Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Every year, more Durango residents adopt rooftop solar panels to lower their carbon footprint and add value to their property. Transitioning to solar energy can lower your monthly energy expenses and shrink your carbon output. Before you get started, you want to make sure you find a qualified installer. That’s why we’ve reviewed the options and assembled a guide to the most trustworthy solar Installers in Durango. These top providers consistently deliver high-quality and reliable services.
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Today's Homeowner looks at dozens of datapoints on solar companies to come up with our data-driven rankings. It's not possible for a company to pay for preferential treatment in our rankings. We look at the following key factors in determining who should top our list:
Installing solar panels can lower your electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. When determining whether a solar provider is a good fit for you, consider these key factors.
Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This helps ensure that the work is done correctly using the most up-to-date installation methods. While electricians and plumbers in Colorado have state-issued licenses from the Colorado Electrical Board or Colorado State Plumbing Board, the state's unique home-rule structure means counties and cities can issue their own solar professional if they choose.
Check review sites like TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Google Reviews to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's reliability and customer service. Use caution with companies that have no reviews or mostly negative ones.
Contact three to five solar companies for free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly outline all costs and specify the exact solar components included. By comparing multiple quotes, you can identify the option that best fits your budget.
Quality solar installations should have comprehensive workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels. The performance guarantee promises a specific energy output level. Strong warranties indicate that a solar installer has faith in its installations.
Solar energy can help lower your electric bills over time. When weighing the total price and value of solar panels, make sure to consider these factors.
In Durango, solar panels cost an average of $3,980 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 4.9 kilowatts. The typical Durango homeowner spends $13,556 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will consider additional information reflecting your desired system's capacity, size, required preliminary work, and panel type. In some cases, homeowners may prefer leasing solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Type: Sales Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Varies (local option)
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Varies (local option)
Incentive Amount:
Air Sealing: $300-$500
Insulation: Up to $1,815
Duct Sealing: $200 (gas-heated homes only)
Window Replacement: Up to $1,000
Air Handler Blower Motor: $150
Whole House Mechanical Ventilation: 20% of cost
Heat Pumps: $500
Replacement Furnace: $300-$500 (gas-heated homes only)
Ductless Mini-Split: $250/head
Replacement Gas Boiler: $300 (gas-heated homes only)
Replacement Water Heater: $100-$500
AC System: $150-$500
Whole House Fan: $275
Evaporative Cooler: $500
Incentive Amount:
Refrigerator Recycling: varies, contact utility for details
Natural Gas Furnace: $300
EC Motor in New or Existing Furnace: $100
Air Conditioning/Air Source Heat Pump: $300-$600
Mini-Split Heat Pump: $300
Water Heater: $70-$450
Evaporative Cooling: $200-$1,200
Attic Insulation: $350-$600
Wall Insulation: $350-$600
Air Sealing, bypass sealing, and weather-stripping: $175-$450
Ground Source Heat Pump: $300/ton
Smart Thermostat: $50
Incentive Amount:
Attic Insulation: $400-$700
Air Sealing/Bypass Sealing/Weather-Stripping: $250-$550
High Efficiency Lighting: 30% of cost
Wall Insulation: $450-$700
Evaporative Cooling System: $325-$1200
Central Air Conditioner (New): $400 - $700
Central Air Conditioner (Trade In): $550
Ground Source/Geothermal Heat Pump: $300 per ton
Electric Heat Pump Water Heater: $550
Programmable Thermostat: $25
High Efficiency Furnace: $400
Electrically Commuted Motor: $125
Tankless Water Heater: $200
Standard Tank Water Heater: $100
ENERGY STAR Refrigerator: $15
ENERGY STAR Clothes Washer: $30
Incentive Amount:
2015 Large RFP Program: Incentive Amount: Geothermal Heat Pump: $500 per ton Incentive Amount: PV 10 kW-DC or less: Upfront incentive of $16 per kW Incentive Amount: Dishwasher: $40 Incentive Amount: Air Conditioners: $100/unit (15-16 SEER) or $150/unit (above 16 SEER) Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heater. With home solar panels, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your home's carbon footprint, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid. Absolutely. The grid in Durango already uses a large share of renewable energy sources, and you may be able to sell your excess generated energy to your utility for additional cost savings. Generally speaking, your energy bills will decrease significantly after you install solar panels. This is because you're using the energy you generate for free rather than buying it from your power company. In Durango, the average amount someone can save is $1,390 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system when your payback period is done. Your payback period is the time to achieve an ROI on your solar panels. It will vary based on their rated capacity, the average sunlight in your area, and the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power. Durango has extremely high daily sunlight levels, so you could recoup your investment in as little as 9.8 years per 5 kW of rated capacity. The answer ultimately depends on your specific situation. You'll be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to 30% of the system's cost, as well as state or local incentives depending on where you are. As for insurance, you'll need to inform your insurance company about your new solar panels. Your premium may increase due to added property values, but you'll have peace of mind if a covered event happens to the system. Solar panels are becoming more relevant than ever for their low upkeep costs and high efficiency under a variety of conditions. Depending on how much sunlight your property receives, you may find they're the best performing source of renewable energy compared to others.
Determined through competitive bid. RFP released on March 3, 2016
Split System Air Conditioners: $100 - $150 per unit
Water Heater: $60/unit plus $60/unit for lifetime warranty
Geothermal Heat Pump Water Heater: $120
Air-Source Heat Pump Water Heater: $370
Electric Thermal Storage Unit Controlled by Timer: $16/kW
Thermal Slab: $12 per kW
Air Source Heat Pump: $300 - $450 per ton, $85/unit for through-the-wall mounted pumps
Refrigerator: $80
Freezer: $80
Washing Machine: $60-$80
Clothes Dryer: $30-$90
Dishwasher: $40
Irrigation Motor: $8 per HP
Variable Speed Drive Retrofit: $1,600-$6,800
LED Bulbs (500+ lumens): 50% of cost up to $8/lamp or fixture
LED Bulbs (<500 $4 50%
Yard Lights: 50% of cost up to $100
Tube LEDs: 50% of cost up to $8/ft
LED Strip, short tube, and bar lights: 50% of cost up to $8/foot
Commercial Lighting: Varies, contact utility
Weatherization: 50% of job cost
PV greater than 10 kW-DC: Performance-based incentive is paid every 6 months for 10 years, currently $1.oo per MWh
Check LPEA website for future REC values.
Contact LPEA for wind and hydro incentives
Refrigerator/Freezer: $60
Clothes Washer: $80
Clothes Dryer: $180
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: $60
Water Heater: $60-$700 plus $100 lifetime tank warranty
Residential LED Lamps: 50% of cost
Air Conditioners: $200-$300
Ground Source Heat Pump: $500-$1,000/ton
Air Source Heat Pump: varies, see program website
Air-Source Heat Pump: $350-$500/ton, $135 for terminal units
Clothes Dryer: $30
Clothes Washer: $30
Dishwasher: $20
ETS Heater: $30/kW
Geothermal Heat Pump: $550/ton
LED Bulbs: Up to $8/bulb
Refrigerator/Freezer: $30
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: $60
Thermal Slab Heater: $30/kW
Water Heaters: $55 - $350 Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Durango, CO
Solar Companies in Neighboring Cities
