar panel systems. All will provide free estimates that include the recommended size of system for your home, how much it will cost, and how it will impact your energy bills. The post Beginner's Guide to Solar Panels for Your Home appeared first on Atlanta Parent Magazine. Many families want to help make Atlanta a greener place. We know heat and light from the sun creates a free, environmentally-responsible form of energy. If you're thinking about installing solar panels at your home, here's what you need to know: How Solar Panels WorkThere is more than one way to capture and use solar energy, but residential homes can use solar panels. The sun shines on them, creating direct current electricity. This DC electricity feeds into a device that converts it in to AC (alternating current) electricity. This AC electricity can power appliances in the home, like air conditioners and lights. Your home would still connect to the traditional power grid to have electricity at night, but you would use far less than without solar energy. Home RequirementsIf you have a home with a roof and you get a significant amount of sun during the day, you can install solar panels. If you're not sure how much sun your house gets, and how many panels your house would need, check the Google Sunroof Project. Roof size isn't really an issue, because systems are so lightweight. CostBetween equipment and installation, most systems cost easily more than $10,000. But there are savings available. Michael Cichetti of Green Building Education Services (GBES) notes that city of Atlanta residents can take advantage of the Solarize Atlanta program, which is a community-based solar purchasing effort. It's crowdsourced clean energy, cutting costs to wholesale prices for a group of buyers. If you live elsewhere in metro Atlanta, other cities are slated for future Solarize programs, or you can start a petition for your town. The U.S. Department of Energy also has a pdf guide to financing systems that covers plenty of options. SavingsHomeowners can get a 30% federal tax credit to cut down the costs of solar. That's like a straight discount off the cost of a new installation. The program is set to run until 2021, but the rebate amount will be reduced starting in 2019. You may be eligible for other rebate programs in Georgia, and the DSIRE database is a good resource to check. ValueInstalling a solar system isn't cheap, but the savings on monthly utility bills show quickly. One Alpharetta mom said her family installed 21 panels on her home two years ago, and her family has seen a big difference in energy bills, particularly during summer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, most home solar energy systems pay for themselves within 5 years. The higher your electric bills, the more solar energy will save you over time. Solar energy systems are also appealing to home buyers, raising the value on your house when it's time to sell by several thousand dollars, according to a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBL) Neighborhood RulesSome homeowners associations restrict or don't allow solar panels. Be sure to check your neighborhood's rules to find out if you can install them. One Atlanta mom shared that it was against her association's rules, but she successfully lobbied to overturn the bylaw. Get Multiple EstimatesSeveral Atlanta-based and southeastern companies can complete residential installations of solar panel systems. All will provide free estimates that include the recommended size of system for your home, how much it will cost, and how it will impact your energy bills. The post Beginner's Guide to Solar Panels for Your Home appeared first on Atlanta Parent Magazine. Many families want to help make Atlanta a greener place. We know heat and light from the sun creates a free, environmentally-responsible form of energy. If you're thinking about installing solar panels at your home, here's what you need to know: How Solar Panels WorkThere is more than one way to capture and use solar energy, but residential homes can use solar panels. The sun shines on them, creating direct current electricity. This DC electricity feeds into a device that converts it in to AC (alternating current) electricity. This AC electricity can power appliances in the home, like air conditioners and lights. Your home would still connect to the traditional power grid to have electricity at night, but you would use far less than without solar energy. Home RequirementsIf you have a home with a roof and you get a significant amount of sun during the day, you can install solar panels. If you're not sure how much sun your house gets, and how many panels your house would need, check the Google Sunroof Project. Roof size isn't really an issue, because systems are so lightweight. CostBetween equipment and installation, most systems cost easily more than $10,000. But there are savings available. Michael Cichetti of Green Building Education Services (GBES) notes that city of Atlanta residents can take advantage of the Solarize Atlanta program, which is a community-based solar purchasing effort. It's crowdsourced clean energy, cutting costs to wholesale prices for a group of buyers. If you live elsewhere in metro Atlanta, other cities are slated for future Solarize programs, or you can start a petition for your town. The U.S. Department of Energy also has a pdf guide to financing systems that covers plenty of options. SavingsHomeowners can get a 30% federal tax credit to cut down the costs of solar. That's like a straight discount off the cost of a new installation. The program is set to run until 2021, but the rebate amount will be reduced starting in 2019. You may be eligible for other rebate programs in Georgia, and the DSIRE database is a good resource to check. ValueInstalling a solar system isn't cheap, but the savings