7.7
GAF Power
Like
Installs identical to a roof
Guarantees fewer leaks
Excessive effectivity
Sleeker seems to be
Don’t love
No high-end possibility with smaller manufacturing declines
Decrease wattage per shingle than different photo voltaic roof choices
Cannot be angled
Since GAF Power debuted its Timberline photo voltaic shingles in 2021, roofers have put in them in 16 states. Though it is nonetheless a comparatively new photo voltaic expertise, this might mark a significant change in how owners entry photo voltaic power on their roofs.
There are 5 million new roofs placed on properties annually, and 1.5 million of them use GAF shingles, mentioned Rey Holmes, GAF Power’s vp of providers and product. Changing even a few of these roofs to GAF Power’s photo voltaic shingles would mark a big enhance in residential rooftop photo voltaic within the US.
Although CNET wasn’t capable of undergo the buying course of and interact in hands-on testing in our evaluation course of, finishing up a evaluation of GAF Power — which relies on knowledge from the web and an interview with a GAF Power consultant — is much less easy than it’s with different photo voltaic firms. GAF Power’s product and enterprise mannequin are distinctive among the many firms we have reviewed up to now on the positioning, making head-to-head comparisons trickier. When comparisons fall quick, or one thing cannot be mentioned for positive, will probably be famous within the evaluation.
Can photo voltaic panels prevent cash?
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What do I get from GAF Power?
As an alternative of dealing in photo voltaic panels, which get mounted to roofs on metallic racks, GAF Power sells photo voltaic shingles, referred to as Timberline Photo voltaic, that nail into roofs like every outdated asphalt shingle. The shingles sit flat in opposition to the roof, with electrical parts housed in conduit on the entrance of every one. It makes for a much less obtrusive look than photo voltaic panels, however not as seamless because the sleek-but-pricey Tesla Photo voltaic Roof.
As a result of photo voltaic shingles and photo voltaic panels are totally different applied sciences, it is not as helpful to match the energy-generating specs of Timberline Photo voltaic and the choices from different photo voltaic firms that supply photo voltaic panels.
However we will examine Timberline Photo voltaic to different photo voltaic shingle merchandise. GAF Power’s Timberline Photo voltaic warranties are on par with these for the Tesla Photo voltaic Roof, and are longer than different photo voltaic shingle manufacturers we have seen. You get extra protection choices with GAF Power, providing two totally different addendums to select from. Timberline Photo voltaic shingles even have the highest effectivity ranking of any photo voltaic shingle product we have seen (about 23%), based on GAF Power.
Watch this: New Photo voltaic Shingles You Might Not Even Discover
Timberline Photo voltaic has the bottom wattage per shingle that we have seen (45 watts). The everyday wattage of a photo voltaic shingle is round 70 watts and the common wattage of a photo voltaic panel is between 250 and 400 watts. You will possible want to put in extra Timberline Photo voltaic shingles than you’d with different manufacturers to satisfy your house’s power wants and match the wattage of a singular photo voltaic panel.
Timberline Photo voltaic shingles are additionally a bit bigger than comparable photo voltaic shingle merchandise, similar to these from Tesla. Why does this matter? Photo voltaic shingles are usually priced per sq. foot. So that you would possibly want extra shingles to satisfy your house’s power wants with Timberline Photo voltaic.
In late July, GAF Power issued a recall for some photo voltaic shingles and associated tools it had put in from November 2021 to April 2023, on account of a fireplace danger. By early August, GAF Power instructed CNET, 80% of the affected installations had already been repaired. The US Shopper Product Security Fee famous reviews of 1 fireplace and 5 “thermal incidents.”
Timberline Photo voltaic shingle specs
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| Wattage per shingle | 45 W |
| Wattage per sq. foot | 14.3 W |
| Wind ranking | 130 mph |
| Shingle effectivity | 23% |
What photo voltaic tools does GAF Power set up?
GAF Power solely presents Timberline Photo voltaic shingles and would not provide photo voltaic panels. And the corporate technically would not set up them. A GAF-certified contractor would be the one placing photo voltaic in your roof. You can monitor your photo voltaic roof’s electrical energy manufacturing by means of the GAF Power house owner portal. That is web-based, which means there is no app.
Timberline Photo voltaic shingles sit flat on the roof as a result of they’re a part of the roof.
