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 Wauconda homeowners. Going solar can help cut your utility bills and lower your environmental impact. But you'll want to find a qualified installation company first. Luckily, we’ve conducted comprehensive research local solar installers and put together a guide to the best solar companies in Wauconda. These trusted providers are smart choices homeowners can depend on.
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
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:
Putting solar panels on your roof could cut your electricity payments while helping the environment by reducing your carbon footprint through renewable energy use. Key considerations when researching local solar installers are as follows.
Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This ensures that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. In Illinois, the state Commerce Commission issues licenses to distributed generation energy contractors, including solar contractors.
Check TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and other review sites to see what past customers have to say about local solar installers. Detailed reviews on these platforms can help you evaluate a provider's integrity and customer service. Avoid companies with few or mainly poor reviews.
Get free, detailed quotes from three to five solar companies. A quote should list all costs and identify the exact solar parts included. Looking at several quotes can help you find the best value for your budget.
Quality solar installations should include strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship guarantee addresses any installation defects (such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels), while a performance warranty ensures a certain level of energy production. Strong guarantees show that a company is confident in its work.
Solar energy is great for helping you lower electricity bills over time. Make sure you consider these aspects when considering the final cost and value of solar panels.
Wauconda homeowners typically spend about $16,643 on home solar systems after federal tax refunds. Solar arrays in Wauconda cost approximately $3,760 per kilowatt, with an average size of 6.3 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 size, capacity, and panel type. 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
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system 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.
There are a number of benefits to home solar energy. You can reduce emissions, raise your property values, and save money. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also provide you with additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on where you live and the kind of panels you plan to use. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in Wauconda, your best time to install solar panels is in the spring and fall.
Generally speaking, your energy bills will significantly decrease after you install solar panels. This is because you're using the energy you generate for free rather than buying it from your power company. In Wauconda, the average amount someone can save is $904 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system when your payback period is done.
Your payback period is the time to earn a net profit from your solar panels. It will vary based on the average sunlight in your area, the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power, and their rated capacity. Wauconda 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 best type of residential solar panel will depend on your specific needs and goals. In most cases, monocrystalline solar panels are the most efficient for houses in Wauconda. However, if you're looking at a more frugal option, then you may want to consider thin-film or polycrystalline solar panels. When you're choosing a contractor, make sure to ask about the types of solar panels a contractor offers and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Solar panels are becoming more popular for their low upkeep costs and high efficiency under a variety of conditions. Depending on how much sunlight your property receives, you may find they're the best performing source of renewable energy compared to others.
