The latest report from the Solar Energy Industries Association shows that it costs 36% less to install solar in Virginia than it did five years ago.

Forecasters predict that worldwide material shortages may soon drive prices up again, though. So, it’s best to move fast if you’re interested in getting on board with solar in this state.

What’s more, there are a few more ways to save on your solar installation costs in Virginia. Keep reading to discover them all.

The Federal ITC

The federal Investment Tax Credit allows you to claim back 26% of the cost of your solar installation from your income tax during the year you install it.

This solar tax credit applies only to homeowners and business owners who buy their PV system outright, either with cash or a loan. It has no cap, but you must have enough income to make the credit meaningful.

Property Tax Savings

Installing solar power can increase the value of your home by around 20%. That means your property tax increases too. 

In 30 localities of Virginia, homeowners are exempt from paying any increase in property taxes due to this. If you live in an area that doesn’t implement this solar incentive, you can petition your Board of Supervisors to make some changes.

Solar Rebates

The state of Virginia doesn’t offer any rebates on solar installations, but some manufacturers do. LG offers a solar rebate of $600 on their equipment.

There are also several organizations in Virginia, like PACE funding, that help homeowners secure affordable loans for installing sustainable energy systems. 

Work with your solar installer to find attractive rebates while discussing your solar options. They can help you find the best deal for your needs. 

PPAs for Solar in Virginia

Reduced energy consumption offers ongoing savings for Virginia homeowners who install solar. When you harvest some of the electricity you need from the sun, you’ll see a dramatic decrease in your electricity bills.

You don’t need to go off the grid to enjoy these savings, either. By signing a Power Purchase Agreement with your power company,  you can save even when you use electricity from the grid.

A grid-tied system feeds any excess energy generated by your solar panels back into the grid.

The State of Virginia compels energy companies to reimburse homeowners for this energy. That means you’ll receive a credit at the end of every twelve-month billing cycle, or you can carry the savings over indefinitely.  

In Virginia, this principle applies only to home solar energy systems below 20 kilowatts (kW) in size. 

Information from one solar provider implies that you could get as much as 18 months of reduced costs thanks to various incentives, promotions, and discounts in Virginia. 

The Big Picture

There’s one last benefit to installing solar in Virginia, and it’s the most important one. When you implement sustainable energy initiatives, you help reduce the number of fossil fuels burnt every day.

That means you’re making a small impact on reducing global carbon emissions and ensuring a safer future for us all.

Are you interested to discover additional savings tips? Bookmark our website and check back regularly for updates on how to save and earn more money.

With the threat of climate change looming, it’s never been more important to do what we can to protect the planet. And while one person’s efforts to reduce emissions can’t change the world, they do set a good example.

This leads to more people making positive changes until taking steps toward a healthier world becomes the norm.

Best of all, reducing your carbon footprint isn’t as difficult as you might think! It’s not about rearranging your entire life. Small, simple changes make the largest impact.

To learn how to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment, just keep reading!

1. Seal Your Home

One of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon emissions is to ensure that your home is sealed well against the elements.

There are two options here. One is to request a professional from your local electric company to do an energy audit. The other is to go the DIY route, inspecting your home for potential leaks yourself.

Doing it yourself isn’t difficult; all you have to do is check the windows and doors for air leaks. When you spot a drafty area, make a note that you need to add weather stripping or a storm door.

2. Drive Less

We all know that exercise is key to a healthy, energetic life, but how many of us actually get the amount we need?

Well, what better way to knock out your recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise than by biking or walking instead of driving? You can improve your health while reducing your carbon emissions!

Any time it’s safe and realistic to do so, skip the car. Your body will thank you! If you can’t bike or walk to your destination, consider public transportation or carpooling.

3. Buy Local Food

Believe it or not, even your food choices have an impact on your carbon footprint. Now, you don’t have to switch to a full-blown plant-based diet if you don’t want to. But consider reducing the amount of meat, especially red meat, that you consume.

Not only is it healthier for you, but it reduces greenhouse gas emissions created by processing meat and dairy products.

If you do buy meat or dairy products, why not buy from your local farmer’s market? You’ll get higher-quality products and support your community at the same time!

4. Use Renewable Energy

For many people, switching to renewable energy isn’t possible to do overnight. However, more and more energy companies are providing renewable options to their customers such as wind and hydroelectric energy.

Also, keep in mind that, while installing solar panels on your home is an investment, they’ll pay for themselves! There’s no harm in contacting your local residential solar provider for an estimate – you never know, it could cost less to purchase solar panels than you think.

5. Go Energy-Efficient

If you don’t already own energy-efficient appliances, there’s no need to spend a fortune replacing them all at once. Instead, as they require replacement, choose energy-efficient options.

While you wait, make small changes to your habits. Ensure that you turn off all lights when you leave a room, wash your clothes in cold water, and use power strips instead of plugging directly into outlets. In doing so, you can turn the strip off when you’re not using it and prevent unnecessary energy drain.