Photo voltaic inverters play an vital position in turning photo voltaic power into usable power on your house. GAF Power makes use of Delta and SolarEdge string inverters. SolarEdge inverters are extensively distributed, extremely environment friendly and provide a strong guarantee. Additionally they gained the highest spot on CNET’s finest photo voltaic inverters record. Delta inverters are a strong possibility as properly, however we discovered SolarEdge to be the higher selection of the 2.
What about photo voltaic batteries? You can get one, simply not by means of GAF Power. Timberline Photo voltaic roof is appropriate with many battery choices in the marketplace, based on the corporate. You will want to talk with a licensed power storage contractor to get a battery put in.
What warranties does GAF Power provide?
In comparison with comparable photo voltaic shingle merchandise in the marketplace, GAF Power presents a robust restricted guarantee for Timberline Photo voltaic. Here is what you will get:
Product guarantee: One in every of GAF Power’s largest guarantees with Timberline Photo voltaic is safety from leaks. So the corporate ensures no leaks from producer defects for 25 years.
Wind guarantee: GAF Power presents a 15-year guarantee in opposition to winds as much as 130 mph.
Energy manufacturing guarantee: GAF Power says your photo voltaic shingles will not lower in manufacturing greater than 2% in 12 months a number of than 0.55% per 12 months after that. After 25 years, Timberline Photo voltaic ought to nonetheless produce at 84.8% its authentic stage. That fee of decline is in step with many photo voltaic panels in use as we speak, however lags behind some top-of-the-line choices.
For an extra value, Timberline Photo voltaic comes with two enhanced photo voltaic warranties you’ll be able to add on: Photo voltaic Plus and Photo voltaic Max. With a Photo voltaic Plus guarantee addendum, you obtain a one-year assure of {the electrical} workmanship and 10 years of protection for third-party electronics.
With the Photo voltaic Max guarantee addendum, you obtain a 10-year assure on {the electrical} workmanship and 25 years of protection for third-party electronics. You will additionally obtain a 25-year solar energy technology assure. This ensures that your Timberline Photo voltaic system will generate a selected variety of kilowatt hours by sure factors all through the 25 years. The worth of this assure relies on what number of kilowatt hours are promised. Such selections are comprised of challenge to challenge.
Holmes mentioned that whereas GAF is not specializing in backup batteries simply now, the programs are appropriate with all main battery manufacturers, and prospects will be capable to add one.
Timberline Photo voltaic shingles lay as flat as a traditional roof shingle, although they’ve a extra horizontal look that lacks the tabbing of the shingles round them. Nonetheless, the impact is way much less jarring than rack mount photo voltaic.
Does GAF Power use subcontractors?
Sure, GAF Power makes use of a community of licensed roofing and electrical contractors to put in Timberline Photo voltaic shingles. These photo voltaic shingles are nailable, which means that the precise “photo voltaic” shingles themselves may be put in by certified roofers, together with the common shingles in your roof on the identical time. A neighborhood GAF-certified roofer will set up the photo voltaic shingles and an electrician will deal with the inverter set up, wiring and different electrical parts.
How a lot does a Timberline Photo voltaic roof value?
It is exhausting to say. Evaluating costs between Timberline Photo voltaic and traditional photo voltaic panels is tough. Whereas standard photo voltaic panels go on prime of your roof, Timberline Photo voltaic is a part of your roof. Meaning you purchase a brand new roof and Timberline Photo voltaic on the identical time.
Although costs differ by market and by challenge, getting a brand new roof and photo voltaic from GAF Power prices about the identical as a brand new roof and conventional rooftop photo voltaic panels, the corporate mentioned. So getting Timberline Photo voltaic solely makes monetary sense should you’re prepared to switch your roof.
The map beneath exhibits the typical costs for residential photo voltaic panel installations as reported by FindEnergy.com. The price of photo voltaic shingles/roofs usually are not included on this knowledge set. State incentives and the tax credit score usually are not included within the estimate both. States in grey haven’t got knowledge accessible.
What financing choices does GAF Power provide?
GAF Power itself would not provide any financing or leasing choices for Timberline Photo voltaic. However your GAF-certified contractor would possibly. It is fairly frequent for photo voltaic installers and contractors to supply some kind of photo voltaic mortgage or financing program. Though some are higher than others. If there are a number of GAF-certified photo voltaic roof installers in your space, examine their finance choices to see which is most possible on your finances.
There are different methods to pay on your photo voltaic roof as properly. Paying money up entrance, a private mortgage out of your financial institution or a house fairness line of credit score are only a few different choices.
Does GAF Power function in my state? How do I order?
Timberline Photo voltaic is offered in 16 states.
