Frequently Asked Questions
We know we can’t answer all of your questions without talking to you first, but here are a few of the most common we get from our customers.
Solar batteries are essential for maximizing the benefits of solar energy. They store excess energy for later use, providing a consistent power supply even when solar panels are not actively producing electricity. This helps reduce reliance on the grid and can save money by avoiding peak electricity rates.
In many places, there are government incentives, rebates, or tax credits for installing solar panels and energy storage systems, including solar batteries.
Get in contact with us to learn about available incentives in your area.
Though it is not necessary to have a battery, it’s wiser to pair your solar panels with one. Adding battery storage to your home solar system lets you store the excess energy your solar panels produce.
With a battery, you can save your renewable energy and use it at night or in an outage instead of drawing electricity from the power grid.
Some areas provide rebates for battery storage as well as the Federal 30% Tax Credit applies until 2032.
Whether you can paint your siding depends on the material. Wood, fiber cement, and some types of metal siding can be painted. Vinyl siding is typically not designed to be painted because it is manufactured in a color that doesn't require painting.
Siding contributes to energy efficiency by providing insulation and reducing heat transfer between the interior and exterior of the home. In regards to fire resistance, Hardie Board Fiber Cement is a non-combustible siding. Insurance companies would love for you to install Fiber Cement!
Maintenance depends on the type of siding. Generally, siding should be cleaned annually using a mild detergent and a soft brush or pressure washer. Inspect for any damage or signs of wear, and promptly address issues to prevent further damage.
The lifespan of siding depends on the material used. Vinyl siding, for example, can last 20-40 years, while wood siding may have a lifespan of 20-30 years, a great alternative to wood siding is Hardie Fiber Cement, this siding has been known to last up to 50 years! Proper maintenance and climate conditions also impact the longevity of siding.
Signs that siding may need replacement include cracks, warping, rot, mold or mildew growth, excessive fading, and loose or missing panels. If you notice any of these issues, it's advisable to contact us to assess whether replacement is necessary.
Solar cost is the first thing a prospective solar owner asks and it is valid! You want to know what this investment will cost you and while there is no blanket cost for a solar system due to different factors, the range for price can be from $15,000 to $60,000. Remember all Americans qualify for the 30% Federal Tax Credit for going solar & in Illinois the state pays you a direct rebate around 18 months post-solar installation. Our average solar panel client pays $35k cash for a 10kW solar system. In Illinois, after the Federal 30% Tax Credit of $10,500 plus the $13,500 state of IL rebate, our average client is only paying $11k to power their home! After the money savings from their utility bill, it takes our average Illinois client 6-7 years to pay off their system before they make money. Our Tennessee & Texas offices do not have state solar rebates.You can find the cost of your solar online in minutes using our solar calculator. We recommend using this calculator first as it’s an easy way to see if you want solar or not depending on the estimate you get.Calculate Your Solar
Solar batteries are essential for maximizing the benefits of solar energy. They store excess energy for later use, providing a consistent power supply even when solar panels are not actively producing electricity. This helps reduce reliance on the grid and can save money by avoiding peak electricity rates.
In many places, there are government incentives, rebates, or tax credits for installing solar panels and energy storage systems, including solar batteries. Get in contact with us to learn about available incentives in your area.
Though it is not necessary to have a battery, it’s wiser to pair your solar panels with one. Adding battery storage to your home solar system lets you store the excess energy your solar panels produce. With a battery, you can save your renewable energy and use it at night or in an outage instead of drawing electricity from the power grid. Some areas provide rebates for battery storage as well as the Federal 30% Tax Credit applies until 2032.
Roof replacement costs can vary due to a variety of factors. Some of those factors include square footage, materials, labor, where the home is located, the layers of the roof, the teardown, environmental conditions, the extent of roof damage, and finally roof design. The square footage, materials, labor, and roof design are all pretty self-explanatory. We do charge based on the square footage of the roof so we know how much to charge for the material and if the design of the roof is more of a challenge, we also will be required to take extra safety precautions for our installation crew. Additionally, if your roof has any rotting wood, this also adds to the difficulty and safety of the project. Pricing a roof replacement can seem daunting, but if you get in touch with us, we can get you a complimentary roof estimate hassle-free.