Reduce Emissions to Do Your Part for the Planet

The efforts of a single person might seem meaningless, but if everyone did a little to reduce emissions, the effect would be enormous. And when you do your part for the planet, you benefit as well!

Not only do you have cleaner air and a healthier Earth for your children, but you also have the opportunity to live a healthier, more active lifestyle.

Interested in learning more ways you can help the planet and live a healthier lifestyle? Take a look at our blog!

According to the SEIA, Texas ranks second in the US when it comes to solar panel installation, with enough solar power installed to supply over 1,2 million homes.

That’s largely due to the excellent conditions for solar energy generation in this state, plus lucrative benefits for homeowners who go this route.

If you live in Texas, you’re missing out on the many solar benefits available to you. Keep reading to discover the most important ones.

1. Reduced Electricity Bills

One of the most exciting benefits of solar for most homeowners is how much they can save when they install a residential solar system.

In Frisco, you can opt for a grid-tied solar system or a grid-tied system with battery backup. This means you’ll stay connected to the power grid and share any excess electricity you generate with your power company.

In return, they’ll give you credit for any electricity you use from their supplies.

Thanks to the abundant sunshine in Texas, you can also install an off-grid system in this part of the world. That means you generate all your own power and never pay an electricity bill again. 

Who can forget the widespread power outages in Texas during early 2021? If you have backup solar power, you’ll never have to re-live that nightmare again. 

2. Texas Solar Benefits and Tax Rebates 

When you install solar in the US, you can deduct 26% of the total installation cost from your taxes. That means you could get as much as $9,000 back, depending on the size of your installation.

When you install solar power, the value of your home increases by around 70% of the cost of the solar panels. In Texas, you won’t pay increased property taxes due to the value that solar power adds to your home.

You’ll still pay the same amount you paid before you opted for a solar installation. You will benefit from the added value that solar brings when you sell your home, though. 

3. Frisco Solar Power Savings 

Many solar companies in Frisco offer lucrative discounts of their own when you install solar power. These include installers who run specials from time to time. 

Power companies compete with one another to offer the best net-metering savings as well as rebates on your solar panels. Some residential solar installation companies can even offer you 18 months of free solar power. 

The average cost of solar panels in Frisco works out to $2.64, which is lower than the national $3 average, so you’re already paying less for your solar installation before any rebates.  

Our Future Depends on Solar

Apart from the above, one of the most important solar benefits is that you contribute to stalling global warming when you install solar.

If we want our children to inherit a cleaner, healthier environment, we need to do everything we can to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels. The alternative is certain extinction.

Would you like to find out more ways you can save money and do good things in the world? Bookmark this website and check back regularly for more tips. 

Did you know that the human nose can detect up to 1 trillion different scents? The human nose is an incredible thing, but it should come as nose surprise (pun intended) that there are tons of nose shapes and sizes. There is no best nose shape, but there are noses that conform to the most common nose shape.

While there is no best nose shape, it is still fun to go in and identify which nose shapes you and your friends have. If you’ve ever been curious about the different nose shapes that people have then you’ve come to the right place to learn more about the types of nose shapes.

Continue reading this article to learn all about the common nose shapes that people have today.

Fleshy Nose Shape

The most common nose shape in the world today is the fleshy nose. This nose shape actually accounts for almost a quarter of the population when it comes to the types of nose shapes in the world. Some people refer to the fleshy nose as the “Einstein Nose” since it is often associated with his.

It is characterized by an extra fleshy appearance with some fleshy noses even appearing bulbous in shape.

Turned-Up Nose Shape

Another common nose shape is the turned-up nose. This nose is also referred to as the celestial nose and it is characterized by its smaller size and shape. It tends to have a dent in the middle of the bridge which is paired with a protruding nose tip that looks like it is pointing up.

An example of a famous person with a turned-up nose is actress Emma Stone. This nose has come into prominence and gained popularity with people that want revision rhinoplasty surgery on their noses. This is one of the most popular nose shapes that patients request when they come to a plastic surgeon for a rhinoplasty.

There is a risk that comes with trying to get the turned-up nose shapes. If the plastic surgeon doesn’t get it just right then your nose will end up looking too pointy and prominent. A great example of this happening to a celebrity is Michael Jackson’s nose. Around 13 percent of the population has a turned-up nose shape.

Roman Nose Shape

There are two famous nose shapes that come from history that you’ll need to learn about. The first is called the Roman nose shape. This nose shape is one of the more common types of noses. The name for this nose shape comes from the shape of the noses on Roman statues and sculptures. 

The Roman nose is sloping and slightly curved when it comes to the types of nose shapes. It also tends to have a bridge that is more pronounced than other shapes of noses that make it stand out. The bridge tends to have a bit of a curve to it as well. It is associated with a strong profile. Two prominent celebrities that have this nose are Ryan Gosling and Tom Cruise.