States accessible
GAF Power makes Timberline Photo voltaic, but it surely’s put in by GAF-certified Grasp Elite roofers. Meaning whereas some folks come to GAF Power immediately by means of its web site, most interact completely with their contractor.
In case you’re available in the market for a roof and particularly in search of Timberline Photo voltaic, you’ll be able to fill out a web-based type on GAF Power’s web site, which can join you with an area installer, or add you to a waitlist to be notified when Timberline Photo voltaic turns into accessible in your space. From ordering to set up, GAF-certified roofers deal with the challenge, although they work with native electricians to deal with the aspect of the challenge that entails inverter set up and needed wiring.
Is GAF Power my most suitable option?
Timberline Photo voltaic is seen on a roof, however extra delicate than photo voltaic panels.
Whereas we weren’t capable of purchase or carry out any type of hands-on testing for this evaluation, we will nonetheless examine the Timberline Photo voltaic roof to different photo voltaic roof merchandise. And so far as photo voltaic roofs go, a Timberline Photo voltaic roof from GAF Power is certainly one of your finest choices. The opposite main photo voltaic roof participant, Tesla Photo voltaic Roof, seems to be sleeker however comes at a reasonably steep premium (although value varies primarily based in your roof’s complexity and dimension) and its most wind withstanding velocity is 20 mph much less. Timberline Photo voltaic shingles even have a most effectivity ranking of 23%, based on GAF Power. That is the best effectivity ranking of another photo voltaic shingle model we have seen. Timberline Photo voltaic from GAF Power ought to match up properly with standard photo voltaic on worth, too.
In case you’re on the fence about whether or not it’s best to set up photo voltaic shingles or photo voltaic panels, the primary elements to contemplate are your finances and aesthetics. Photo voltaic shingles will possible take advantage of sense for you in case your roof must be changed earlier than putting in photo voltaic panels, and should you’re not a fan of the “look” of photo voltaic panels in your roof. In case you do not want your roof changed and you do not care about aesthetics, putting in photo voltaic panels might be a greater possibility. Nonetheless, it is price mentioning that Timberline Photo voltaic’s efficiency over time is akin to many standard photo voltaic panels in the marketplace as we speak, though higher-performance photo voltaic panels have increased assured efficiency later of their lives.
Photo voltaic roofs are nonetheless thought of considerably of a distinct segment product within the photo voltaic house, and are provided by only a few installers. You would possibly even solely have one photo voltaic roof possibility in your space. However to get the perfect worth attainable, get quotes from as many photo voltaic roof installers in your space as attainable, even when there are solely two.
Learn extra: Need one thing smaller than a whole-home photo voltaic system? See our picks for the perfect moveable photo voltaic panels and photo voltaic mills.
GAF Power execs and cons
Professionals
- Installs like a traditional roof
- Guarantees longer safety in opposition to leaks and defects
- Excessive effectivity
Cons
- Cannot be angled
- Decrease wattage per shingle than different photo voltaic roof choices
- Might value you greater than photo voltaic panels
GAF Power critiques: What are prospects saying?
Opinions can present a useful methodology for evaluating the customer support high quality of an organization. However buyer critiques ought to all the time be learn with a grain of salt, and it is vital to do your personal analysis and ask questions. Buyer critiques for GAF Power are a mixture of good and dangerous critiques.
Here is a small pattern of optimistic and damaging Google critiques for GAF Power. These critiques have been flippantly edited for spelling and grammar.
5 star critiques
“I bought a Timberline Photo voltaic roof by means of GAF and was blown away with the extent of service the crew offered at each step. [One employee] guided us by means of the setup, scheduling, and different work. [Another employee] made positive the roof set up went easily and went completely. [Other employees] acted extremely skilled through the electrical work and had all the things accomplished effectively and safely. I have already got folks asking about the place they will get the roof. In case you’re attempting to determine between GAF and Tesla, the extent of consideration and talent to get questions answered by educated workers make GAF the clear selection.” Kevin C.
