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 is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Ela homeowners. Solar power can cut your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to choose a reputable solar installer. That’s why we’ve researched the options and assembled a guide to the most trustworthy solar installation companies in Ela. These top installers consistently deliver high-quality and dependable services.
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
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:
Installing solar panels can reduce your electricity costs and benefit the planet by reducing your carbon footprint. When determining whether a solar provider is the best option for you, consider these key factors.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This ensures that the work is done properly using current best installation practices. In Illinois, the state Commerce Commission regulates distributed generation energy contractors, including residential solar contractors.
Check the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and other review sites to see what past customers are saying about local solar providers. Detailed reviews on these platforms can help you assess a provider's integrity and customer service. Be wary of companies with few or mainly poor reviews.
Contact three to five solar companies to receive free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly explain all costs and list the exact solar components included. Comparing multiple quotes helps identify the most cost-effective option for you.
Quality solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance warranties. A workmanship warranty addresses any installation defects (such as cracks in the panels, poor alignment, or poor wiring), while a performance guarantee ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong warranties demonstrate a company's confidence in its work.
Solar panels can help reduce your electricity costs over time. When considering solar panel's cost and value, be sure to weigh these considerations.
In Ela, solar panels cost an average of $3,760 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 6.3 kilowatts. The typical Ela homeowner spends $16,643 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will factor in additional information reflecting your desired system's panel type, required preliminary work, size, and capacity. In some cases, homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
Varies
Incentive Amount:
Appliances
Air Purifier: $50
Clothes Washer: $50
Dehumidifier: $50
Electric Clothes Dryer: $50
Freezer: $50
Refrigerator: $50
Room Air Conditioner: $25
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: Free pickup and $50, plus an additional $10 if recycling a room A/C at the same time
Heating & Cooling
Air Source Heat Pump: $400 - $600
Central A/C: $300 - $600
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: $400
Geothermal Heat Pump: Up to $6,000/home
Furnace Blower Motor (ECM): $50 - $100
Miscellaneous
Advanced Power Strip: $10
Air Sealing: Up to $400/home
Attic Insulation: Up to $300/home
Duct Sealing: Up to $500/home
Lighting: In-store discounts, varies
Pool Pump: $275
Smart Thermostat: $100
Wall Insulation: Up to $400/home
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric appliance or system in your home. If you don't want to use solar power for your entire home, you can install a solar heating system for your water.
With home solar energy, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your property's emissions, and gain additional energy independence.
It depends on where you live and the kind of panels you plan to use. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Ela, your best time to get solar is in the spring and fall.
Yes. Ela uses an even mixture of solar energy and conventional power sources. While your panels at home will lower your home's emissions and provide cost savings, you'll still benefit from access to the local grid.
Your payback period is the time to earn a net profit from your solar panels. It will vary based on the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power, their rated capacity, and the average sunlight in your area. Ela gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 18.4 years per 5 kW of capacity.
The maintenance you'll need to do will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. With any system, you should clean and inspect each panel every three months. Your solar installer might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance for you.
Absolutely. Solar panels are independent of the Ela grid and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Keep in mind, however, that a solar system without a storage system cannot keep you running through a nighttime outage. Your contractor can discuss some economical options to keep your home's power access reliable through the worst conditions, including battery backups or an emergency generator.
The answer will depend on your specific needs and goals. For a typical home, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for Ela homes. However, if you have a limited budget, then you could polycrystalline or thin-film solar panels. When you're gathering estimates, make sure to ask about the brand names and models of solar panels a contractor offers and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