on monthly utility bills show quickly. One Alpharetta mom said her family installed 21 panels on her home two years ago, and her family has seen a big difference in energy bills, particularly during summer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, most home solar energy systems pay for themselves within 5 years. The higher your electric bills, the more solar energy will save you over time. Solar energy systems are also appealing to home buyers, raising the value on your house when it's time to sell by several thousand dollars, according to a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBL) Neighborhood RulesSome homeowners associations restrict or don't allow solar panels. Be sure to check your neighborhood's rules to find out if you can install them. One Atlanta mom shared that it was against her association's rules, but she successfully lobbied to overturn the bylaw. Get Multiple EstimatesSeveral Atlanta-based and southeastern companies can complete residential installations of solar panel systems. All will provide free estimates that include the recommended size of system for your home, how much it will cost, and how it will impact your energy bills. The post Beginner's Guide to Solar Panels for Your Home appeared first on Atlanta Parent Magazine. Many families want to help make Atlanta a greener place. We know heat and light from the sun creates a free, environmentally-responsible form of energy. If you're thinking about installing solar panels at your home, here's what you need to know: How Solar Panels WorkThere is more than one way to capture and use solar energy, but residential homes can use solar panels. The sun shines on them, creating direct current electricity. This DC electricity feeds into a device that converts it in to AC (alternating current) electricity. This AC electricity can power appliances in the home, like air conditioners and lights. Your home would still connect to the traditional power grid to have electricity at night, but you would use far less than without solar energy. Home RequirementsIf you have a home with a roof and you get a significant amount of sun during the day, you can install solar panels. If you're not sure how much sun your house gets, and how many panels your house would need, check the Google Sunroof Project. Roof size isn't really an issue, because systems are so lightweight. CostBetween equipment and installation, most systems cost easily more than $10,000. But there are savings available. Michael Cichetti of Green Building Education Services (GBES) notes that city of Atlanta residents can take advantage of the Solarize Atlanta program, which is a community-based solar purchasing effort. It's crowdsourced clean energy, cutting costs to wholesale prices for a group of buyers. If you live elsewhere in metro Atlanta, other cities are slated for future Solarize programs, or you can start a petition for your town. The U.S. Department of Energy also has a pdf guide to financing systems that covers plenty of options. SavingsHomeowners can get a 30% federal tax credit to cut down the costs of solar. That's like a straight discount off the cost of a new installation. The program is set to run until 2021, but the rebate amount will be reduced starting in 2019. You may be eligible for other rebate programs in Georgia, and the DSIRE database is a good resource to check. ValueInstalling a solar system isn't cheap, but the savings on monthly utility bills show quickly. One Alpharetta mom said her family installed 21 panels on her home two years ago, and her family has seen a big difference in energy bills, particularly during summer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, most home solar energy systems pay for themselves within 5 years. The higher your electric bills, the more solar energy will save you over time. Solar energy systems are also appealing to home buyers, raising the value on your house when it's time to sell by several thousand dollars, according to a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBL) Neighborhood RulesSome homeowners associations restrict or don't allow solar panels. Be sure to check your neighborhood's rules to find out if you can install them. One Atlanta mom shared that it was against her association's rules, but she successfully lobbied to overturn the bylaw. Get Multiple EstimatesSeveral Atlanta-based and southeastern companies can complete residential installations of solar panel systems. All will provide free estimates that include the recommended size of system for your home, how much it will cost, and how it will impact your energy bills. The post Beginner's Guide to Solar Panels for Your Home appeared first on Atlanta Parent Magazine. Many families want to help make Atlanta a greener place. We know heat and light from the sun creates a free, environmentally-responsible form of energy. If you're thinking about installing solar panels at your home, here's what you need to know: How Solar Panels WorkThere is more than one way to capture and use solar energy, but residential homes can use solar panels. The sun shines on them, creating direct current electricity. This DC electricity feeds into a device that converts it in to AC (alternating current) electricity. This AC electricity can power appliances in the home, like air conditioners and lights. Your home would still connect to the traditional power grid to have electricity at night, but you would use far less than without solar energy. Home RequirementsIf you have a home with a roof and you get a significant amount of sun during the day, you can install solar panels. If you're not sure how much sun your house gets, and how many panels your house would need, check the Google Sunroof Project. Roof size isn't really an issue, because systems are so lightweight. CostBetween equipment and installation, most