Quote:
Originally Posted by UpNorth
True - Florida is a state where the utilities don't like you competing with them in making electricity. However. back in 2011 in CT it was a different story. I put a 28 panel solar system on my roof and got substantial federal tax credits and a state rebate. Soon after it went online my electrical bill went down to zero. Once a year the utility zeros out the excess Kwh I put into the grid and issues me a credit for a couple hundred dollars. The panels are guaranteed to produce at 85% output after 25 years, and new panels are now half the price of the ones that are installed. Electrical bills have gone through the roof in CT due to additional "social benefits" add on and other charges that have taken effect. Bills are in the $400-$600 per month range for a typical home. Electricity is cheap down here in Florida, and not worth putting in solar panels, unless you are somehow inclined to believe you are "saving" the environment.
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We didn't have central air, and our heat was oil. So our electric bill was really only horrible during the heat waves, when we used 3 window air conditioners at full blast just to cool off our 1957-built 1100-square-foot house with an attic roof that didn't have an exhaust fan or ridge vent. Even then, it didn't get more than $200 in August or July. Meanwhile our oil heat was insanely expensive, so we felt like we were getting a break in the summer, when the heat was shut off.
We actually did look into the possibility of converting to electric heat and central air, and having solar panels power it. But the cost for all of that would've been over $100,000 up front. Would've needed new ductwork and vent systems, removing the oil tank, getting a new furnace, etc. etc. etc.