Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated February 2024
Solar is one of the most easily accessible forms of renewable energy for Franklin Park homeowners. Transitioning to solar energy can reduce your monthly energy expenses and decrease your carbon output. Before you begin the process, you want to make sure you find a reputable installer. That’s why, after conducting thorough research on providers, we assembled a guide to the most dependable solar companies in Franklin Park. These installers consistently deliver excellent service.
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
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:
Adopting solar power lets homeowners cut utility bills while benefiting the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re evaluating if you want to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
Hiring a licensed solar installer is critical. This ensures that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. In Illinois, the state Commerce Commission licenses distributed generation energy contractors, including residential solar contractors.
Look at review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find out what previous customers say about local solar providers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s trustworthiness and customer service. Avoid companies lacking reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
To find a solar company that fits your budget, get free, detailed quotes from three to five providers. The quotes should list all costs as well as all solar equipment included. Comparing several quotes helps you identify the most cost-effective option.
Quality solar installations should have strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship warranty covers any installation defects (such as poor alignment, cracks in the panels, or poor wiring), while a performance guarantee ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong warranties demonstrate a company's confidence in its work.
Going solar can help reduce your electric bills over time. When evaluating the total price and value of solar panels, make sure to consider these factors.
In Franklin Park, solar panels cost an average of $3,760 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 6.4 kilowatts. The typical Franklin Park homeowner spends $16,818 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will take into account additional information reflecting your desired system's capacity, size, panel type, and required preliminary work. 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) system 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 PV, 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 your home's location and the kind of panels you plan to use. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Franklin Park, your best time to install solar panels is in the spring and fall.
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 Franklin Park amount to $904.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how short it takes to get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Franklin Park, meaning your payback period could last 18.6 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
Although solar energy is an ideal option for many, it might not be ideal for homeowners in wet, dark areas. In these cases, a contractor might recommend 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 lower your emissions and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.
The best type of residential solar panel depends on your specific needs and goals. For a typical home, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for homes in Franklin Park. However, if you have a limited budget, then you could thin-film or polycrystalline solar panels. When selecting a solar company, make sure to ask about the brand names and models of solar panels a company offers and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
