Fabulous Finances Blog

Personal Finances for the Regular Person

Protect Your Investment in Solar

Solar panels for sale today are designed to capture the sun’s light and convert it into electricity. Each panel has many solar cells. The panels are linked up to each other to formĀ  a whole system. They’re installed in groups of three or four in places where they can capture sunlight, often on the roof of homes and other buildings. You need to make sure that your solar panels are properly maintained so that they continue to operate correctly and produce enough power.

The good news is that these systems do not need much upkeep. The only breakable part is the glass on the solar panels. The only component that has any moving parts at all is the heating pump. Even though maintenance will be light, it’s wise to stay on top of it.

It’s a good idea to periodically inspect your solar panels. Dirt and other pieces of debris will have to be removed to prevent damage. Look at the owner’s manual supplied by the manufacturer to see how often you should check them. If there’s a reason to check them more frequently – a nearby tree for example – take that into consideration. Panels that are installed in exceptionally dusty environments will need to be inspected more often. If it helps, create a schedule or mark your calendar to keep track of the device’s maintenance.

In order to remove an accumulation of grime and dirt particles from the panels, scrub gently from time to time. Soap and warm water can loosen the dirt. Wipe it away with a clean soft cloth to avoid scratching the glass. Since they are located on roofs, they are likely to receive a fair share of bird droppings. You’ll need to completely remove them to maximize the amount of sunlight that gets through to the solar panels. One you’ve removed the dirt, cool down the panels with room temperature water before drying. This will prevent streaks and water spots.

It’s far too much of a hassle to uninstall the panels during their cleanings. You will have to use a ladder and some safety gear to climb up to them. Take every safety precaution as you inspect and clean the panels to avoid the accidents that frequently occur when climbing on roofs and using ladders.

A solar panel must be completely clean in order for it to function properly. A dirty panel could mean that you get little or no use out of it. So cleaning them is an extremely important act, rather than a cosmetic one.

There are other options besides climbing to the roof of your home. You could clean your solar panels from the safety and comfort of the ground using a tool designed for that purpose. The long metal pole is able to powerfully spray a steady stream of water much like the devices used at self serve car washes. Most of the devices can be hooked up the home’s front or backyard water faucet.

You could also consider hiring professional solar panel cleaners. These companies can send experts out to your home to inspect and clean rooftop solar panels. They have the proper tools and knowledge to keep them clean and working efficiently. Look in the phone book or online for local businesses that offer this service. Or ask the contractor that installed your system. Shop around and get prices from a few different companies. There’s a wide range in pricing.

September 11, 2010 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Smart Way to Buy Pet Insurance

Your furry, beloved one is not guaranteed to always remain healthy. One good way to make sure that you won’t have to make difficult decisions in the future is to buy pet health insurance now. The right low-cost coverage can get you well prepared for the unexpected, especially if you know how to shop for it.

When you’re considering getting VIP pet insurance for your dog or cat, there are several factors that you’ll want to take into account. This is especially true if you have had a long running history with a trusted veterinarian and do not wish to have to take your business elsewhere simply because your payment method has changed. You can save yourself a lot of hassle, stress and money just by knowing what questions to ask before you choose a pet insurance policy.

It’s a good idea to speak with both your veterinarian and any insurance companies that you are considering to find out which insurance policies your vet accepts. Your veterinarian might also be able to refer you to a pet insurance company. He probably has a pretty good idea of what is covered under the different policies and how that matches up with your pet’s health needs.

Any pre-existing condition that your dog or cat has should be discussed before you choose a provider. It is crucial that you find a provider that offer insurance that will address this issue adequately as well. Though general health may be covered by all plans, many policies will not pay for the continued treatment of a known condition. Better yet, if your pet is young and you don’t think he needs insurance yet, don’t wait. Get the policy before he develops any ongoing health problems.

The same is also true for a chronic or recurring condition. Some pet insurance policies only cover expenses for a certain number of visit related to one issue, even if the pet was insured before the first instance. While your animal may not have shown evidence of a recurring condition, it is important that you find an insurer that will offer continuous coverage on fair terms should such a condition arise.

Financial stability and reputation are important too. After all, you want a company that’s still going to be in business when and if you have a claim. You can try asking around if you’re not able to get a referral from a veterinarian. Try family, friends and co-workers. Maybe employees at the local pet store will be able to offer information about one or more insurance companies. You are looking for a policy that covers the cost you’re likely to incur at the best possible price.

Another way to find out how well a pet insurance company serves its customers is to read online reviews and ratings. Look for ratings written by real customers about how their claims were handled. Be alert to any problems people have had. Did the insurance company do well even if a pet had extensive health needs? Did they raise the premium after a certain amount of claims were filed?

Choosing the right pet insurance is not always easy, but it is certainly always beneficial. Your cat, dog or bird relies on you for their health care needs for their whole life. You can avoid the need to suddenly come up with a lot of money in case of an unexpected illness or accident by paying a small monthly fee now.

September 10, 2010 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

How to Buy Motorcycle Insurance Wisely

Motorcycle insurance requirements vary from one state to another. Finding the cheapest and most comprehensive coverage however, is not all that hard to do when you know how to look, what to look for and what you need to do in order to get a great rate. With a little online diligence, you can nab quality insurance at a super low price.

As with pretty much all vehicle insurance, the older you are, the better off you are when it comes time to get a good rate. Those in the best position to secure a policy that offers favorable terms with payments that you can afford are those over age forty. If you are a bit younger, driver responsibility will play a huge factor in the rate that you get. Regardless of your age, your driving record will make a huge difference in how much your insurance costs. If you have had numerous accidents in the past, it may behoove you to keep your hog off the road for a year or two in order to let the points that are currently on your record be removed. If, on the other hand, your driving record is exemplary, you can take advantage of that. Seek out insurance companies that reward good drivers with discounts. Of course, they’ll all tell you that they do. There’s just one sure way to know for sure – get several motorcycle insurance quotes.

Each motorcycle insurance company tries to get new customers by offering incentives and rewards to drivers in certain demographics. Some companies may have the financial leniency to offer younger drivers super affordable rates, while others simply cut the cost of coverage for those drivers that have managed to remain accident-free for a specified amount of time. When you find the motorcycle insurance company that specializes in the kind of driver you are, that’s where you’ll get the best coverage at the lowest price.

Price comparison websites eliminate the middleman and help customers find great insurance rates that line up with their personal age, location and driving records. As a motorcycle rider it is always beneficial to shop for coverage online, rather than in person. This is because the databases that are offered on the web are generally far more extensive than those of most agents or brokers. This means that you have a far greater likelihood of finding stellar insurance, because there is a greater range of deals that you qualify for right within the database. You can also save potentially hundreds of dollars on the brokerage fees.

It is never a good idea to cut down on the coverage that you need, simply to get a good rate. You run a pretty big financial risk when you drive a motorcycle or any vehicle on public roads and have liability insurance. Liability insurance doesn’t cover damage to your own vehicle, just damages to the other driver’s car.

Motorcyclists in particular face much greater risks. If you hit or are hit by a car, the other driver and his vehicle may sustain minimal damage. The motorcycle, though is often badly damaged or totaled. If you carry liability insurance only, one accident could deprive you of your motorcycle and you would have no coverage to repair or replace your bike.

For motorcycle riders who do not have the advantage of having an accident-free record, it may be beneficial to take on a greater deductible in order to lower the cost of the premium. Another option is to pay more of the premium up front rather than paying monthly over the whole year. You can find find the options that offer the most benefit for your specific situation by shopping for motorcycle insurance online.

September 10, 2010 Posted by | Insurance | , , | Leave a comment