In case you were wondering when is the right time to contact one of the solar companies in Santa Rosa, 2019 is the year for that perfect solar transition. This is especially true if you are a resident of California, since the government has been undertaking willful initiatives for implementing maximum solar electricity units before the next decade counts in.

For bringing the US Government’s vision to fruition, the ITC (Investment Tax Credit) has brought into implementation, a flat 30% credit on your total purchase and installation cost of domestic and commercial solar electricity units and systems.

And guess what, this offer would be valid till 2020, after which the rate will fall down to 26%.

Avail 30% CREDIT in 2019As per the official documents released by the federal government, those solar PV systems that were brought into service before December 31^st, 2019 are to be considered eligible for the above-mentioned 30% tax credit.

Please bear in mind that whenever you put your solar PV systems into service after December 31, 2019 or after January 1^st, 2020 through December 31^st2020, the tax credit amount will be 26%. This clearly shows how much profit you can claim if you introduce solar panels before the mentioned dates.

Summit Technology Group is always on the lookout for new products and services that benefit our clients. That’s part of the reason why we’ve been in business for over 50 years. Today is no different. STG is excited to announce that we are now offering full design services, including lighting design.

The decision to offer lighting design came easy to us. After decades of installing lights and electrical work, we came to the realization that good lighting design can enhance lifestyles and even improve health and wellness so they should be readily available to everyone.

Imagine reading your favorite glossy magazine without harsh glare from a lamp. Or switching seamlessly from bright task lighting in the kitchen while you chop vegetables to warm ambient lighting during dinner. The right lighting can help you do better, know better and feel better.

Are you interested in learning how lighting design can enhance your lifestyle and even improve your health and wellness? With our four step process, we make it easy. We offer three packages allowing you to choose the one that fits your project the best – from basic design to custom bespoke. During Phase 1, we DISCOVER what is important to you. Send us your plans, drawings, and anything that will help us understand the project. Invite us to your Pinterest boards or Houzz Ideabooks; provide us magazine clippings and photos of your current home. We study it all and meet with you using our online video conferencing technology to discuss your goals for the project and share our unique approach to design. During Phase 2, we DESIGN a unique digital sketching phase that allows us to imagine multiple possibilities for your home. We build a preliminary set of drawings including lighting plans that show every fixture in the home. In Phase 3, we DEVELOP what works best for you and build fixture allowances that help you budget. We walk through the lighting design room-by-room, updating the plan in real time to fit your needs and measuring it against our own high standards. In phase 4, we DELIVER a complete set of lighting plans with measurements and fixture types for your entire project. We also provide buying guides for decorative fixtures like pendants with all the details you need to choose the right lights. We provide guides for architectural fixtures- such as recessed downlights- to simplify your shopping experience. 

Smart Home Automation Offers Effortless Control of Lighting and Entertainment

That time of year has arrived to Healdsburg, CA! Soon, friends and family will arrive at our doorsteps, and holiday parties will be in full swing. While it's a great time of year, it can also bring increased stress with more on our to-do plate than time allows. This year, consider taking some of the pressure off with a smart home automation system.  At Summit Technology Group, we partner with Control4 and Lutron, leaders in home and lighting automation. Together, we can make your holidays more enjoyable. Let’s look at how these systems can help you get through the season of giving with your holiday spirit intact.

Add Light, Life, and Curb Appeal to Your Home with the Tap of a Button

There’s nothing quite like spending long summer nights with friends and family on your patio long after the sun has set. But once you’re enveloped in darkness, your backyard can turn into a dangerous setting - and your yard loses its luster. Create an inviting and safe space for everyone with a well-illuminated yard and property.

Bring landscape lighting to your Napa County, CA home to improve home security and enhance curb appeal as well! Keep reading below to find out more about this lighting design and how our team at Summit Technology Group can bring your setup to life.

Power outages are not only inconvenient but are also becoming more frequent. Whether caused by a natural disaster or inclement weather, a power outage can bring your life to a grinding halt. An outage can last a few minutes, a few hours, or even a few days. Luckily, a little planning and preparation can go a long way towards mitigating the impact of a power outage.

If your area experiences frequent power outages, consider investing in a solar system with backup battery. A typical battery backup system stores energy produced by solar panels for later use. Modern backup batteries are much more energy efficient and more affordable than their predecessors.

