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• Why Solar Power

Why Solar Power?

It's a choice with many benefits

It's free.

Solar energy systems allow you to capture free sunlight and convert it into usable power in your home.

It's clean.

Solar power can be used to heat and cool your home, but it has almost no impact on the global climate. By comparison, electricity generated by power plants produces carbon dioxide emissions that scientists say pose serious threats to the environment.

It's infinitely renewable.

While non-renewable energy sources like oil, gas and coal are becoming increasingly scarce, the sun's energy is limitless. Wherever sunlight shines, electricity can be generated.

It can reduce your utility costs.

Having a system that creates solar power means you use less electricity from your utility company, and that can contribute to lower heating and cooling costs. This is significant, especially when you consider 56% of energy use in a typical U.S. home comes from heating and cooling*. To find out how much you can save by harnessing energy from the sun, use our solar calculator.

It comes with incentives.

The U.S. federal government and some states provide solar power tax credits for renewable-energy systems. Depending on where you live, you may also be eligible for "incentives through Austin Energy or your local power company. To find out what incentives are available in your area, visit dsireusa.org.

It increases your energy self-reliance.

The more sunlight harnessed by the system, the less electricity you need from your utility supplier.

It can also increase your home's value.

An investment in a solar-energy system may improve the value of your home, thanks to its ability to lower the cost of heating and cooling. Surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development have shown that home values rise an average of $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility bills. A California Study indicated an average increase in home value of $17,000 when solar panels were installed.

It's extremely reliable.

The sun has been around for billions of years and is likely to burn on for billions more to come. And when you consider how a trusted name like Lennox is putting it to economical use in the home, it's easy to see solar energy's future is bright.

It raises SEER.

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Like a car is rated by MPG, and air conditioner is rated by SEER.

The typical 10 year old air conditioner is operating at 10 seer. More efficient systems are typically installed in the Austin area today – usually around 16 SEER. By adding solar to your new a/c system you can enhance the SEER greatly.

By adding 4 solar panels to a 16 SEER system, it is capable of operating at 23 SEER. Add 4 more panels and it will operate at 34 SEER!

*U.S. Department of Energy statistics