Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Year after year, more Sterling residents use rooftop solar panels to add value to their property and lower their carbon footprint. Solar power can cut your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to choose a trustworthy solar installer. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and created a guide to the best and most reliable solar installation providers in Sterling.
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
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 deciding if a solar provider is a good fit for you, consider these key factors.
Make sure you hire a licensed solar installer. This help guarantee that the work is done properly using the most up-to-date installation methods. In Illinois, the state Commerce Commission licenses distributed generation energy contractors, including solar installers.
Look at review platforms such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), TrustPilot, and Google Reviews to find out what previous customers have to say about local solar providers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s trustworthiness and customer service. Be wary of companies with no reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
Contact 3–5 solar companies for free, detailed quotes. Quotes should clearly explain all costs and specify the exact solar components included. Comparing multiple quotes helps identify the best value based on your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with comprehensive workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation issues such as poor wiring, cracks in the panels, or poor alignment. The performance guarantee promises a specific energy output level. Strong guarantees indicate that a solar installer trusts its installations.
Installing solar panels can help decrease your electric bills over time. When evaluating the total price and value of solar panels, make sure to consider these factors.
In Sterling, solar panels cost an average of $3,760 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 6.5 kilowatts. The typical Sterling homeowner spends $17,039 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will take into account additional information based on your desired system's required preliminary work, panel type, capacity, 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
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 heating system for your water.
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 your home's location and the kind of panels you plan to use. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Sterling, your best time to get solar is in the spring and fall.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Sterling, meaning your payback period could last 18.8 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
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. Many solar contractors in the Sterling area offer multipoint maintenance plans to help you make the most of your panels and keep them healthy for as long as possible.
The answer ultimately depends on your specific situation. You'll be eligible for a federal tax credit of up to 30% of the system's cost, as well as state or local incentives depending on where you are. As for insurance, you'll need to inform your insurance company about your new solar panels. Your premium may increase due to added property values, but you'll have peace of mind if a covered event happens to the system.