However, there is a limit to the amount of energy that a solar battery can store. If your budget allows, consider investing in a generator and a solar battery. Once your solar battery exhausts its charge, your generator will power your household equipment while you recharge your battery. You can opt for a natural gas, diesel or propane powered generator.

Here are some things to consider when buying a solar battery:

• Depth of discharge
• Round-trip efficiency
• Battery capacity and power
• Battery life and warranty

Things to consider when buying a generator:

A Smoke Alarm Inspection: A Few Minutes Out of Your Day Can Save Lives

In 2020, more than 350,000 house fires occurred in the United States. While that is an alarming statistic, it has been drastically reduced since the widespread use of advanced smoke detectors. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association, there are approximately 50% fewer residential fires than 40 years ago. Even though smoke alarms are quick to respond to heat or smoke in your home, it’s still vital to ensure they are in good working order.

Smoke alarm inspection takes a few minutes to do, but it can save lives and protect your home from costly damage. It’s also important to know the proper placement of smoke detectors, when to replace the batteries, and how to maintain the alarms. Keep reading to learn how to protect your home in Glen Ellen, CA.

Power outages can be disastrous, especially if you have a sick person at home who uses an electricity-dependent medical device or assistive technology. If your area experiences frequent power outages, consider a solar battery backup in Sonoma County that will provide backup power when your regular power source fails.

There are several benefits of solar battery backups. A solar battery backup system can help you reduce your carbon footprint. When your solar panels produce more energy than you need, the excess energy is stored in your battery. The system utilizes this surplus energy to power your appliances during power outages.

Solar batteries are either AC or DC coupled. In an AC-coupled battery system, the solar inverter converts DC to AC, then a second inverter in the battery converts AC back to DC to be stored in the battery. During a grid power outage, the battery inverter converts DC back to AC to power your loads.

With a DC-coupled battery system, DC is produced by the solar panels and stored in the battery. During a grid power outage, the inverter converts DC to AC to power your loads. The federal government and many state governments currently provide incentives to homeowners for using solar battery backups. These incentives include federal tax credit and state and utility rebates.

The federal solar tax credit allows homeowners who install a solar energy system in 2021 to deduct 22 percent of the cost of installing the system from their federal taxes.

Just like any other household appliance, your standby generator needs regular care and maintenance. Whether you use an electric generator, a diesel generator, a portable generator or a gasoline generator, make regular maintenance a priority.

Regular maintenance prevents problems. A well-maintained standby generator is safer, more efficient and will last longer. It consumes less fuel, needs less frequent repair, and is less prone to breaking down.

Here are some tips to keep your home standby generator in tip-top shape.

Change Your Standby Generator’s Oil Regularly

Make changing your generator oil a part of your regular maintenance plan. Changing your standby generator’s oil regularly will reduce friction between the different components of the engine, preventing them from overheating.

[vc_row row_height_percent="0" override_padding="yes" h_padding="3" top_padding="3" bottom_padding="3" back_color="color-xsdn" overlay_alpha="50" gutter_size="3" column_width_percent="100" shift_y="0" z_index="0"][vc_column column_width_percent="100" gutter_size="3" style="light" overlay_alpha="50" shift_x="0" shift_y="0" shift_y_down="0" z_index="0" medium_width="0" mobile_width="0"][vc_column_text]Utility companies can turn off power during extreme weather. This is done to ensure public safety. Some common conditions that can lead to power shutoff are low humidity and high-speed winds. Power to high-risk areas such as those with dry vegetation is usually cut first.

If your utility company assesses a public safety risk, it will notify you and other residents in your area before shutting off power. A power outage can last from a few hours to several days. You need to set up an emergency plan that can help tackle safety risks and steer clear of inconvenience during power shutoffs.

Here are some tips to prepare for power shutoffs:[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]Update Contact Information[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1602269114282{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]If you have recently changed your number or email address, make sure your utility company has your updated contact details. A power outage can render electricity-dependent devices such as your laptop useless; which means you won’t be able to access any data (including important contact info) saved on those devices. If your phone battery dies, you won’t be able to call anyone.

To reduce dependency on technology, create a backup. Write down important phone numbers on a piece of paper. Make sure everyone has a copy.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]Conduct Drills to Check Preparedness[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1602269056209{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]Conduct drills to check the preparedness level of your family members. Check whether everyone knows how to use a flashlight and radio, and to change batteries. Everyone should be able to locate the emergency kit.