systems cost easily more than $10,000. But there are savings available. Michael Cichetti of Green Building Education Services (GBES) notes that city of Atlanta residents can take advantage of the Solarize Atlanta program, which is a community-based solar purchasing effort. It's crowdsourced clean energy, cutting costs to wholesale prices for a group of buyers. If you live elsewhere in metro Atlanta, other cities are slated for future Solarize programs, or you can start a petition for your town. The U.S. Department of Energy also has a pdf guide to financing systems that covers plenty of options. SavingsHomeowners can get a 30% federal tax credit to cut down the costs of solar. That's like a straight discount off the cost of a new installation. The program is set to run until 2021, but the rebate amount will be reduced starting in 2019. You may be eligible for other rebate programs in Georgia, and the DSIRE database is a good resource to check. ValueInstalling a solar system isn't cheap, but the savings on monthly utility bills show quickly. One Alpharetta mom said her family installed 21 panels on her home two years ago, and her family has seen a big difference in energy bills, particularly during summer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, most home solar energy systems pay for themselves within 5 years. The higher your electric bills, the more solar energy will save you over time. Solar energy systems are also appealing to home buyers, raising the value on your house when it's time to sell by several thousand dollars, according to a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBL) Neighborhood RulesSome homeowners associations restrict or don't allow solar panels. Be sure to check your neighborhood's rules to find out if you can install them. One Atlanta mom shared that it was against her association's rules, but she successfully lobbied to overturn the bylaw. Get Multiple EstimatesSeveral Atlanta-based and southeastern companies can complete residential installations of solar panel systems. All will provide free estimates that include the recommended size of system for your home, how much it will cost, and how it will impact your energy bills. The post Beginner's Guide to Solar Panels for Your Home appeared first on Atlanta Parent Magazine. Many families want to help make Atlanta a greener place. We know heat and light from the sun creates a free, environmentally-responsible form of energy. If you're thinking about installing solar panels at your home, here's what you need to know: How Solar Panels WorkThere is more than one way to capture and use solar energy, but residential homes can use solar panels. The sun shines on them, creating direct current electricity. This DC electricity feeds into a device that converts it in to AC (alternating current) electricity. This AC electricity can power appliances in the home, like air conditioners and lights. Your home would still connect to the traditional power grid to have electricity at night, but you would use far less than without solar energy. Home RequirementsIf you have a home with a roof and you get a significant amount of sun during the day, you can install solar panels. If you're not sure how much sun your house gets, and how many panels your house would need, check the Google Sunroof Project. Roof size isn't really an issue, because systems are so lightweight. CostBetween equipment and installation, most systems cost easily more than $10,000. But there are savings available. Michael Cichetti of Green Building Education Services (GBES) notes that city of Atlanta residents can take advantage of the Solarize Atlanta program, which is a community-based solar purchasing effort. It's crowdsourced clean energy, cutting costs to wholesale prices for a group of buyers. If you live elsewhere in metro Atlanta, other cities are slated for future Solarize programs, or you can start a petition for your town. The U.S. Department of Energy also has a pdf guide to financing systems that covers plenty of options. SavingsHomeowners can get a 30% federal tax credit to cut down the costs of solar. That's like a straight discount off the cost of a new installation. The program is set to run until 2021, but the rebate amount will be reduced starting in 2019. You may be eligible for other rebate programs in Georgia, and the DSIRE database is a good resource to check. ValueInstalling a solar system isn't cheap, but the savings on monthly utility bills show quickly. One Alpharetta mom said her family installed 21 panels on her home two years ago, and her family has seen a big difference in energy bills, particularly during summer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, most home solar energy systems pay for themselves within 5 years. The higher your electric bills, the more solar energy will save you over time. Solar energy systems are also appealing to home buyers, raising the value on your house when it's time to sell by several thousand dollars, according to a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBL) Neighborhood RulesSome homeowners associations restrict or don't allow solar panels. Be sure to check your neighborhood's rules to find out if you can install them. One Atlanta mom shared that it was against her association's rules, but she successfully lobbied to overturn the bylaw. Get Multiple EstimatesSeveral Atlanta-based and southeastern companies can complete residential installations of solar panel systems. All will provide free estimates that include the recommended size of system for your home, how much it will cost, and how it will impact your energy bills. The post Beginner's Guide to Solar Panels for Your Home appeared first on Atlanta Parent Magazine. |
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January 2019
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