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 St. Marys homes. Solar power can reduce your energy costs and lower your carbon footprint. However, it's important to choose a reputable solar installer. That’s why we’ve analyzed the options and assembled a guide to the most trustworthy solar providers in St. Marys. These top providers consistently deliver high-quality and dependable services.
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
Services Offered
Reliable customer support
Informative resources
Free quotes
Clear pricing policy
Services Offered
Free quotes
Informative resources
Reliable customer support
Services Offered
Informative resources
Clear pricing policy
Reliable customer support
Free quotes
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 lower utility bills while benefiting the planet by reducing your carbon footprint using clean energy. If you’re deciding whether to go solar, consider these key factors for choosing an installer.
Confirm that your solar installer is properly licensed. This ensures that the work is done correctly using current installation best practices. Ohio may require a solar company to hold a state contractors' license, but only for commercial work. For residential work, cities can establish their own licensing or regulatory requirements.
Check TrustPilot, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Google Reviews, and other review sites to see what past customers are saying about local solar providers. Detailed reviews can help you evaluate a provider's integrity and customer service. Stay away from companies with few or mainly poor reviews.
To find a solar installer that fits your budget, get free, detailed quotes from three to five providers. The quotes should outline all costs and list the solar equipment included. Comparing several quotes helps you identify the option that best fits your budget.
Top-notch solar installations should come with strong workmanship and performance guarantees. A workmanship guarantee covers installation defects, such as poor wiring, poor alignment, or cracks in the panels. A performance warranty guarantees a minimum energy output. Comprehensive warranties indicate that a solar company believes in its work.
Solar power can help reduce your electricity costs in the long run. When evaluating solar panel's cost and value, be sure to factor in these considerations.
In St. Marys, solar panels cost an average of $3,410 per kilowatt, with an average system size of 7.6 kilowatts. The typical St. Marys homeowner spends $18,045 on their solar array after federal tax refunds. An estimate from a local provider will factor in additional information reflecting your desired system's required preliminary work, panel type, size, and capacity. In some cases, homeowners may prefer to lease solar panels to reduce upfront costs.
Incentive Type: PACE Financing
Incentive Amount:
Low-interest, 30-year loan
Incentive Amount:
Heating & Cooling
Air Conditioning: $100 - $150, varies by efficiency and equipment application
Air Source Heat Pump: $150 - $250, varies by efficiency and equipment application
Geothermal Heat Pump: $800 - $1,000, varies by efficiency and equipment application
Heat Pump Water Heaters: $400
Airlfow/Climate Control
WiFi Thermostat: $20-$30
Smart Thermostat: $75
Air Insulation & Sealing: Up to $650, must be through approved contractors
Appliance Recycling: $50
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 heating system.
There are many benefits to home solar energy. You can save money, raise your property values, and reduce emissions. With the right storage equipment, solar panels can also offer you additional energy security and offer some protection from power outages.
It depends on your home's location and the kind of panels you plan to use. Since there's a moderate amount of snowfall in St. Marys, your best time to get solar 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 St. Marys amount to $1,177.
You might be pleasantly surprised at how quickly you can get a return on investment from your solar panels. The sun shines frequently in St. Marys, meaning your payback period could last 15.3 years per 5 kW of capacity on the high end.
Absolutely. Solar panels exist independently from the power grid in St. Marys and will continue to generate power even if the grid is having problems. Bear in mind, however, that a solar system without a storage system cannot keep you running through a nighttime outage. Your contractor can discuss some economical options to keep your home's power access reliable through the worst conditions, including battery backups or an emergency generator.
Regarding taxes, the federal government offers a tax credit of up to 30% of the panels' cost. Depending on where you live, you could also claim or apply for state or property tax incentives. Regarding insurance, your monthly premium may be slightly higher because solar panels increase your property's value. You should talk with your accountant or insurance agent for information specific to your case.
