Compare Local Pros
Luminalt Solar Energy Solutions vs Kevel Home Performance
San Francisco HVAC Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
These companies serve entirely different needs: Luminalt specializes exclusively in solar installations while Kevel focuses on HVAC, insulation, and energy efficiency improvements.
| Luminalt Solar Energy Solutions | Kevel Home Performance | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.7 | ★ 5.0 |
| Years Licensed | 21 years | 9 years |
| License # | 845219 | 1021221 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Website | luminalt.com | www.kevelhome.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Luminalt Solar Energy Solutions
Customers emphasize Luminalt's clear communication throughout solar projects, attention to installation detail, and successful completion of challenging Victorian home solar installations.
Kevel Home Performance
Customers highlight Kevel's thorough energy assessments before beginning work, professional HVAC installations, and careful attention to historic property requirements for efficiency upgrades.
Key Takeaway: Luminalt's feedback centers on solar project management and communication, while Kevel's reviews emphasize comprehensive diagnostic assessment and thermal improvement expertise, reflecting their completely different service specialties.
Customer Reviews
Luminalt Solar Energy Solutions
We had Luminalt Solar install 29 solar panels on our Victorian in Bernal Heights ten years ago. We’re thrilled with the installation and savings on our PG&E bill every month! Our service rep, Kayla,...
Pretty smooth process from start to finish. Zero surprises.
The Luminalt team was very easy to work with, and the end result is functioning perfectly.
Kevel Home Performance
We recently moved to our new home and had to replace a super old antique furnace. We hired Kevel to completely redo all our ducting and install a new high efficiency furnace. Brian, Jeff, and Eric ar...
We have a 150 year-old victorian condo and the windows are somewhat newer, but the house was not sealed completely. Brian and his team came in and did a leak test, went above and beyond to seal the bu...
First rate operation. Kevel came to us by way of our asking for assistance in taking advantage of the Energy Upgrade California Program. We were working with Charles Windows and Doors of San Rafael,...
Consider Luminalt Solar Energy Solutions if...
- ✓ Your primary goal is generating your own electricity or adding battery backup for power outages, not improving heating and cooling efficiency
- ✓ You want a contractor with two decades of solar-specific experience who has seen every permitting challenge and roof configuration San Francisco can present
- ✓ You're ready to invest in solar panels or battery storage and customer feedback about communication throughout complex solar installations matters to you
- ✓ Your Victorian or urban property requires specialized solar mounting solutions and you want a team with proven experience on challenging San Francisco roofs
Consider Kevel Home Performance if...
- ✓ Your home needs heating and cooling system replacement, has drafty rooms, or requires ductwork improvements rather than solar panels
- ✓ You want to take advantage of Energy Upgrade California incentives for efficiency improvements, which Kevel actively helps homeowners access
- ✓ Your older home needs comprehensive air sealing, leak testing, or thermal efficiency improvements before considering solar
- ✓ You're dealing with an aging furnace or HVAC system that needs replacement and want high owner involvement throughout the project
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → If considering both types of upgrades, ask each contractor whether HVAC improvements or solar installation should come first for your specific home
- → Ask Kevel whether your home's energy efficiency baseline should be improved before adding solar, and ask Luminalt whether your current electrical panel can support both solar and upgraded HVAC systems
- → Request an energy assessment to determine whether solar generation or thermal efficiency improvements will provide better return on investment for your property
- → If your budget allows only one upgrade this year, ask both contractors to explain the typical payback period and immediate comfort impact of their respective solutions
The Bottom Line
This isn't a meaningful comparison unless you're deciding between two different categories of home energy upgrades. Choose Luminalt if you want solar panels or battery storage installed by a veteran solar specialist with 21 years navigating San Francisco's solar landscape. Choose Kevel if you need HVAC replacement, air sealing, ductwork, or thermal efficiency improvements from an experienced contractor focused on the building envelope and mechanical systems. If your home needs both types of work, consider which provides better return on investment for your situation, or plan to hire both companies in sequence with efficiency improvements typically coming first.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
Many energy consultants recommend addressing major air leaks and inefficient HVAC systems before adding solar, since reducing energy consumption first means you can install a smaller, less expensive solar system. However, if your heating and cooling systems are functioning adequately and your main concern is electricity costs or backup power, solar may be the priority. An energy audit can help determine the most cost-effective sequence for your specific situation.
Yes, though you'll need to coordinate the sequence and ensure electrical panel capacity is adequate for both upgrades. Typically, HVAC and air sealing work happens first to reduce your energy load, then solar is sized based on your improved efficiency baseline. Both companies have experience with San Francisco Victorian homes, so they understand the structural considerations that might affect both types of installations.
Solar panels directly offset electricity costs from day one of operation, providing immediate measurable savings on your utility bill. HVAC and efficiency improvements reduce the amount of energy needed for heating and cooling, which also lowers bills but the impact depends on your current system's inefficiency and your usage patterns. Solar provides more predictable savings calculations, while efficiency upgrades often improve comfort alongside cost savings.
Luminalt's 21 years versus Kevel's 9 years matters within their respective specialties, but they're solving completely different problems. Luminalt's veteran status in solar means extensive experience with San Francisco permitting, changing incentive programs, and evolving solar technology. Kevel's 9 years still places them solidly in the experienced tier for HVAC and efficiency work, with proven capability on historic properties and energy incentive programs.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top hvac contractors in San Francisco.
Other San Francisco HVAC Contractors Comparisons
Luminalt Solar Energy Solutions
★ 4.7
Arch Plumbing
★ 4.9
Luminalt Solar Energy Solutions
★ 4.7
Building Efficiency
★ 4.9
Luminalt Solar Energy Solutions
★ 4.7
Associated Heating Of San Francisco
★ 4.8
Building Efficiency
★ 4.9
Kevel Home Performance
★ 5.0
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.
Get in Touch
Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you.