Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
Every year, more Cedar Falls residents turn to rooftop solar panels to add value to their property and provide a dependable source of power. Adopting solar energy can reduce your monthly energy expenses and decrease your carbon output. Before you get started, you want to make sure you find a trustworthy installer. Luckily, we've reviewed the options and assembled a guide to the best and most reliable solar installation companies in Cedar Falls.
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Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
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 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 ensures that the work is done properly using current installation best practices. In Iowa, anyone making at least $2,000 per year from non-DIY solar or electrical work is a contractor and must pursue licensure from the Division of Labor. To install solar photovoltaic systems, a company will need an journeyman or electrical contractor license.
Check review sites like Google Reviews, TrustPilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see customer feedback about local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a company's dependability and level of service. Use caution with installers that have no reviews or mostly negative ones.
Get free, detailed quotes from three to five solar companies. A quote should list all costs and identify the exact solar parts included. Comparing several quotes can help you find the most cost-effective option.
High-quality solar installations should come with robust workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation issues like poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels. The output warranty ensures an energy generation baseline. Strong guarantees reflect a solar provider's faith in its installations.
Solar energy can help decrease your electric bills over time. When considering the total price and value of solar panels, make sure to consider these factors.
In Cedar Falls, solar panels cost an average of $4,010 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 9.7 kilowatts. The typical Cedar Falls homeowner spends $27,365 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will factor in additional information reflecting your desired system's capacity, size, required preliminary work, and panel type. In some cases, homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Type: Property Tax Incentive
Incentive Amount:
100% of value added by renewable system
Incentive Amount:
Advanced Power Strips: up to $20
Air Source Heat Pump: $300-$800 for existing homes, $180-$480 for new homes
Appliance Recycling: up to $50
Central A/C: $150-$600 for existing homes, $90-$360 for new homes
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: Varies
Electric Heat Pump Water Heater: $300-$350 for existing homes, $180-$210 for new homes
Electric HVAC System Tune-Up: up to $50
Gas Furnace: $180 for existing homes, $80 for new homes
Geothermal Heat Pump: $1,320-$1,750 for existing homes, $790-$1,050 for new homes
Learning Thermostat: $100 for existing homes, $60 for new homes
LED Light Bulbs: In-Store Rebates
Online Home Energy Assessment: FREE
Room Air Purifier: up to $30
Variable Speed Pool Pumps: up to $220
Incentive Amount:
Clothes Washers: $100
Clothes Dryers: $50-$100
Water Heater (Tank or Tankless): $300
Heat Pump Water Heater: $400
Refrigerator/Freezer Recycling: $50
Window A/C Recycling: $25
LED Bulbs: Instant in-store rebate
LED Lighting Fixture: 50% of cost
Natural Gas Boiler: up to $400
Natural Gas Furnace with Variable Speed Blower Motor: Up to $200
Central A/C: Up to $350
Ground-Source Heat Pumps: Up to $300/ton of new ground loop plus up to $300/ton of heating capacity installed
Air-Source Heat Pumps: $600
Ductless Mini Split Systems: up to $100/ton cooling
Duct Work Modifications: 30-75% of cost
Programmable Thermostat: $50
Attic and Sealing Insulation: 60% of cost
Sidewall Insulation: 60% of cost
Foundation Insulation: 60% of cost
Duct Insulation: 60% of cost
Rim/Band Joist Insulation: 60% of cost
Air Sealing, Caulking, and Weather-Stripping: 60% of cost
Doors: $25-$75
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. More specifically, you can install a solar water heating system.
There are a number of benefits to home solar energy. You can raise your property values, save money, and reduce emissions. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also give you additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
Generally speaking, your energy bills will decrease significantly 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 Cedar Falls, the average amount someone can save is $1,788 per year. With net metering programs offered by many utilities, you could ultimately make a profit from your system once the payback period passes.
Your payback period is the time to earn a net profit from your solar panels. It will vary based on the rate your utility charges per kilowatt of power, their rated capacity, and the average sunlight in your area. Cedar Falls gets quite a bit of sunlight per day, so an average payback period could last up to 15.3 years per 5 kW of capacity.
The specific types of maintenance you need will depend on the type of panels you're using. Regardless of type, you should clean your panels regularly and inspect them for damage. A majority of solar contractors in the Cedar Falls area offer multipoint maintenance plans to help you make the most of your panels and keep them healthy for as long as possible.
While solar energy is a valuable 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 help the environment and could still qualify for distributed generation or other money-saving programs.