This is a great question as you invest in a new roof for your home. You want to know how long your investment will last in terms of roof lifespan. The lifespan tends to depend on the types of materials used for your roof. A standard asphalt roof will tend to last about 25 years; however, around the 20-year mark is when you should start considering roof replacements. Premature roof failure is another reason to look into roof replacement. Improper roof installation and inadequate attic ventilation are two reasons your roof could fail prematurely. Finally, weather damage is another reason to have your roof replaced. If you live in a heavy weather area, your home might need more replacing than the average roof lifespan. You can always schedule a consultation with Phoenix Exteriors to determine what would work best for your home!
Here is a list of some common reasons you would need to replace your roofDamage due to water, weather, or wildlifeYour ceiling is sagging, has dark streaks on the roof or shingles, or light shining through roof boardsDecayed, missing, curled, or broken shinglesMissing granules on shinglesAge of roof (20 year mark is a good time to start thinking about a new roof)Visible mossChimney flashing damagedPoor attic ventilation
Roof replacements can vary especially since there is planning done well before the installation. If we are only talking about installation time, after permits have been approved locally, we schedule a good time that works for the client. Once scheduled and as long as the weather permits, a roof replacement installation could take anywhere from 1-5 days. Different factors play a part in the timeline of an installation. Accessibility of your roof contributes to how the installation crew will be able to conduct the tasks and if the roof is of a particular design that can add some time. The design of your roof, tear down, and cleanup of the site all contribute to the process.
Solar does increase the value of your home. Studies from Zillow have shown that property values tend to increase by an average of 4.1%. Perspective homeowners are also more likely to buy a home with solar than without solar panels. Solar is becoming more and more attractive to buyers especially as energy bills are on the rise. Especially when buying a house, any cost-saving measures can be invaluable in the long run. Another study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory concludes that each kW of solar installed can raise your home value by $5,000. Our average residential solar system is 10kW, raising home value by an estimated $50,000.
When you have your solar system, you generate energy from the sun and if you generate too much, you can sell that excess solar energy back to the utility company’s energy grid. With net metering, you’ll be making money off of the energy companies that used to charge you for energy consumption. You’ll have to check your area for specifics. Some companies provide actual monetary incentives and others repay homeowners in the form of credits towards their next energy bill if an amount is due.
This is a common question when a person is approached about a solar system for their home. It could seem unnecessary or cumbersome, but there are plenty of reasons why you should consider solar for your home. One of them is how much money this saves you! Solar energy from the sun is free and is a renewable resource so you never run out of power. Whereas, utility companies use finite resources for energy such as coal and natural gas that have to be generated for power. By going solar, you can reduce energy bills by a significant percentage. Most energy companies are also raising their prices as we run out of finite resources and their mistakes cost us money! Additionally, solar is the cheapest form of energy in the world today. By going solar, all customers see a return on investment due to solar being the cheapest form of energy and it is only getting cheaper by the year!Note, the new Inflation Reduction Act increased the federal tax credit to 30% until 2032 for all Americans. For our Illinois clients, they get an additional state rebate that can be up to an extra 20-30% in rebates. By going solar in Illinois, many of our clients on average take 6-7 years to pay back the original cash investment, and after that, they are making money for the next 15-20 years by powering their home from a free source of energy, our sun.
Yes, solar can save you money! When you switch to solar, you are cutting back and in some cases cutting out your energy bill altogether! However, you will always be getting an energy bill for connection fees to the grid. On average, American households spend about $1,500 in electricity bills a year. This number is also likely to increase as utility companies continue to raise their prices as finite resources run out. Solar, however, is an infinite resource that we can harness for a cleaner world and solar will only help you save money!
All the seasons have their pros and cons, but a big factor at play here is where your home is located. Some would argue that the summer season is the best time of year to have your project scheduled, but the extreme heat could make it hard for the crew to complete the project. Additionally, summer is usually the busiest time of year for the roofing industry so availability could be limited. Spring is also a popular season to schedule due to availability being a little more flexible and temperatures in most areas do not scale on the extreme side; however, some areas in the US are quite wet during this time, so it would be much harder to schedule. Fall is also a preferred time to schedule a roof installation. It tends to be on the cooler side without being too cold for other operational problems and less busy during the fall season too. Arguably, winter is the worst time to have your roof replaced. If there is an emergency, you might not have much of a choice, but the good news is that winter is usually the most available time for roofing crews to complete a project. Winter is a bad time for installations due to a few different reasons: roofing materials harden and become brittle, shingles could crack, shingles take longer to adhere than in warmer temperatures, and sealants wouldn’t be applied as effectively. Shingles can only be installed in 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit, some shingles allow for as low as 32F for installation. So really the best time to replace your roof is up to you!