Compare Local Pros
Rme Innovations vs Forster Heating
Placer Solar Contractors Comparison · Updated March 2026
These contractors serve completely different needs: RME Innovations installs solar systems while Forster Heating handles HVAC work.
| Rme Innovations | Forster Heating | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.3 | ★ 4.9 |
| Years Licensed | 5 years | 39 years |
| License # | 1077450 | 501585 |
| Workers' Comp | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Bond Amount | $25,000 | $25,000 |
| Location | Roseville, CA | Auburn, CA |
| Website | www.rmeinnovations.com | www.forsterheating.com |
Key Differences
What Customers Say
Rme Innovations
Customers consistently praise thorough solar consultations and professional installation crews, with personalized system design receiving specific recognition.
Forster Heating
Customers repeatedly highlight responsive scheduling, persistent diagnostic troubleshooting, and a repair-first philosophy that saves money over replacement recommendations.
Key Takeaway: RME's feedback centers on upfront education and installation quality with some post-completion communication gaps, while Forster Heating receives consistent praise for ongoing responsiveness and honest service recommendations across the entire customer relationship.
Customer Reviews
Rme Innovations
We can’t say enough about our outstanding experience with RME. Get delivered as promised throughout the new PV install on our house. Special shout out to the install team who provided a professiona...
RME Innovations Solar, They took the time to explain all my options clearly and answered all my questions patiently. The installation process quick & seamless, causing no disruption to my daily activi...
Outstanding service from start to finish! RME Innovations provided clear options and tailored a solar solution that fit my needs perfectly. The installation was completed on schedule, and the crew was...
Forster Heating
Adam was our technician today for our routine maintenance. He was thorough, timely and friendly! Forster Heating gets another âï¸âï¸âï¸âï¸âï¸!!
They were prompt and professional.... Thanks
I had an intermittent heater problem and technician came out twice to solve the problem and at a reasonable price. So grateful he persisted in tracking down the problem. Great friendly service.
Consider Rme Innovations if...
- ✓ You need a solar panel or energy storage system installed and want thorough upfront consultation about energy options and system design tailored to your specific usage patterns.
- ✓ You value detailed explanation of the solar installation process and appreciate contractors who take time during initial meetings to answer questions.
- ✓ Your timeline allows for potential scheduling adjustments, and you're prepared to stay engaged with utility activation paperwork rather than expecting full-service coordination.
- ✓ You're comparing solar contractors specifically and want one with established experience in the Roseville and Placer County area who understands local utility requirements.
Consider Forster Heating if...
- ✓ You need HVAC service, repair, or installation and want a contractor with the diagnostic depth to handle complex or intermittent problems that other companies haven't solved.
- ✓ You prefer a repair-first philosophy over being pushed toward expensive system replacements, especially if your equipment is older but potentially salvageable.
- ✓ Quick response times matter to you, particularly for heating or cooling emergencies, and you value consistent communication with appointment reminders.
- ✓ You have commercial heating or cooling needs alongside residential work, or you're seeking a long-term HVAC service relationship with a deeply established local company.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- → For RME Innovations: Ask specifically who will handle utility activation paperwork and permit coordination, and request a clear timeline with contact points for post-installation support.
- → For RME Innovations: Request references from recent installations similar to yours, particularly regarding the responsiveness after system activation.
- → For Forster Heating: If considering a system replacement they recommend, ask what repair options exist and what specific conditions make replacement necessary versus repair.
- → For either company: Confirm lead times for your specific project type, as solar installations and HVAC work have different material availability and scheduling patterns.
The Bottom Line
You're not actually choosing between these contractors—you're evaluating specialists for completely different projects. If you need solar installation, RME Innovations offers solid experience with thorough consultations, though you should clarify post-installation support processes upfront and get specific contact commitments for utility coordination. If you need HVAC service or installation, Forster Heating brings exceptional diagnostic depth from 39 years of experience, with consistent feedback about responsive service and honest repair recommendations over unnecessary replacements. Both maintain proper licensing and insurance. The only scenario where you'd hire both is if you're tackling solar and HVAC projects simultaneously on the same property.
Get Up to 3 Free Quotes
Compare prices from licensed, verified contractors
Frequently Asked Questions
You wouldn't compare them for a single project since they serve entirely different needs. This comparison is only relevant if you're planning both solar installation and HVAC work on your property and want to evaluate contractors for multiple projects simultaneously. In that case, you'd hire both companies for their respective specializations rather than choosing between them.
The experience gap matters differently in each context. Forster Heating's decades of HVAC work translates directly to diagnostic capability with complex heating and cooling problems that require pattern recognition. RME's five years is actually solid for solar, since modern residential photovoltaic technology has evolved significantly in the past decade, making recent specialized experience more relevant than it would be in traditional trades like plumbing or electrical.
The main risk involves delays with utility activation and net metering setup, which means your system might be installed but not generating credits or connected to the grid on schedule. This doesn't affect the physical installation quality, but it can delay your return on investment. Before signing, clarify exactly who handles utility paperwork, get specific contact information for post-installation issues, and confirm the timeline from physical completion to active system operation.
Based on customer feedback, yes—multiple reviews specifically mention Forster successfully repairing systems that other contractors wanted to replace entirely. However, repair versus replacement depends on your system's specific condition, efficiency goals, and how long you plan to stay in the home. Their diagnostic thoroughness means you'll get an honest assessment, but you should still ask what the repaired system's expected lifespan and efficiency will be compared to replacement options.
Looking for the Best?
See our ranked list of top solar contractors in Placer.
Other Placer Solar Contractors Comparisons
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 13, 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.