When you electrify your home – with a heat pump HVAC system, EV charger, induction cooktop
or heat pump water heater – your demand for electricity will go up. Duh. Or as Tim Allen would
say: “I need more power.”
Incentives as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) help reduce the upfront costs of these
electrification upgrades. But the only way to reduce the operating costs of these new electrical
appliances is with more solar power on your roof.
But upgrading an old solar system is not for the faint of heart. New solar inverters and panels
are unlikely to be compatible with your existing system. Your utility may restrict the number of
panels you can add. And sometimes your electrical service may require an upgrade to handle
the higher power output from your upgraded solar system.
Keep in mind these three recommendations. First, it is relatively easy to add a battery to an
existing system. Second, seriously consider replacing the entire system if it is over 15 years old.
And third, work with an experienced solar installer who’s familiar with older equipment.
For the nitty gritty details about upgrading your existing solar system, please tune into this
week’s Energy Show.
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