Better Business Bureau Advises To Get Educated On “Green Energy” Before Converting Home

UNDATED -- The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota warning residents to become educated on solar energy before making the large investment that comes with it.

Rising energy prices has many of us thinking about "going green", but the better Business Bureau says be careful. As with any home improvement project, there are unscrupulous contractors out there that are looking to scam you out of thousands of dollars.

The first thing to do is educate yourself about solar energy and how it works.

Next, conduct a self audit to determine whether making the sizable investment is worth it. If your monthly energy bills are about $100 or less, consider other ways save energy that cost less.

If you decide to "go green" do your research on the various contractors. Be wary of contractors going door-to-door, dropping off flyers or making unsolicited phone calls. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Also, get multiple bids and realize it pays to look beyond just the lowest bid when selecting a contractor.

Finally, stay informed about state and federal incentive programs that could help you keep the cost down.