Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated June 2024
A solar panel array will provide you with a renewable power source that will pay for itself in time. Making the transition to solar energy can allow you to save money and shrink your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a trustworthy installer. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and compiled a guide to the best and most reputable solar installation companies in Thornton.
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
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 reduce 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.
It's important to hire a licensed solar installer. This help guarantee that the work is done correctly using current best installation practices. In Illinois, the state Commerce Commission issues licenses to distributed generation energy contractors, including solar contractors.
Check review sites like TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) 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.
Call at least three solar companies for free, itemized quotes. These quotes should outline all costs and specify the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps identify the option that aligns with your budget.
Quality solar installations should come with strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship warranty addresses any installation defects (such as cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment), while a performance guarantee ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong warranties demonstrate a company's confidence in its work.
Installing solar panels can help lower your electric bills over time. When weighing the total price and value of solar panels, be sure to consider these factors.
Thornton homeowners typically spend about $16,818 on home solar systems after federal tax refunds. Solar arrays in Thornton cost roughly $3,760 per kilowatt, with the average residential solar system being 6.4 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 capacity, panel type, and size. Some homeowners 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
Generally speaking, a solar photovoltaic (PV) system 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 panels, 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 where you live and what type of panels you're installing. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Thornton, 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 Thornton amount to $904.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Thornton, meaning your payback period could last 18.6 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
The answer depends on your specific needs and goals. For a typical home, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for houses in Thornton. However, if lowering cost is your top priority, then you may want to consider polycrystalline or thin-film solar panels. When selecting a solar company, make sure to ask about the different types of solar panels an installer offers and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Solar panels are becoming more relevant than ever 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.