Family members who drive should be able to open the garage door manually. Make sure everyone knows where they have to go if they can’t stay at home. Using the paste URLs function of the Bulk Backlinks Checker, you may examine the backlink counts for up to 400 URLs.

Update Your Home with New Light Switches from Summit Technology Group

A lighting system is one of the most important features of any home. Light not only makes a home livable but also impacts a homeowner's daily life. A lighting system requires wiring throughout the house, connecting lights and power outlets to various switches and dimmers. It’s one of the most crucial stages of home design and should only be done by a trusted company with proven experience.

Whether upgrading your Coeur d’Alene, ID, home’s lighting system or installing one into a new build, Summit Technology Group has the expertise to put you in complete control of your lighting. Keep reading to see what we can bring to your light switch installation project.

[vc_row row_height_percent="0" override_padding="yes" h_padding="3" top_padding="3" bottom_padding="3" back_color="color-xsdn" overlay_alpha="50" gutter_size="3" column_width_percent="100" shift_y="0" z_index="0"][vc_column column_width_percent="100" gutter_size="3" style="light" overlay_alpha="50" shift_x="0" shift_y="0" shift_y_down="0" z_index="0" medium_width="0" mobile_width="0"][vc_column_text]Here in the wine country of Sonoma County, we are faced with a growing wildfire season and people are looking for ways to get off the grid and keep their lights on during outages. Solar panels are an eco-conscious choice that helps save the environment and lessen your dependence on traditional electricity.

It is estimated that around 81 percent of the total energy consumed in the U.S. comes from fossil fuels such as natural gas and coal. If you want to contribute to sustainability, you need to decrease your dependency on energy produced by burning fossil fuels. You can achieve this objective by installing a solar panel.

A solar panel harnesses the sun’s energy, which is free and abundant. Your solar panel will not just benefit the environment, but also keep your pocket happy and enable you to keep the power on during planned and unplanned power outages.

Installing a solar panel is a major decision. In addition to committing upfront funds, you may also have to make changes to your property. Before you hire a solar company near you for solar panel installation, remember to seek answers to these questions.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]What is the Condition of Your Roof?[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1602269717504{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]Your solar panel will increase the amount of weight on your roof. If your roof’s structural integrity is compromised, address the problem before starting your solar panel installation project. If your roof is damaged or is nearing the end of its service life, repair or replace it.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]Is Your Home Energy Efficient?[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1602269670585{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]If you live in an old home with inadequate insulation or you use an old HVAC, consider making energy-efficient improvements before installing solar panels. Hire a professional to seal leaks around windows and doors. Insulate tanks and pipes. These renovations will improve your home’s energy efficiency, allowing you to opt for a smaller system.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]What is the Shape and Type of Your Roof?[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1602269634721{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]Roofs come in different shapes, including curved, pyramid or hip, and flat. These roof types have varying degrees of pitch, which can impact the panel’s exposure to the sun. Before starting your solar panel installation project, evaluate your roof’s surface to ensure it has sufficient space to accommodate your solar panels.[/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text_font="font-728346" text_size="h5" text_weight="600"]What Warranties Does Your Solar Panel Manufacturer Offer?[/vc_custom_heading][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1602269599410{margin-top: 8px !important;}"]Most warranties guarantee that the solar panels will generate 80 percent of the rated power after two decades of use. If you can find a manufacturer that offers comprehensive warranties that cover all parts and labor, take advantage! Ask your manufacturer what happens to your warranty if they go out of business or are acquired by some other company.

Summit Technology Group is a solar company near you that can help you answer these questions. We will evaluate your home or building and surrounding property. We also work with manufacturers on warranties and rebates.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text text_lead="yes"]Are you looking for a solar company near you with a proven track record of success? Look no further than Summit Technology Group. For us, credibility, honesty, and dedication are more than just buzzwords. These are the three cornerstones of our business. To schedule an appointment, call us at 707-542-4773.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

From Saving Money to Energy Independence, You’ll Love Having a Solar-Powered Home

Solar panels have become an increasingly popular addition to many homes. Solar PV systems offer many benefits, whether you use them to supplement your electric supply, save money on your utility bill or decrease your carbon footprint. While that may be reason enough to look into solar panel installation, there are a few more reasons why adding this technology may be the best thing you can do for your home. Keep reading to learn how installing solar panels in your Healdsburg, CA, home can benefit you.

Kick Off Summer the Right Way By Hosting the Best Backyard Party!

