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 Thornton homeowners. A rooftop solar array can help you add value to your property, provide a dependable source of power, and decrease your carbon footprint. Making the switch to solar power can help cut your utility bills and reduce your environmental impact. But you'll want to find a trustworthy installation company first. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and created a guide to the best and most dependable solar installation providers in Thornton.
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
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 looking at local solar installers are as follows.
Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. This ensures that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. While electricians and plumbers in Colorado have state-issued licenses from the Colorado Electrical Board or Colorado State Plumbing Board, counties and cities can issue their own solar professional if they choose.
Check review sites like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and TrustPilot 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 barely any reviews or mostly negative ones.
Get free, detailed quotes from three to five solar companies. A quote should list all costs and identify the exact solar parts included. Comparing several quotes can help you find the option that best fits your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty addresses any installation defects (such as poor wiring, cracks in the panels, or poor alignment), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong guarantees demonstrate a company's confidence in its work.
Switching to solar power can help decrease your energy expenses over time. Be sure to consider these aspects when determining the cost and value of solar panels.
The average Thornton homeowner will spend around $14,488 on a home solar system after federal tax refunds. Solar arrays in Thornton cost approximately $3,980 per kilowatt, with an average size of 5.2 kilowatts. A personalized estimate from a local solar provider will include costs for permit fees, preliminary work, and labor, and will account for your system's size, capacity, and panel type. Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels in order 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:
CFL Recycling: FREE
New Energy Star Refrigerator/Freezer: $30
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: $75
New Energy Star Clothes Washer: $40
New Energy Star Dishwasher: $20
New Electric Thermal Storage Units (on automated Time-of-Day control panel): $4-$16/kW
New Electric Thermal Slab (on automated Time-of-Day control panel): $4-12/kW
Water Heaters: $20-$400
Terminal Unit for Heat Pump A/C Units: $75-$85/Unit
Heat Pumps: $100-$450/ton
Geothermal Heat Pumps: $200-$500/ton
Air Conditioners: $100-$150
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: A solar photovoltaic (PV) array can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. A more specific example is installing a solar water heating system. With home solar energy, 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. It depends on your home's location and what type of panels you're installing. Thornton can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the spring months to maximize your generation for the year. Yes, you can use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In many areas, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, so you can reap the environmental benefits and savings that come from using solar energy without having to completely switch over. You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. In perennially-sunny Thornton, you could make enough from your solar panels to recoup your investment in 13.4 years per 5 kW of rated capacity at maximum. The specific types of maintenance you need will depend on the type of panels you're using. Regardless of type, you should inspect your panels for damage and clean them regularly. Many solar contractors in the Thornton area offer comprehensive maintenance plans to help you keep your panels healthy and make the most of your system. Although solar energy is a great option for many, it might not be ideal for homeowners in wet, dark areas. In these cases, you could consider other forms of renewable energy, such as wind or geothermal power, as a primary source. It is also important to speak to a qualified installer to determine if their solar system is compatible with the climate and environment of your area. Even if you choose a different form of renewable energy altogether, you'll still help the environment and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs. Yes, solar panels will still be able to provide you with energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system is able to keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider that offers battery backup systems or emergency generators.
Determined through competitive bid. RFP released on March 3, 2016 Frequently Asked Questions About Solar in Thornton, CO
Solar Companies in Neighboring Cities
