Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
Expert Advice On Improving Your Home
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Written By David Cusick
Last Updated April 2024
A new solar energy system will provide you with a renewable power source that will pay for itself in time. Switching to solar energy can help you save money and lower your carbon footprint, but you want to make sure you find a qualified installer. Luckily, we’ve analyzed local solar installers and compiled a guide to the best solar companies in Oxford. These trusted providers are smart choices homeowners can depend on.
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Family-operated business
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 helping the environment 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.
Make sure you hire a licensed solar installer. This helps ensure that the work is done properly using current best installation practices. Massachusetts requires new solar photovoltaic systems in the Commonwealth to be installed by a licensed electrician and new solar water heaters to be installed by a construction supervisor.
Check review sites like Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and TrustPilot to see feedback from past customers on local solar companies. Detailed reviews can help you assess a company's dependability 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 explain all costs and list the solar equipment included. Reviewing multiple quotes helps you find the option that aligns with your budget.
High-quality solar installations should have robust workmanship and performance warranties. The workmanship warranty covers any installation issues like poor alignment, poor wiring, or cracks in the panels. The output warranty guarantees an energy generation baseline. Strong warranties reflect a solar provider's confidence in its installations.
Solar energy can help reduce your electric bills over time. When considering the total price and value of solar panels, make sure to consider these factors.
In Oxford, solar panels cost an average of $4,060 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 4.5 kilowatts. The typical Oxford homeowner spends $12,726 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, required preliminary work, panel type, and size. In some cases, homeowners may prefer leasing solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Amount:
Solar energy systems used for heating or cooling: out-of-pocket expenditures by the owner for the components and labor
Wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, solar thermal, solar PV, and other solar energy systems: the assessed value of the system
Incentive Type: Personal Tax Credit
Incentive Amount:
15%
Incentive Type: Industry Recruitment/Support
Incentive Amount:
100% deduction
Incentive Amount:
Appliances
Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling: $125
Electric Clothes Dryers: $50
Clothes Washer: $350
Dehumidifiers: $30
Room Air Purifiers: $40
Room Air Conditioner: $40
Heating & Cooling
Oil Heating System: Up to $800
Propane Heating Equipment: Up to $2,300
Oil Water Heater: Up to $400
Propane Water Heater: Up to $800
Heat Pump Water Heater: Up to $600
Central AC/Heat Pump: Up to $250/ton
Mini-Split Heat Pump: Up to $250/ton
Programmable Thermostats: Up to $25
WiFi Thermostat: Up to $100
Solar Domestic Hot Water heater: $500 - $1,500
Home Electronics
Advanced Power Strips: Varies
Home Insulation
Limited Time Enhanced Incentive: 75%
Year-Round Tenant Incentive: 100%
Enhanced Residential Program: 100%
Lighting
LEDs: Varies
Home Energy Assessment: Free
Incentive Amount:
Standard Residential:
Pellet Stove: $1,000 - $1,750
Catalytic Woodstove: $750 - $1,250
Non-Catalytic Woodstove: $500-$1,250
Fully Automated Wood Stove: $1,500 - $1,750
Low-Income Residential:
Pellet Stove: $2,500 - $3,250
Catalytic Woodstove: $2,250 - $2,750
Non-Catalytic Woodstove: $2,000-$2,750
Fully Automated Wood Stove: $2,750 - $3,250
Incentive Type: PACE Financing
Incentive Amount:
Financing amount locally determined; 20-year financing term
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 water heating system.
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.
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 Oxford amount to $1,037.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Oxford, meaning your payback period could last 12.3 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
Your recommended maintenance will vary based on the type of solar panels you have. At a minimum, you should clean and inspect each panel every three months. Your solar energy company might offer comprehensive plans where they'll do the maintenance for you.
While solar energy might not be the best performing choice for some in wet or dark areas, the latest generation of equipment and energy storage systems could increase your property's solar viability enough to achieve a return on investment. A contractor could also recommend a different primary source of renewable energy like wind or geothermal to boost your generation.
Yes, solar panels will still be able to generate energy during a grid outage. To ensure that your solar system will keep working during a power outage, make sure to choose a quality solar provider that offers battery backup systems or emergency generators.
