There are several reasons why your energy bill doesn’t go down as much as you expected.

You’re solar company didn’t engineer your system properly. When we first meet with a client, we make sure that the usage information we receive is accurate. If there are anomalies, we try to determine whether those numbers will change one way or the other in the future. Since the pandemic, more people are working from home. This would increase the home’s energy usage and must be included in the calculations. We also determine if there are any plans to add a swimming pool or spa or change major appliances from gas to electric. The addition of an electric car or truck will add to the need for energy to charge the vehicle. Sometimes a son or daughter will be moving home after graduation, or you have an elderly parent move in to care for them. The answer is to plan for these life-changing events and design the new solar system accordingly.

You just experienced a big life change. Whether you’ve just added a new member to your family or bought an EV, life changes can often be exciting. But they can also require you to use more energy. For example, having a new baby could lead to additional loads of laundry, a bumped up thermostat, or late nights with the lights on. Running your dryer or charging your EV during off-peak times can help avoid increased costs.

If you’re thinking about solar energy now, your  SunPower dealer can help you talk through any potential changes in your future that will impact your electricity use and size your system appropriately. If you’re not sure, adding  energy storageis a great way to give yourself some “headroom” for expanding your electricity use later.

Your utility rates increased. Besides changing to time-of-use rates, utilities often change rates seasonally. And most utilities at least contemplate an annual rate increase. These changes can add up over time. It’s also not uncommon for utilities to add new fees to your bill.

There’s no real way to avoid these rate increases. But keep an eye on your bill is always sage advice.

Pairing solar + storage can help you rely less on the grid (no more blackouts)  and use stored energy for when you need it most. The Inflation Reduction Act has provided tremendous long-term incentives both solar and energy storage that are rolling out now and make these clean energy solutions more affordable than ever.

All things considered, solar panels are a great way to keep your energy costs low, stable and predictable. In fact, because electricity rates continue to soar, this may be the best time to think about going solar.

No matter where you live, there’s a SunPower dealer near you with great local knowledge about utility rates and deep experience designing and installing the right size of  home solar system to meet your family’s growing needs. Schedule an online appointment today to learn more.