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⚡ Utilities
Manuals, maintenance schedules, and reference docs for home utilities.
HVAC
Air Filters
Two filter sizes are needed — keep replacements stocked in the garage:
- Upstairs unit: 14 × 20 × 1 (qty: 2)
- Downstairs unit: 20 × 25 × 1 (qty: 1)
Filter replacement is tracked in Home Assistant (Maint). A reminder appears when the next change is due — currently every 6 months.
Annual Tune-Up
Professional service scheduled each spring before cooling season. Contact Cross Mechanical
for routine maintenance — see Service Providers.
Tracked in Home Assistant (Maint); next due October 2026.
Documents
Plumbing & Septic
Water Heater — Tank Flush
The Bosch point-of-use water heater tank should be flushed periodically to prevent sediment buildup.
Tracked in Home Assistant (Maint); last flushed January 2026, next due January 2029.
Contact Jacob's Plumbing — see Service Providers.
Septic System
The septic tank is pumped and inspected every 4–5 years by Septic Pro.
Tracked in Home Assistant (Maint); last pumped March 2026, next due March 2030.
See Septic System Diagram for layout.
Documents
Electrical
Solar
System Overview
A SunRun grid-tied solar system was installed in 2017. The system is connected to Duke Energy Carolinas via net metering — solar production offsets grid usage, and Duke supplies power when production falls short. SunRun owns the equipment; it is leased, not part of the home.
- System size: 9.90 kW DC
- Panels: 33 × Hanwha Q-Cells Q.PEAK G4.1 (300W each), across four roof arrays
- Inverters: Two Ginlong Solis inverters (Solis-4.6K-2G-US and Solis-3.6K-2G-US)
- Designed to offset: ~70% of household electricity usage
Contract & Billing
The system is under a SunRun BrightSave™ solar lease — a flat monthly payment regardless of how much the panels produce. The lease started at $90/month in 2017 with a 2.9% annual escalator. Payments increase each year on the anniversary of the In-Service Date.
- Term: 20 years from In-Service Date (approximately 2017–2037)
- Year 9 payment (current): $113.13/month
- Year 20 payment: $154.93/month
- Total over 20 years: $28,726.61
- Autopay discount: $7.50/mo included in above rates — autopay must stay on to keep this rate
Autopay is on — no action needed each month. Historical bills are archived on Synology (see Documents below).
Performance Guarantee & Monitoring
SunRun guarantees the system produces at least 95% of its estimated output over the life of the lease. If cumulative output falls short on any annual anniversary, SunRun automatically issues a refund at $0.13/kWh for the shortfall. You can track live production at my.sunrun.com.
- Year 1 estimated production: 11,986 kWh
- Full-term guaranteed output: 228,668 kWh (cumulative over 20 years)
- Account number: 513074263846
- Typical output: 870–980 kWh/month in winter; higher in summer
Warranties
- Workmanship & equipment: 20 years — SunRun maintains, monitors, and repairs the system at no cost for the full lease term
- Roof penetrations: 10-year weather-tight warranty on all roof penetrations made during installation
- Important: Do not allow any contractor to work on the roof during the 10-year roof warranty period without notifying SunRun — this can void the roof warranty
End of Term Options (circa 2037)
At the end of the 20-year initial term, three options are available:
- Remove: SunRun removes the system and restores the roof to original condition, free of charge
- Purchase: Buy the system at fair market value (FMV), determined by independent appraisal
- Renew: Agreement auto-renews annually at a rate tied to Duke Energy's on-peak residential rate (minimum $90/mo)
SunRun will notify you 30–60 days before term end with your options and the renewal rate. To opt out of renewal, provide written notice at least 30 days before term expiration.
If You Sell the Home
The lease can be transferred to the buyer (FICO score 650+ required). SunRun must be notified before closing. Contact SunRun Customer Care to initiate a transfer.
Contacts
Documents
