When you decide to look into a solar power system in Frederick, before you commit to anything formal, you’re likely going to have a series of conversations with the installer to figure out exactly what you want out of each other. It’s important for you to make sure that you use this time as effectively as possible. Ideally, before you even start talking about quotes and other offerings, you should have an idea about the service they think is best for you, as well as confidence that they are a trustworthy and transparent company. Here are the questions that will take you there.

Starter Questions For A Solar Company In Arvada

For one thing, it’s essential that any business you turn to to get solar panels in Arvada installed has the proper licensing and insurance for states they do business in. Make sure you ask about this and get proof of any claims that are made. For example, if you’re given a license number, be sure to actually follow up on it in order to see their proper credentials. You should also see if they are registered with any regulatory bodies or professional organizations in the solar industry. These will allow you to learn more about them and have recourse if something goes wrong in the installation. You should also figure out exactly what type of service you are getting. Is each installation you purchased designed and installed in-house, or are sub-contractors involved? If there are sub-contractors, you need to make sure they have insurance and licensing as well.

Some of these questions are more revolving around the expertise and experience of the company. Everyone wants to work with contractors that have experience in what they are doing, and setting up a solar power system in Frederick is no different. There are a few things you can do here in order to crystallize your understanding of what’s going on. Ask about how long they have been in business, and whether they are local or work in multiple states. 

These are general questions, but sometimes, you want to get more specific. For example, can they supply proper references? You don’t just want general references but references from people who have had service needs after installation, so you can verify their post-purchase support. In addition, have they worked with your utility company before?

Because a new system can do so much for your home, it’s a proper long-term investment. As a result, you want to ask long-term questions. For example, if you have a problem with your system, what’s the line of contact, and how can you know your warranty will be serviced quickly? Because a warranty will likely cover a large part of the 25-35 year lifespan of your average installation, it’s important that you understand if said warranty is cut into different parts for system components. You should also ask whether or not when you get a part replaced, if shipping and labor get covered. One other final question to ask is if the roof is covered in the warranty. If you need roof repair, how is removing/replacing any panels going to be handled? 

More Things To Ask A Solar Company In Firestone

The above examples are more umbrella questions that you should address when it comes to your installation. However, there are a few more pointed options that can provide you greater insight into the type of provider you are working with. 

For one thing, consider asking your installer if they have a solar system on their own roof. While this is a personal choice for them, it’s worth asking because if they don’t have solar on their own roof, they may not be a great resource to showcase the benefits. If they do use it, you can start getting more insight on the subject.

Another thing worth asking about early in the process is finding the best size for the most savings with your home’s energy bill. On paper, this may sound simple, but there are a lot of things that go into finding the optimal size. To answer this question, your installer will need to understand how you use energy in your home, your roof angle, and what utility you work with/their rates. All of these contribute to a final financial forecast for your installation. If an installer says they have a one-size-fits-all strategy, you should stay away. Getting a suggestion or estimate should be an involved and personalized process for your home.

Going back to the topic of the roof, you should ask if your contractor is willing to do a proper detailed inspection of it. This is important because in order for solar panels in Arvada to be installed safely, you need to have a roof properly equipped and stable enough for the job. If you have an old roof in poor condition, you may need to replace it outright before getting a system installed. One side note with the roof is that when racks are installed (the only component actually in contact with your roof), they’re going to drill holes to do it. Be sure to learn what materials/equipment gets used here so you don’t end up with leaks. 

We mentioned before the importance of a warranty in case you need repairs. However, that’s not the only issue that you may have. Some contractors promise that your system will meet a certain threshold when it comes to energy produced each year. However, you need to have a plan in place on what to ask if the system efficiency doesn’t meet what you expect. Some providers add extra panels to meet the threshold at no charge. Others will reimburse you. Make sure there is a policy in place so you are properly covered for every possibility.