Do Solar Panels Save on Heating Bills?

If you’re looking for ways to lower your energy bills this winter, switching to solar energy could be the solution you’ve been searching for. Solar panels allow you to produce your own electricity using free energy from the sun, so you can power your home without having to buy as much (or any) electricity from the grid. 

But will installing residential solar panels reduce your heating costs, specifically? It depends on what kind of power you use to heat your home. 

Solar Panels Can Power Electric Heating Systems for Free 

Solar panels work by turning energy from the sun into electricity. They can be used to power anything that runs on electricity, including electrical heating systems. If you use an electric heating system like a heat pump, mini split, or electric furnace to heat your home, or if you supplement with electric space heaters, installing solar panels will lower your heating costs directly. 

Depending on the number of solar panels you install, you could run your electric heating system entirely on solar power, saving you hundreds of dollars on your heating bills. Boston Solar can help you determine how many solar panels you need to power your heat pump so you can stay warm all winter long while saving as much money as possible on your heating costs. 

Save on Heat Pump Installation with Inflation Reduction Act Tax Credits 

High-efficiency heat pumps and solar panels go hand in hand, and thanks to new incentives, you can save on both! The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 solidified a 30% tax credit for heat pumps and solar panel installation through 2032, so you can save on both when you make the switch. Check out our guide to solar and energy efficiency tax credits to learn more. 

Solar Panels Won’t Lower Your Gas Bill 

Electric heat pumps are becoming increasingly popular in New England, but a lot of Massachusetts homeowners still rely on gas and oil heating systems rather than electric ones. Unfortunately, gas and oil heating systems cannot be powered by solar panels alone. But even though they don’t use electricity to produce heat, gas heating systems still have electric components, which can be powered by solar electricity. So, while solar panels won’t save you money on your gas bill, they can still help reduce your heating costs indirectly. 

Solar Savings Can Offset Your Gas or Oil Costs 

Of course, your home’s power needs go far beyond your heating system. Many appliances, including your refrigerator, washing machine, and dishwasher run on electricity, as do all of your electronics like your TVs, computers, and phones. Solar can power all of these, reducing or even eliminating your electric bills. These savings can make it easier to manage other expenses, like your gas bill. 

Find Out How Much Solar Panels Can Save on Your Electricity Bills 

If you’re thinking about installing solar panels this winter, Boston Solar is here to help you save as much as possible. We would be happy to provide a free assessment so you can learn more about how solar can help with high winter energy bills and save you money year-round. We install custom solar systems designed to meet your specific energy needs and maximize your solar benefits! Our team has installed over 5,000 solar energy systems and we are proud to be the leading solar company near you in Massachusetts. 

Save on high winter energy costs with solar! Call 617-858-1645 or contact us to schedule a free solar assessment.