Do Solar Panels Make Your House Cooler or Hotter?

Installing solar panels on the roof of your home offers several benefits. For example, you’ll lower your electricity costs, you unlock a renewable source of energy, and you have much lower maintenance costs compared to traditional electricity methods.

Despite this, many homeowners ask the same question when considering renewable energy: do solar panels make your house cooler or hotter?

Solar panels can actually keep your home cooler in the summer and hotter in the winter. It’s a win, win.

Do solar panels cool your house?

Solar panels reflect heat from the sun, causing roof temperatures to drop on average by a few degrees.

While solar panels won’t protect your roof from extreme heat, they can direct heat away from the building, which, if you’ve ever experienced a Kentucky summer, can get pretty hot. We’re sweating just thinking about it.

Related: Can You Put Solar Panels on a Metal Roof?

Do solar panels heat your house?

That’s right – alongside cooling your house in the hotter months, solar panels can help heat your house in the colder months.

You may be wondering, how is this possible? Well, the solar panels act as a layer of insulation to keep warm air inside your home. Essentially the opposite effect of the summer months.

What are the benefits of solar panels?

Okay, now that you know how solar panels work (when it comes to temperature regulation), let’s highlight some of the other benefits of solar as a form of renewable energy for your home.

Benefits of solar panels include:

• Environmentally friendly
• Renewable energy source
• Financial incentives 
• Reduce your electricity bills

Continue reading to discover more about each benefit.

Environmentally friendly

Solar energy and solar panels are known for being environmentally friendly. After all, you’re harnessing the power of the sun to generate electricity. There are no turbines, workers, or other components – it’s entirely self-sustaining and renewable.

Renewable energy source

Solar is a renewable energy source. You’ll be able to power your home from heat, using your own power supply to drastically reduce your energy bills.

And in the event of a blackout or other disaster, chances are you’ll still have electricity. Now that’s something you can’t put a price on.

Financial incentives

Some states offer various financial incentives to homeowners who choose to install solar panels. You may benefit from reduced tax, and you might be able to get your solar panels significantly cheaper through government-backed incentives and solar programs.

It’s well worth looking into the financial aid (if there’s any) to see if you qualify for a discount. Also, once installed, you may benefit from other energy programs or incentives, too. So do your research – it’s often a worthwhile investment.

Reduce your electricity bills

It’s a well-known fact that solar energy reduces your electricity bills. After all, you’re making your own electricity.

Whether or not you’re able to power your entire home exclusively on solar electricity, though, depends on how many solar panels you have and the climate you live in. For example, if there’s little sunlight, then you won’t generate as much electricity compared to climates that are slightly hotter or have more sunlight.

Either way, those savings on electricity bills are always welcomed.

To summarise

Solar panels will make your house cooler in the summer months, and hotter in the winter months. Typically, solar energy is a great investment – there are a ton of financial incentives, you’ll cut down your energy bills, and you’re doing your part for the environment.

If you’re looking for more advice on solar energy or solar panels, or other roofing inquiries in Nicholasville, Kentucky, or surrounding areas, then contact us today.

FAQs

Do solar panels make your house hotter?

Yes, solar panels will act as a layer of insulation in the colder months, preventing warm air from leaving your home.

Do solar panels have a cooling effect?

In the hotter months, solar panels have a cooling effect – they also reflect some of the heat from the sun away from your property. This can help reduce temperatures to keep your roof, and home, nice and cool.

Do solar panels cool the attic?

Yes, solar panels can cool the attic. As heat rises, this is often welcomed, especially if you’ve turned the top floor into an extra bedroom or hangout area.