Compare Local Pros
Five Star Solar vs Three Rivers
Sacramento General Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
You're comparing a 20-year solar specialist to a 2-year HVAC company—these serve completely different needs.
| Five Star Solar | Three Rivers | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.9 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 20 years | 2 years |
| License # | 873535 | 1117062 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Elk Grove, CA | Sacramento, CA |
| Website | www.fivestarssolar.com | www.threeriversheatingandair.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Five Star Solar
Customers consistently highlight Five Star Solar's competitive pricing, fast installation execution once permits clear, and thorough education throughout the solar process.
Three Rivers
Customers repeatedly praise Three Rivers' same-day emergency responsiveness, punctual arrivals, and diagnostic approach that prioritizes repairs over automatic replacements.
Key Takeaway: Five Star Solar customers emphasize project completion speed and educational sales approach for planned installations, while Three Rivers customers focus on emergency availability and transparent pricing during urgent repair situations.
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...
Three Rivers
Great communication with excellent job performance in a good timely manner.
We recently had the privilege of getting our HVAC system replaced by Three Rivers. Their bid was fair. Everything is expensive these days. :) Their craftsmanship, integrity, excellence exceeded our ex...
From the first phone call to the completion of our new HVAC system it has been a positive experience. Jacob Jordon arrived on time and we explained we were looking to replace our 28+ year old system. ...
Consider Five Star Solar if...
- ✓ You're installing solar panels, adding battery backup, or expanding an existing solar system—Five Star Solar's specialty and 20-year track record directly address this need.
- ✓ Your home has complicated roof geometry, HOA requirements, or special design considerations where two decades of problem-solving experience helps navigate obstacles.
- ✓ You value a contractor who's weathered industry changes, utility policy shifts, and technology evolution over multiple solar generations.
- ✓ You want fast installation execution once permitting is complete, with projects frequently finished in one to two days according to customer reports.
Consider Three Rivers if...
- ✓ You need HVAC repair, system replacement, or maintenance—this is Three Rivers' specialty and Five Star Solar doesn't offer these services.
- ✓ You're facing an emergency heating or cooling failure and need same-day or weekend service, which Three Rivers consistently provides.
- ✓ You prefer a diagnostic approach before committing to full system replacement, as customers report Three Rivers focuses on identifying actual problems rather than automatic upsells.
- ✓ You're comfortable with a newer contractor who demonstrates strong responsiveness and communication, accepting the tradeoff of limited long-term track record.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For Three Rivers: Ask for references from full system installations completed in their first year of operation, and inquire how they handle complications that arise during installation.
- → For Three Rivers: Confirm how long their lead technicians have been in the HVAC trade total, since 2 years of licensing doesn't reflect individual technician experience.
- → For Five Star Solar: Ask about their warranty coverage and what happens if system performance issues emerge years after installation, given their demonstrated long-term customer contact.
- → For both: Confirm timeline expectations—solar permitting typically takes months while HVAC work happens within days—to ensure alignment with your project urgency.
The Bottom Line
This comparison only makes sense if you're uncertain whether you need solar or HVAC work—they're different trades entirely. If you're installing solar panels or battery backup, hire Five Star Solar and benefit from their 20 years navigating solar projects, complex installations, and utility processes. If you need heating or cooling repair, maintenance, or system replacement, hire Three Rivers and leverage their demonstrated same-day responsiveness and diagnostic approach. Three Rivers' 2-year licensing history is a legitimate consideration for complex HVAC installations, so ask about their technicians' total trade experience and request references from similar projects. If you need both services, you'll hire both companies for their respective specialties.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, these are completely separate projects requiring different trade licenses. You would hire Five Star Solar for the solar installation and Three Rivers for HVAC work. Coordinate timing if you're doing both, as solar installations involve roof work that shouldn't interfere with HVAC equipment, and new HVAC systems affect your home's electrical load calculations for solar sizing.
Not necessarily—the 2-year licensing period reflects when they obtained their contractor license, not when their technicians started working in HVAC. Ask Three Rivers directly about their lead technicians' total years in the trade. Many newer contracting businesses employ experienced technicians who previously worked for other companies.
Solar installations involve multi-month permitting processes, utility interconnection agreements, structural roof assessments, and equipment that must perform for 25+ years—experience helps navigate these complexities. HVAC work typically happens faster with more standardized processes, though experience still helps with unusual system configurations. For emergency HVAC repairs, responsiveness matters as much as experience, which is where Three Rivers demonstrates strength.
Only if you need both solar and HVAC services. If you're deciding between installing solar or replacing your HVAC system with limited budget, that's a bigger home investment decision about energy priorities. Solar provides long-term electricity savings while HVAC replacement addresses immediate comfort and efficiency needs—both are valid but serve different purposes.
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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 08, 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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