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Alex Hawkins
WriterAlex Hawkins is a writer for USA TODAY Homefront. He has worked on consumer surveys with over 5,000 homeowners, conducted in-depth interviews with solar and windows industry experts and has experienced ride-alongs with professional window installers. His work has also been featured on This Old House, MarketWatch and Architectural Digest. Alex has a Masters in English language and literature from Texas Tech University but now lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. In his free time, Alex explores the Smoky Mountains or publishes video essays and book reviews on his YouTube channel.
Recent Stories
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Carrier gets our vote for the best available furnace brand based on our research into several top providers. Carrier offers some of the most energy-efficient heating systems with quiet operation and variable-speed blowers. Lennox is a close second for its high efficiency ratings. For homeowners on a budget, Bryant offers some of the most competitively…
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We rated Tesla Energy 3.4 out of 5 stars based on our proprietary review standards, which doesn’t quite make our top five best solar companies. We like Tesla for its cutting-edge panel system design and Tesla Powerwall battery, which has become the industry standard. Tesla falls short with less robust warranty coverage than competitors we’ve…
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ADT Solar (formerly known as Sunpro Solar) offers a 25-year warranty for its panels, performance, workmanship and microinverters, making it an investment that will give you peace of mind. While the industry average panel warranty is 25 years, most companies only offer five- or 10-year warranties for other system aspects. Customer reviews applaud ADT’s 24/7…
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Momentum Solar has provided residential solar energy systems for 15 years but offers a limited service selection compared to our picks for the top solar companies. For example, Momentum only offers Enpower Smart Switch solar battery installation in select states, which automatically detects power outages and switches on your power source for you, and it…
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Elevation stands out for its extensive solar service catalog and in-house installation crews. With industry-standard warranties and full-ownership payment methods, Elevation’s service selection can fulfill your solar needs for an affordable price. Although Elevation has some reports of delays and scheduling difficulties, the company appears responsive to reviews and extends help for complaints. We don’t…
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Ordering the right-size furnace is crucial for your home’s day-to-day function and performance. If you get the wrong furnace size, you could deal with increased energy bills, costly repairs or the furnace shutting off when you need it most. To get the perfect fit, you must determine the required Btu output. Btu (British thermal units)…
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Professional HVAC technicians are best equipped to calculate your air conditioning (AC) system size requirement via a Manual J or load calculation. But you can get an idea of what size cooling system you need by considering your home’s square footage and layout. Choosing an appropriately sized air conditioner (AC) for your space is the…
![two solar panel workers installing a panel on a roof](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/20214353/AdobeStock_645201420-600x400.jpeg)
Trinity Solar features some of the best customer support tools we’ve encountered in our research. Past customers comment on its quality service, and it only works with certified installers. Although its customer support and personable staff help you once you contact the company, Trinity’s online presence is vague compared to other top solar providers. Its…
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Palmetto Solar is an excellent option for going solar if you view your solar panel system as an investment and desire financial flexibility. The company provides some of the most comprehensive active monitoring and ongoing protection we’ve seen from any of the providers we ranked as the best solar companies. Unfortunately, Palmetto locks most of…
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Semper Solaris is a younger solar installation company founded in 2012. While a solar installer’s age doesn’t always equate to poor quality or service, our research revealed that the company has more of a mixed reputation with customers than the best solar companies. On one hand, Semper Solaris features glowing customer feedback about the attitude…
![Residential building air conditioning units](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/14210716/AdobeStock_85025341-600x400.jpeg)
Carrier is the best air conditioner (AC) brand on our list of the top overall AC brands. Carrier offers highly energy-efficient AC options with low decibel ratings, making them ideal for most residential applications. Lennox is a close second — it offers the best warranties on its products, and along with Carrier, its ACs have…
![solar panels on roof](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/15022318/AdobeStock_302968486-600x338.jpeg)
Venture Solar, founded in 2015, is a relatively new player in the solar industry. The company stands out from some other competitors we’ve reviewed in terms of providing quality solar products with a solid installation team and financing options. Venture Solar uses products from reputable brands, such as Tesla and SunPower, and it offers ongoing…
![Close-up view on solar power panel](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/14203052/AdobeStock_481635221-600x400.jpeg)
Blue Raven Solar is worth considering if you can’t afford the high upfront cost of a new solar system installation. The company offers its BluePower Plus+ loan option through an in-house financing department and uses some of the highest-performing solar panels on the market, Maxeon. These benefits help you get the most out of your…
![Solar panels on the roof of a home](https://d2hal1rtfsjwuv.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/14203936/AdobeStock_24886337-600x402.jpeg)
SunPower is the best choice for a solar company if you want the most optimized and high-performance solar panel system possible. SunPower has a close relationship with Maxeon, which used to be SunPower’s sister company but now operates independently. This relationship allows SunPower to provide some of the most efficient solar panels on the market. …
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Sunrun, a veteran in the solar industry, is a solid choice if you’re primarily interested in a solar lease. The company offers two solar leasing plans, which is unique compared to most solar installers’ standard leasing plans. The company also offers worthwhile perks regarding its leasing plans, but its benefits for full purchases and loans…
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Trinity Solar is our first choice for solar installations. It provides top-notch customer support networks with high-quality solar panel installations. Elevation is also among the best solar companies, with an impressive solar services catalog and comprehensive website features. If upfront cost isn’t your primary factor, you might favor SunPower for its top-performing, highly efficient solar…