Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
A rooftop solar array could give you a renewable power source that will pay for itself in time. Making the switch to solar power can help cut your utility bills and lower your environmental impact. But you'll want to find a trustworthy installation company first. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and assembled a guide to the best and most trustworthy solar installation companies in Elmhurst.
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
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 helps ensure that the work is done properly using the most up-to-date installation methods. In Illinois, the state Commerce Commission regulates distributed generation energy contractors, including solar installers.
Check TrustPilot, Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and other review sites to see what past customers have to say about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a provider's integrity and customer service. Stay away from providers with few or mainly poor reviews.
Contact at least three solar companies for free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly explain all costs and specify the exact solar components included. By comparing multiple quotes, you can identify the most cost-effective option for you.
High-quality solar installations should have robust workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues like cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment. The output guarantee ensures an energy generation baseline. Strong warranties reflect a solar provider's confidence in its installations.
Solar power can help lower your electricity costs long-term. When weighing solar panel's cost and value, be sure to factor in these considerations.
In Elmhurst, solar panels cost an average of $3,760 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 6.5 kilowatts. The typical Elmhurst homeowner spends $17,005 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will factor in additional information based on your desired system's panel type, capacity, required preliminary work, and size. In some cases, homeowners may prefer leasing 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
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) array can be used to power any household appliance or system that uses electricity. In the simplest case, you can use a solar water heater.
With home solar PV, you can save money on your energy bill, lower your property's emissions, and gain additional energy independence.
Yes, you can use home solar energy alongside conventional power sources. In many areas, solar panels are designed to supplement your existing energy sources, which means you can reap the savings and environmental benefits that come from using solar energy without having to completely switch over.
Your installer can give you an estimate of what your energy bills will look like after you install solar panels. Generally, your energy bills will decrease significantly because you'll be using energy from the sun for free, instead of buying energy from the utility company. The average annual savings in Elmhurst amount to $904.
Your payback period is the time to achieve an ROI on your solar panels. It will vary based on their rated capacity, the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power, and the average sunlight in your area. Elmhurst gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 18.8 years per 5 kW of capacity.
The type of solar panels you have will have specific maintenance steps to follow. Regardless of type, you should clean your panels regularly and inspect them for damage. A majority of solar contractors in the Elmhurst area offer low-cost maintenance plans to help you make the most of your panels and keep them healthy for as long as possible.
Regarding taxes, the federal government offers a tax credit of up to 30% of the panels' cost. Depending on where you live, you could also claim or apply for state or property tax incentives. Regarding insurance, your monthly premium may be slightly higher because solar panels increase your property's value. You should speak with your accountant or insurance agent for information specific to your case.
Solar panels are gaining wider adoption for their high efficiency and low maintenance costs. Depending on how much sunlight your property receives, you may find they're the best performing source of renewable energy compared to others.
