Are You Shopping How You Power Your Home?

Most people carefully shop for their mortgage rate, their car loan, even their cell phone plan. But very few ever stop to ask: “Am I shopping how I power my home?”

With electricity costs rising, solar financing options everywhere, and new ways to combine energy upgrades with your mortgage, the way you “buy power” matters more than ever. Let’s explore the three main ways homeowners can do it — and the pros and cons of each.

1. Buying Power From a Utility Company (The Traditional Way)

For most homeowners, the utility company has always been the default. Flip a switch, pay the bill. Simple. But the future may not be as simple as the past.

Pros:

• No upfront cost — you just pay as you go.

• The grid is reliable and always on.

• No equipment or maintenance to worry about.

Cons:

• Rates are rising. Utilities pass the cost of new infrastructure, fuel, and demand (like AI data centers and EV charging) straight to consumers.

• Fixed monthly charges are increasing, even if you use less.

• You own nothing. After decades of payments, you still have zero asset value.

Verdict: Buying from the utility keeps the lights on, but it’s the most expensive long-term option — and it gives you no control.

2. Renting Power From a Solar Finance Company (Leases and PPAs)

The sales pitch sounds good: “No money down. Just swap your utility bill for a solar payment.”But what most reps don’t say is that you don’t own the panels — they do.

Pros:

• Low or no upfront cost.

• Your bill may go down a little in the first few years.

• Maintenance is typically handled by the finance company.

Cons:

• Contracts last 20–25 years with escalating payments.

• The finance company usually keeps the 30% federal tax credit.

• Liens or UCC filings can complicate refinancing or resale.

• Appraisers don’t add value for leased solar — so your home doesn’t benefit.

• If you sell, buyers must qualify and the solar company must approve the transfer — and many walk away.

Verdict: Renting power from a solar finance company can feel like relief at first, but over time it often costs more and reduces flexibility when you want to refinance or sell.

3. Owning Your Power (Rolling Solar Into Your Mortgage With Lowtility)

This is the “new way” of thinking about homeownership — treat your power source as part of your home, not a separate rental contract. By financing solar (and even storage) through your mortgage, you’re essentially turning your house into its own mini power plant.

Pros:

• You own the system — which means you keep the 30% federal tax credit.

• Utility savings offset the added mortgage cost. In many cases, the bill goes down more than the payment goes up.

• Adds value to your home at resale (owned solar is seen as an asset).

• No second liens, no solar lease red tape.

• Eligible for down payment assistance (like Lowtility’s Grid to Green program), which converts wasted dealer fees into grants for buyers.

Cons:

• There’s an upfront investment — but by rolling it into your mortgage, you spread it over 30 years at the lowest interest rate available.

• Requires planning at the time of purchase or refinance.

Verdict: Owning your power through your mortgage is the closest thing to being your own utility. You capture the savings, the equity, and the flexibility.

The Big Question: How Do You Want to Power Your Life?

The way we power our homes is no longer just about the light bill. It powers your lifestyle, your work, and even your transportation as EVs become more common.

So ask yourself:

• Do you want to buy power forever from a monopoly utility?

• Do you want to rent panels from a finance company and give away your tax credits?

• Or do you want to own your own micro-utility, build wealth, and keep control?

With Lowtility, homeowners can choose the third option — turning their home into a wealth-building asset that powers itself.

 🔍 Want to Learn More?

We’ll help you understand your solar + mortgage options and see if a Lowtility loan is right for you. Let’s find the smartest way to own your energy.

👉 GET A FREE QUOTE TODAY or schedule a free call to explore your options.