Memorial Day is more than a long weekend—it's the unofficial start of summer and the perfect excuse to throw the ultimate backyard bash. Whether you're firing up the grill, playing cornhole with friends, or lounging in the sun, the right outdoor technology can turn your casual get-together into an unforgettable celebration. From jaw-dropping visuals to immersive sound and ambient lighting, today’s outdoor entertainment systems are designed to keep the fun going all weekend.

Ready to take your party to the next level? Let’s explore how outdoor TVs, backyard audio, and landscape lighting can make your patio the ultimate holiday hangout.

Embrace Holiday Cheer Early with a Multi-Room Audio System

Summer is coming to a close. Back to school is upon us, and the fall season will fly by. Before we know it, it’ll be the holiday season. The holidays can make the months of November and December hectic as you buy gifts, decorate, host parties, and so much more. It’s never too early to start holiday preparation, which is why now is the perfect time to think about installing a multi-room audio system in your Sonoma, CA, home. A home audio system has benefits year-round, allowing you to listen to your favorite media in any room, and it especially comes in handy around the holidays. Keep reading to see three examples of how a multi-room speaker system can help you spread holiday cheer.

3 Tips for Achieving Whole Home Automation and Integration in Your Smart Home

In a way, smart homes function as the human body does. They are a collection of systems working in unison. When one fails, the rest can suffer. With the holiday season upon us, is your home ready for some fun?

At Summit Technology Group, whole home automation is the goal for our residential projects in Healdsburg, CA. To achieve it, we collaborate with architects, designers, and GCs to turn our clients’ smart home dreams into a reality.

From security and surveillance to access and lighting control systems, we know your home works best when its technology is designed, installed, and monitored by professionals.

Here are three tips for achieving full system integration and automation in your own home.

A Battery Storage System Saves Solar Power for When You Need It the Most

We know it’s hard to imagine, but the holidays are upon us. Before we know it, family and friends will be gathering for celebrations that last long into the evenings. Are you ready? One of the aspects homeowners may only consider once it's too late is the power that keeps the lights, heat, and entertainment up and running.

In addition to extreme weather events, power outages can occur when PGE proactively turns off electricity in the interest of public safety. Of course, sometimes it’s simply mechanical failures, like in May 2022, when 1,500 homes and businesses lost power in Santa Rosa after an underground cable failed. Statewide rotating power outages may also become more common as temperatures rise and create more frequent extreme heat events.

The good news is that integrating a battery storage system into your Santa Rosa, CA, home can keep your home up and running, reduce your reliance on the power grid, and lower your energy bills. Let’s explore the makings of a battery storage system.

Around 30,000 electrical fires are reported from different parts of the country each year. These fires are estimate to cause $1.1 billion in property damage and kill more than 300 people.

Some common causes of electrical fires are faulty electrical outlets, old appliances, overloaded light fixtures, and old wiring. In most cases, homeowners notice several signs of electrical problems before an electrical fire breaks out.

Every homeowner should watch out for these red flags and take corrective action in a timely manner.

Burning Smell Any unusual burning smell near an electrical appliance could mean that there’s something amiss. Your wiring could have become so hot that it might have started burning the plastic cover. If you ignore the problem, the heat from your wiring could start a house fire.

If you notice a persistent burning smell coming from a device, stop using it and turn it off. Unplug the device, switch off the power point, and call an electrical service in Santa Rosa immediately.

Thinking of a Residential Solar Install? Here’s Why Now Is the Time to Do It!

Do you hesitate when people talk about putting solar panels on their roofs? Perhaps, you wonder if there’s real value in doing it. You may ask yourself, “Can I really save money and energy on a residential solar install?” In this blog, we’ll focus on the many benefits you enjoy with a solar panel system on your home in Healdsburg, CA.

Summit Technology Group has been installing them on homes and commercial buildings for many years. So, we’ve seen firsthand how property owners benefit from these systems. Keep reading to learn five reasons why installing a residential solar system could be the right choice for you.

SEE ALSO: How You Can Save With a Home Energy Management System 

Elevate the time you spend outside with an intuitive landscape speaker system

Have you been enjoying your time outside this summer? Whether you relax on your patio, exercise in the pool, or play with your children in the backyard, going outside can benefit your overall well-being and mood. If you are less than enthusiastic about getting fresh air, or even if you live for the outdoors, one way to liven up your time outside is with an audio-video system.

Discover three unique ways to use your outdoor audio system in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho!