Compare Local Pros
Five Star Solar vs Elite Heating And Air Conditioning
Sacramento General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a solar contractor with a heating and cooling contractor, so your decision depends entirely on which service you actually need.
| Five Star Solar | Elite Heating And Air Conditioning | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 19 years |
| License # | 873535 | 900154 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Elk Grove, CA | Elk Grove, CA |
| Website | www.fivestarssolar.com | www.elite-heatingandair.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Five Star Solar
Customers consistently praise Five Star Solar for completing installations in one to two days, providing thorough education during sales consultations, and maintaining competitive pricing without pressure tactics.
Elite Heating And Air Conditioning
Customers frequently highlight Elite Heating's same-day emergency availability during system failures, technicians' detailed explanations using photos and videos, and competitive pricing compared to competitors recommending unnecessary work.
Key Takeaway: Five Star Solar customers emphasize fast scheduled project completion, while Elite Heating customers focus on rapid emergency response when systems fail unexpectedly.
Customer Reviews
Five Star Solar
The folks at Five Star Solar were professional, experienced, fast, organized, and available for questions and communication. My solar system has been working flawlessly since they installed it. I had ...
In October 2025, I saw an ad about installing solar panels. I called my company, and they filed for bankruptcy. I called other companies, and they told me that they won't finish by December deadline f...
Like so many of us that were going to do some type of solar project at some point we now had to scramble to get our solar projects completed by year end due to the abandonment of the Tax Credit. I was...
Elite Heating And Air Conditioning
A couple of years I got a whole new system installed and it was great. If you're looking for a new unit call Elite Heating and Air. Now it was time to get system maintenance so it doesn't break on m...
Elite is a great HVAC company. They are very responsive, professional and reasonably priced. I highly recommend them!
Bottom line, I use Elite because there is no upsell and thus far everything is above board. So long as it remains this way I will keep using them.
Consider Five Star Solar if...
- ✓ You're planning to install solar panels, add battery backup to an existing system, or expand your current solar capacity
- ✓ You're working through HOA approval requirements for solar installations or need specialized roof configurations
- ✓ You want a contractor experienced with solar-specific permitting, utility interconnection, and rebate program navigation
- ✓ Your project timeline allows for scheduled installation work rather than requiring emergency response
Consider Elite Heating And Air Conditioning if...
- ✓ You need heating or cooling system installation, repair, or maintenance for your home
- ✓ Your HVAC system has failed during extreme weather and you need same-day emergency service
- ✓ You're considering full system replacement and want thorough diagnostics with detailed explanations of your current system's condition
- ✓ You need water heater replacement, ductwork inspection, or ongoing HVAC maintenance programs
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → If considering both solar and HVAC work, ask each contractor how solar installation or battery systems might affect heating and cooling equipment placement or electrical panel capacity
- → Ask Five Star Solar about current utility rebates, net metering policies, and realistic payback timelines for your specific energy usage
- → Ask Elite Heating about system sizing recommendations for your square footage and whether your existing ductwork is adequate for new high-efficiency systems
The Bottom Line
This comparison only matters if you're evaluating both solar installation and HVAC replacement as part of comprehensive home improvements. Both companies are equally qualified veteran contractors with strong customer feedback, proper insurance, and similar bonding. Choose Five Star Solar for any solar-related project—they have 20 years of solar-specific experience, handle installations quickly, and customers consistently mention competitive pricing. Choose Elite Heating And Air Conditioning for any heating, cooling, or water heater work—they offer same-day emergency service, thorough diagnostics, and have 19 years navigating Sacramento's climate demands. If you need both services, hire both contractors and coordinate timing between them.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, solar installation and HVAC replacement are separate projects that different contractors handle. If you're upgrading both, coordinate timing so the HVAC contractor knows about electrical panel changes from solar work, and the solar contractor accounts for your new system's energy consumption when sizing panels. Schedule HVAC work first if your system is failing, as solar won't help if your house is uncomfortable.
Solar panels generate electricity to offset your utility bills, including the electricity used by your HVAC system if it's electric. However, solar doesn't directly improve HVAC efficiency. If you have an old, inefficient heating or cooling system, replacing it before or alongside solar installation maximizes your overall energy savings since you'll need fewer panels to cover a more efficient system's energy use.
This depends entirely on your current situation. If your HVAC system is failing or extremely inefficient, replacement provides immediate comfort and lower bills. Solar installation offers long-term utility bill reduction with payback typically in 6-12 years depending on your usage and available incentives. Ask each contractor for specific cost projections based on your home's actual energy consumption and system condition.
Yes, both companies manage permitting as part of their standard service. Five Star Solar handles solar-specific permits and utility interconnection agreements required for grid-tied systems. Elite Heating handles building permits for HVAC installations and coordinates mandatory inspections for system replacements. Both have two decades of experience navigating Sacramento County's permitting requirements.
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How We Compare Contractors
License Verification
All license data is sourced from official California CSLB records and verified regularly.
Review Analysis
Customer reviews are aggregated from Google and analyzed to identify patterns in service quality.
Detailed Comparison
We analyze credentials, insurance, experience, and feedback to highlight meaningful differences.
Not all licensed contractors are created equal. While a valid license is the baseline requirement in California, contractors can vary significantly in experience, insurance coverage, and customer satisfaction.
- Experience matters: A contractor with 15+ years of experience has likely encountered and solved problems that newer contractors haven't faced yet.
- Workers' compensation protects you: If a contractor without workers' comp insurance has an employee injured on your property, you could be held liable.
- Reviews reveal patterns: Individual reviews can be misleading, but patterns across many reviews often reveal a contractor's true strengths and weaknesses.
- Bond amounts vary: A contractor's bond provides financial protection if they fail to complete work as agreed. Higher bonds offer more protection.
Taking time to compare contractors on these factors can save you from costly mistakes and help ensure your project is completed by a qualified professional.
Data Sources: License information from California CSLB. Ratings and reviews from Google. Last verified March 12, 2026.
This comparison is based on publicly available information. We recommend getting multiple quotes and verifying all credentials directly before hiring.
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