11/30/2012
Anonymous
When I decided to look into solar panels for my house to help offset my electric bills, I started with a list from the BBB website and Yelp and Angie's list reviews. I wound up with 7 quotes for different systems. After talking with a number of contractors, I chose Your Energy Solutions (YES), and I'm glad I did for a number of reasons. My wife and friends tease me about being a compulsive shopper - I always research extensively before I buy anything expensive. That's what led me to YES, and I'm now convinced that it was time well spent.<br />First, I got to deal with Jim (co-owner, handled all the contracting and paperwork) and Lou (engineer, designed and oversaw all technical aspects of installation) directly, not just a sales rep. Some of the other companies were rather pushy and gave me questionable information, but I always felt I was getting an honest appraisal with YES, and they didn't push me to buy more than I needed or try to tell me that the type (microinverters vs central inverters) were "the best" - both have advantages and disadvantages, but either technology will work fine. YES carries both types of systems, so you can get a side-by-side comparison of the pros and cons without all the sales slant. I was leaning toward the microinverter system since it would be easier to upgrade later, but Jim offered me such a good deal on a central inverter system that I was able to get a substantially larger output system for less money, and decided to go that way.<br />I also decided to thermal barrier in the attic and the whole house fan. They really made a difference - I hardly had to run my AC this summer, only on a few hot days. The whole house fan really cools my house off quickly, with minimal electric usage. With the credit for PG&E for the "extra" electricity I sell back to the system during the middle of the day, my electric bills have been running less than $50 a month since I got the system put in. I've been monitoring my output, and it's right where it was projected to be. Can't complain about the system performance.<br />The installation was flawless - they installed the system and routed the wiring just as we agreed (on time!), painted the conduit to match the house, and you can hardly see it. Very professional - all the conduit bends match the house, anchored securely, etc. The Livermore inspector told me it looked like a top-notch job to him as well.<br />YES has a storefront in Pleasanton where you can go see the equipment in advance, so you get no surprises when it's delivered. Jim and Lou met me there on a weekend when they would normally be closed to accommodate my schedule, which I really appreciated since I don't have a lot of spare time during the week. It's nice to know they have a place you can go see them if you've got a problem instead of just working out of a car. Made me much more comfortable that they were in the business for the long haul.<br />I checked references - everyone I spoke with was happy. Good reviews on the BBB site and Yelp. After dealing with them, I can see why.<br />They do provide low up-front cost lease options, but if you can afford to buy yourself you'll save a lot more money over time. They offered a lot of financing choices to chose from, so even if you don't have any money up front you can still get a system basically for free and cut your electric bill substantially. Jim even provided a sample tax form to claim credit on my taxes when I file next year, so I wouldn't have to guess or hire a preparer just to be sure I was filling it out right.<br />Overall, I have a hard time pointing to any negatives in my dealing with YES. Not only did they make me comfortable dealing with them, they gave me what I'm convinced was the best deal around, and kept their word on verbal commitments even when I didn't have it in writing. It was just a positive experience all around, and I can't recommend them highly enough. Note: I did tell them up front that I would be reviewing their work afterward, but I did not receive any special consideration for doing so and I have no relationship with this company except this one purchase.