Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Solar energy is becoming increasingly popular for Fort Carson homeowners. A rooftop solar array can help you provide a dependable source of power, add value to your property, and decrease your carbon footprint. Going solar can help cut your utility bills and shrink your environmental impact. But you'll want to find a trustworthy installation company first. Luckily, we've done the research and created a guide to the best and most reputable solar installation companies in Fort Carson.
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
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:
Putting solar panels on your roof could lower your electricity payments while benefiting the planet by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when researching local solar installers are as follows.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This help guarantee that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. 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 TrustPilot, Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other review sites to see what past customers are saying about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a provider's reliability and customer service. Be wary of companies with few or mainly poor reviews.
To find a solar company that works with your budget, ask for free, detailed quotes from at least three providers. The quotes should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Comparing several quotes helps you identify the most cost-effective option.
High-quality solar installations should include robust workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues like poor alignment, poor wiring, or cracks in the panels. The output guarantee ensures an energy generation baseline. Strong warranties reflect a solar provider's faith in its installations.
Solar energy can help decrease your energy expenses over time. Be sure to weigh these aspects when determining the cost and value of solar panels.
In Fort Carson, solar panels cost an average of $3,980 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 5.0 kilowatts. The typical Fort Carson homeowner spends $13,979 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will consider additional information based on your desired system's panel type, capacity, required preliminary work, and size. In some cases, homeowners may prefer to lease 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:
Electric Dryers: $50
Natural Gas Furnace: $250
Natural Gas Water Heater: $50
Insulation & Air Sealing: 40% of job cost, up to $200
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: $50
Smart Thermostats: $50
LED lighting: in-store discounts
Irrigation Equipment: Up to $50
Solar Panels: $0.20 per AC Watt
Incentive Amount:
Air-Source Heat Pump: $250-$650
Heat Pump Ductless Mini Split: $300
Central A/C: $250-$550
Ground Source Heat Pumps: $1,500
Evaporative Cooler: $100-$1000
Heat Pump Water Heater: $500
Attic Insulation: $0.35/sq. ft.
Wall Insulation: $0.65/sq. ft.
Air Sealing/Duct Sealing: 50% of cost
Appliance Recycling: $50
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system can be used to power any household system or appliance that uses electricity. In the smallest case, you can use a solar water heater.
With home solar panels, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your home's carbon footprint, and be better prepared if there's an outage to the local grid.
It depends on where you live and the kind of panels you plan to use. Fort Carson can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the springtime to maximize your generation for the year.
Yes, you can use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In most parts of the country, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, which means you can reap the environmental benefits and savings that come from using solar energy without having to completely switch over.
Your payback period is the time to achieve an ROI on your solar panels. It will vary based on the average sunlight in your area, the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power, and their rated capacity. Fort Carson has extremely high daily sunlight levels, so you could recoup your investment in as little as 10.9 years per 5 kW of rated capacity.
The specific required maintenance steps will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. With any system, you should clean and inspect each panel once per season. Your solar contractor might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance on your behalf.
Yes, solar panels can still supply you with energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system can keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider that offers battery backup systems or emergency generators.