Bumpy Nose Shape

The bumpy nose shape is another one of the most common nose shapes that you should know about. Around 9 percent of the world’s population has this type of nose. A bumpy nose gets its name because it has a bumpy appearance rather than a smooth and streamlined appearance.

Some bumpy noses even have a bit of a curve to them. A great example of a bumpy nose shape is Owen Wilson’s nose. People with bumpy noses often make prime candidates for a rhinoplasty procedure. This is because it is a simple procedure to go about smoothing the bumps in the person’s nose.

That process is much easier than getting your nose widened or slimmed down. If you have a bumpy nose shape and want to make a change then you should get in touch with a plastic surgeon near you.

Snub Nose Shape

Another prominent nose shape that you should learn about is the snub nose shape. A snub nose is a nose that has a thin profile with a pointed appearance. The typical snub nose has a bit of a rise to it at the tip of the nose. It is similar to the celestial nose with only some minor differences.

The big thing that separates the snub nose from the celestial nose is that the snub nose is more rounded and wide. It is estimated that only five percent of the world’s population has this nose shape.

Hawk Nose Shape

The hawk nose shape is another nose shape that is hard to miss. It has a very dramatic appearance that makes it stand out as a prominent feature. The hawk nose gets its name from the similarities in appearance when compared to the beak of a hawk or an eagle. Another common name for this nose is the aquiline nose. It helps to create a strong profile of a person’s face.

Adrian Brody is a famous person that has a prominent hawk nose shape.

Greek Nose Shape

The Greek nose shape is another nose shape that gets its name from history. This nose shape is often called the “straight nose” shape. It comes from the appearance of the noses on the ancient Greek statues and sculptures of their gods. It has a bridge that is defined by its straightness and tends to have zero curves or bumps in it.

If you’re looking for a good example of this type of nose then you should look no further than Jennifer Aniston. This nose is rarer, with only 3 percent of the population of the Earth featuring a Greek nose shape.

Now You Know Your Nose Shapes

There are a ton of different shapes that define the faces of people across the globe and it is important to know the names of these nose shapes and what characterizes each. Many people have a fleshy nose shape that features a bulbous appearance. There are also famous nose shapes that get their names from the ancient Greek and Roman statues that feature them.

For more interesting articles on a range of topics make sure you check out our blog.

Are you worried about your HVAC system? Are you afraid it might break down, just when you need it the most? What can you do to keep costs down while taking proper care of your system?

Studies have shown that regular maintenance can reduce HVAC energy costs by 5 to 40 percent depending on the system or equipment involved. That’s substantial.

If you have an HVAC system in your home, you need to keep it well maintained. Here are five common HVAC problems and how you can avoid them.

1. Clogged Filters

This step is your first defense against problems with your system. Your HVAC filter cleans your air, and the debris can build up, causing poor performance. It can also lead to blown fuses, which will require a visit from your service professional.

So change your filters regularly. You can do this maintenance step yourself to save money.

How often you need to change your filters will depend on several things. The air quality where you live is one factor. If you have pets, you may need to change them more frequently.

2. Cleaning Can Avoid HVAC Problems

If your evaporator coils are dirty, your HVAC system won’t operate very efficiently. These coils remove moisture from the air. The water is removed using a drain line that might get clogged, causing problems with your unit.

If you have an exterior unit, like a heat pump, the evaporator coil can be hosed off. A trained HVAC service technician is the best person to work on an interior unit.

Your ductwork will collect dust over time, and that can affect the performance of your HVAC system. Dusty air vents can reduce airflow, so it’s a good plan to clean your ductwork regularly.

3. Faulty Capacitor or Refrigerant Leaks?

There are several things that can go wrong with your HVAC unit over time. Copper piping runs from the compressor to the evaporator coil. This piping can develop pinhole leaks over time, causing the refrigerant to leak.

Your unit has several capacitors that work to support the proper functioning of your compressor. If one of them fails, it can cause a larger problem.

4. Frequent On and Off is a Signal of Faulty HVAC

When your air conditioning turns on and off frequently, you have a problem with your HVAC system. Your refrigerant may be low or you might have frozen evaporator coils.

It’s time to contact a professional to have your system assessed. Try wallyfalkes.com for your servicing needs. They will assist you in determining what is going on with your system.

5. Regular Servicing By a Professional

There are some things you can take care of by yourself. When it comes to more complex maintenance, it’s best to call a pro.

A regular maintenance visit might seem excessive, but they will check your unit and catch problems early. That will save you money in the long run.

Fix Your HVAC Problems With Confidence

There are a lot of benefits to understanding your HVAC problems. When you know what is required to keep it maintained, you’ll be confident it will perform well when you need it to.

Did you find this article helpful? See the Frugal Living tab for more great money-saving ideas.

Looking for more home maintenance ideas? Check out the posts in our DIY section.