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 Coldwater homeowners install rooftop solar panels to provide a dependable source of power and lower their carbon footprint. 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 reputable installer. Luckily, we’ve analyzed local solar installers and compiled a guide to the best solar companies in Coldwater. These trusted providers are smart choices homeowners can depend on.
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Prompt service delivery
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Free quotes
Family-operated business
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Prompt service delivery
Clear pricing policy
Free quotes
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Informative resources
Free quotes
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Free quotes
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:
Installing solar panels can reduce your electricity costs and help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint. When evaluating if a solar provider is a good fit for you, consider these key factors.
Verify that your solar installer is properly licensed. This helps ensure that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. Michigan law has a de facto licensing requirement for solar photovoltaic installers. In other words, while solar contractors technically don't need a license by the letter of the law, workers dealing with electrical wiring jobs do need a license. Solar thermal systems must be installed by a licensed mechanical contractor.
Look at review platforms such as Google Reviews, TrustPilot, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find out what previous customers say about local solar providers. Reviews can give you an idea of a company’s trustworthiness and customer service. Avoid companies with no reviews or with predominantly negative feedback.
To find a solar company that fits your budget, ask for free, detailed quotes from 3–5 providers. The quotes should list all costs as well as all solar equipment included. Looking at several quotes helps you identify the most cost-effective option.
Quality solar installations should have comprehensive workmanship and performance guarantees. The workmanship guarantee covers any installation issues such as cracks in the panels, poor wiring, or poor alignment. The performance guarantee ensures a specific energy output level. Strong guarantees indicate that a solar installer trusts its installations.
Switching to solar power can help lower your energy expenses. Be sure to consider these aspects when judging the cost and value of solar panels.
Coldwater homeowners typically spend about $17,237 on home solar systems after federal tax refunds. Solar arrays in Coldwater cost approximately $4,060 per kilowatt, with the average residential solar system being 6.1 kilowatts. A personalized estimate from a local solar provider will include costs for labor, preliminary work, and permit fees, and will account for your system's panel type, capacity, and size. Some homeowners prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Amount:
Appliances
Washing Machine: $25 - $50
WiFi Enabled Thermostat: $50 - $100
Room Air Conditioner: $20
Dehumidifier: $20
Pool Pump: $350
Refrigetor/Freezer Recyclilng: $50
Room Air Conditioner/Dehumidifier Recycling: $15
Heating & Cooling
Split System Central AC: $50 - $500
Air Source Heat Pump: $150 - $250
Ground Source Heat Pump: $200 - $300
Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pump: $350
ECM Motor: $50
Thermostat: $10 - $100
Central AC Tune-Up: $50
Windows & Insulation
Roof Insulation: $50 - $200
Wall Insulation: $50 - $125
Crawlspace Insulation: $10 - $50
Rim Joist Insulation: $20 - $50
Window Replacement: $15/window
Patio Door Replacement: $40/door
Lighting
Varies
A solar photovoltaic (PV) system can generate power to run any electric system or appliance in your home. If you don't want to use solar power for your entire home, you can install a solar water heating system.
With home solar PV, you can recoup the cost of the system over time, lower your property's emissions, 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. Coldwater can experience long, hard winters, so we recommend installing your system in the spring months to maximize your generation for the year.
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 Coldwater, the average amount someone can save is $1,257 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.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in Coldwater, meaning your payback period could last 13.7 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
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 boost 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.
Some frequently-used types of home solar panels in Coldwater include monocrystalline, polycrystalline and thin-film. Monocrystalline panels are balanced and efficient, while thin-film and polycrystalline panels pair good performance with greater upfront value. Ask your local provider about the types of solar panels they work with.
Solar panels are gaining wider adoption 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.
