Your Home & Garden
Solar Panels Can Save You Big Money By Janine Pumilia
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olar panels aren’t for everyone, but when they’re a good fit for your situation, the energy savings can be remarkable, says Chuck Ault, co-owner and service manager for Collier’s Solar in Warsaw, Ind. Collier’s has been installing solar panels for 10 years and has seen interest in solar energy grow among local homeowners, schools and commercial businesses. “Solar panels have been around long enough now that people are feeling more comfortable and curious about them,” says Ault. “You need to have clear exposure to the south. And the upfront investment will take some years to pay for itself, so it’s not for homeowners who plan to move anytime soon.” If you can check those two boxes, however, “The savings down the road can be exponential, especially if you invest the money you’d otherwise be paying to utility companies.” Depending on how a customer approaches it, a solar panel system pays for There’s an upfront investment to install solar panels, but if you plan to stay in your home for the long term, savings on your utility bills can be exponential. This year the federal government is offering a 26 percent tax credit. In 2023 that credit will be reduced to 22 percent. itself, on average, in 9 to 12 years. “Our typical process is to review a full year’s from Crossroads Solar Panel in South Bend, Ind., a company that employs worth of utility bills,” Ault explains. “We can design a second chance citizens, helping them to re-integrate into society. When system to get you to net zero or to be supplemental to it needs to buy from other suppliers, Collier’s seeks out American solar your utility bill. We can also install it in phases accordpanel companies. ing to your budget.” The Collier’s family of brands has been serving the greater Warsaw Solar panels can be mounted on a roof or on the area for 34 years, installing heating and air-conditioning systems, includground and typically require no maintenance. ing geothermal installations, for residential and commercial customers. “Rainfall is usually enough to wash the dust off Its Fireplace Shoppe installs and services gas stoves, gas fireplaces, wood them,” says Ault. “In extreme situations they can be stoves and wood fireplaces, and sells a full line of gas, charcoal and pellet washed with mild soap and water.” grills. Virtually anything in a home can be powered by The company also sells and services air purifiers, dehumidifiers, solar panels. humidifiers and air filtration systems as well as solar-powered attic vent “Each panel has a micrometer on it that converts fans. It installs, seals and cleans ductwork and dryer vents, too. power from DC voltage to AC voltage that can be fed Ault co-owns Collier’s with Kevin Lehman. The men were longtime into your house,” Ault says. employees at Collier’s before the chance to purchase the business arose. Depending on how your utility company structures “We got the opportunity to buy the company and we didn’t think we it, any extra energy that’s generated can be fed back into should pass it up,” says Ault. “It’s been good to our families over the the grid and credited to your account. years, and we look at Collier’s as an opportunity to extend our family to The federal government is offering a 26 percent tax the team that we’ve built, the households we serve, and the communities credit for solar panel installations this year. That figure where we live and work.” will change to 22 percent in 2023. There’s currently no state tax credit for solar installation in Indiana. Learn more by calling (574) 203-5882, go to trustcolliers.com or visit Whenever possible, Collier’s buys its solar panels the showroom at 2315 North Shelby Dr., Warsaw, Ind. ❚ Tell them you saw it in ...
Smart Living Fort Wayne
May 2022 • II
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