For many homeowners, their monthly electricity bill can feel unpredictable. Utility providers roll out gradual increases on top of fluctuating inflation rates and seasonal differences, making monthly electric costs challenging to control. Solar energy empowers homeowners to control their electricity expenses by offering a reliable, long-term solution to residential power.
Homeowners can enjoy greater financial stability through their new energy independence by getting off the grid. Consider these five ways solar energy can help homeowners control their monthly energy bills and live more sustainably and affordably, regardless of the season.
1. Offsets Utility Hikes
Maryland homeowners have noticed monthly utility price increases from major providers such as BGE. These increases may be due to rising inflation costs, infrastructure costs, or state-mandated standards for lower emissions and more sustainable energy production.
Regardless of the cause, homeowners must future-proof their finances against these rising rates. Solar energy systems allow residences to generate the electricity they need, saving them on monthly electricity bills depending on the array’s size, position, and usage. According to recent data, Maryland homeowners save an average of $127.66 per month by switching to solar.
2. Increases Energy Independence
Solar panels allow homeowners to offload their electricity needs to the solar array. Besides the installation and maintenance costs, solar arrays provide free, sustainable energy that reduces the home’s dependence on the grid. This comes with several benefits other than lowering costs.
For example, during periods of high energy usage, when electricity prices can rise even higher, homeowners with solar arrays can keep costs down. When grids go down due to usage spikes or weather, solar-powered homes with battery backups can continue operating normally. In addition to achieving independence from electricity increases, homeowners can save even more by preventing food spoilage, which impacts around 14% of homes that experience an outage.
3. Accesses State-Sponsored Benefits
Many states offer additional cost-saving benefits to homeowners who switch to solar arrays. For example, Maryland offers homeowners the Solar Access Program, which reserves some of the state’s energy budget to assist homeowners in gaining access to sustainable solar arrays.
Maryland is also one of nine states with a solar renewable energy credit program (SREC). These can be claimed by generating extra power through a residential solar array and reselling it as a credit back to the energy supplier. This helps utility providers meet their quotas for sustainable energy production while helping homeowners make more money from their solar arrays.
4. Reduces Extra Charges
In addition to energy price increases, a monthly electricity bill can increase due to hidden charges. For example, many energy providers, such as BGE and Pepco, charge extra for energy used during “peak usage times,” which is when the most power is being drawn from the grid.
These peak times per day are usually afternoons to early evenings, but they also represent a broader seasonal trend. Homes use far more energy in the summer to maintain lower temperatures and in the winter to retain heat. Any peak usage time can cause homeowners to incur extra charges, but solar energy can offset these costs.
Solar arrays collect the most power when the sun is strongest in summer afternoons. Arrays with battery storage systems can save this excess energy, buffering electricity bills against extra usage costs.
5. Offers Stable Energy Pricing
While many homeowners are concerned with monthly electricity costs, the broader financial picture should also be considered. While grid-based electricity will continue to rise yearly, solar prices will remain consistent. Stable pricing can lead to substantial long-term savings, helping homeowners budget their household expenses in advance without setting aside as much for planned energy hikes.
Once the solar array is paid off, the electricity it generates becomes free for the residence. This allows homeowners to enjoy decades of lower bills and greater energy independence while increasing their home’s value. Since modern arrays require little maintenance, lowering electricity bills is only the start of potential savings.
Contact Energy Select to Regain Control Over Your Monthly Electricity Bill
When properly implemented, modern solar arrays empower homeowners to regain control over their monthly electricity costs. As utility providers raise energy prices due to inflation and infrastructure investments, homeowners can future-proof their finances with renewable solar power.
Energy Select helps Maryland and Northern Virginia homeowners get off the grid with high-quality, low-maintenance solar arrays. Our experienced team helps homeowners take control of their rising energy bills by installing solar arrays in the best configurations for their homes.
Contact our team today to invest in energy self-sufficiency. Going solar is the best way for homeowners to control their monthly electricity bills with clean, affordable, and renewable energy.