“Our outdated roof of 40 years wanted to get replaced and GAF Power offers a superb resolution with their Timberline Photo voltaic roofing system. Our photo voltaic shingles had been put in a month in the past and we could not be extra happy! [Employees] have been nice all through your complete course of. Their buyer assist has been exemplary and we all the time had an open line of communication. Every part went easily from the primary website go to, set up and cleanup to the ultimate inspections.” Kenny. Okay
1 star critiques
“We’re renovating our Florida house and trying to set up a PV resolution to cowl our energy utilization. After researching varied choices, we discovered the GAF photo voltaic shingle resolution to be essentially the most promising. We reached out to a roofing firm really useful by GAF and issues rapidly took a flip for the worst. Regardless of being instructed about the advantages of the expertise, we by no means acquired a concrete provide. After we adopted up, we had been instructed we might have a name with a GAF Power consultant, however they by no means confirmed up. After weeks of no progress, we reached out to GAF for one more contact, solely to be related with the identical roofer. We tried discovering different roofers on the web site, however none of them had expertise with the photo voltaic roof product. Ultimately, we switched to Tesla, who offered a compelling provide inside hours.” Rolf R.
“If I may give them zero stars I’d. They didn’t know the specifics of my state/space, and so they put too many panels on our house. When our electrical firm denied our software and defined to GAF what decisions we had for the photo voltaic to be accepted, GAF didn’t name us to debate it with us. We needed to hear about it by calling the electrical firm. In the meantime, months glided by with us paying for the photo voltaic however getting no profit. They went months with out talking to us though we continued to request info from them. If it weren’t for our roofing firm and our diligence with calling the electrical firm, we by no means would have had our photo voltaic authorised.” Marcie R.
How we evaluated the perfect photo voltaic shingles
CNET has not carried out any type of hands-on testing with these merchandise. Photo voltaic shingles are a part of a posh PV system that’s built-in into the roof of a home or construction. This makes hand-on testing tough. As an alternative, we took the most typical photo voltaic shingle manufacturers in the marketplace and made comparisons between them to seek out the most suitable choice. It is also vital to notice the restricted availability of photo voltaic roof merchandise, making decisions for this record restricted as properly. Here is how we scored the perfect photo voltaic shingles.
First, we decided what classes we might use to guage every photo voltaic shingle. Every class was given a weight reflecting how vital we felt it was to the typical shopper. After analyzing knowledge offered by producers and talking with material consultants (who did not affect the alternatives that had been made for this record), these had been the classes we selected to guage every photo voltaic shingle model on.
- Product guarantee: 20%
- Wind/weatherization guarantee: 15%
- Energy output/efficiency guarantee: 20%
- Wind ranking: 10%
- Shingle effectivity: 15%
- Shingle wattage per sq. foot: 20%
We checked out 5 of the preferred photo voltaic shingle suppliers in the marketplace, collected the info for every class and in contrast the numbers. Every class (for each photo voltaic shingle) was given a tier-style ranking to guage which features of every photo voltaic shingle had been above common (amongst our record), simply common or beneath common.
Incessantly requested questions
What’s the distinction between photo voltaic panels and photo voltaic shingles?
Each photo voltaic panels and photo voltaic shingles use daylight to generate electrical energy. The largest variations are in aesthetics, efficiency and value. Photo voltaic panels are mounted in your roof (or on the bottom) and are usually broad and ponderous. Most monocrystalline photo voltaic panels will even have increased effectivity rankings than photo voltaic shingles.
Photo voltaic shingles are basically small photo voltaic panels which can be designed to appear to be conventional roof shingles, and are built-in along with your roof to appear to be conventional roofing materials. Not everybody likes the “look” of rooftop photo voltaic, making photo voltaic shingles a superb different for individuals who need to go photo voltaic however don’t desire cumbersome photo voltaic panels on their roof. Putting in photo voltaic shingles is also a greater possibility if you could have your whole roof changed to put in photo voltaic.
What are the setbacks of photo voltaic shingles?
There are fairly just a few cons that include putting in photo voltaic shingles versus photo voltaic panels. The primary setbacks are that they typically have decrease effectivity rankings, increased set up prices (relying on the corporate), restricted availability and decrease wattage, which might make it more durable (and doubtlessly dearer) to satisfy your house’s power wants.
Do Timberline Photo voltaic shingles qualify for the federal photo voltaic tax credit score?
Sure. Since photo voltaic shingles rely as PV tools, they’re eligible for the federal photo voltaic tax credit score. The federal photo voltaic tax credit score means that you can declare 30% of the entire value of your photo voltaic system again in federal tax credit. However this tax credit score won’t cowl the price of the remainder of your roof’s substitute.
How lengthy do photo voltaic shingles final?
Most photo voltaic roofs are designed to final round 20 to 30 years or so. That is akin to photo voltaic panels, which often final round 25 years or extra. The lifespan of your photo voltaic roof may rely upon the producer and the standard of set up. Above all else, you will need to ensure you have an installer you’ll be able to belief.