My energy provider increased our rates as of Jan 1 by 18%, so got a quote for solar panels on my 1200 sq ft house. My HOA does allow this with some very reasonable aesthetic restrictions. (We have a great HOA!)

The presentation was very comprehensive and convincing. The cost came to a little over $11,000 AFTER state and federal incentives. I could pay cash or finance at 3.99% for 25 years for a monthly payment of $124.00.

The presentation factored in the months when I would not pay anything to my energy provider (7 months/year) and I would pay a small amount to the energy provider the other (colder or hotter) 5 months. This energy provider does not "buy back" if one uses less energy than generated by the panels.

The salesman was very professional and did not apply undue pressure. I said I would think it over and let him know the following Monday.

So I averaged my annual bills for 2023 and added 20% (including all the junk charges beyond cost of energy used), then added 20% to that for the next five years. After FIVE years of annual 20% increases (which is pretty extreme and unlikely to happen), my monthly electrical bill would still be less than $124/month (let's not forget there are months when I would be paying the utility provider over and above that $124 fixed payment).

So if you are thinking of looking into solar, do your due diligence first so you have a true comparison on hand before signing anything.

Surrounding many news and social media pages are 100% garbage ads from China. Beyond silly "click bait" articles you must scroll though endlessly, these are deceptive ads outside the control of the FTC.

One is for a very poor quality heater that is so small it plugs directly into a wall socket...not cord. Walmart had them for around $15, but in these ads the hype (lies) are astounding! So are the prices.



" Elon Musk Reveals the Secret to Heating Your Home This Fall And Winter... All While Cutting Your Heating Bill to Basically $0.

Fall 2023 Special - “This hyper-efficient heating technology is how we kept astronaunts warm on trips to the International Space Station. Last December the tech was finally declassified, so we knew we could help millions of people stay warm during the current energy crisis heading into winter.” [Note they couldn't spell astronauts!]

The faked photo was obvious.

Other ads offer $399 coats from [add famous name here] for $39.95. Buyers report never getting the product and the website vanishing, only to reappear with a new URL weeks later.

These appear on all kinds of pages, so be careful not to get taken.