Posted by Damien Cabral on Wed, Jul 14, 2010
Blog Author: Matt Weiner
About a month ago, I received an email from my electric utility NSTAR asking if I’d like to participate in their Smart Energy Pilot program. I’m not sure why I was selected (perhaps because I’m in NSTAR’s Green program where I pay a premium for power generated by their upstate New York wind farm) but I jumped at the chance. After all, we’ve been hearing so much about smart meters and how they will revolutionize the way we use energy.
The process was quite simple. I merely signed a simple waiver and a week later they installed the system. The Smart Meter system is comprised of (3) components. The first is a Bridge Meter which essentially “bridges” the main power supply entering the home and measures the amount of electricity being used. Via Wi-FI, the Bridge Meter sends the information to the Transport routing device which sends my energy usage to NSTAR’s server. I can then access the information either through the Display which sits on the kitchen counter or through a web portal.
The Display and web portal provide simple and easy to understand information – a far cry from the standard electric meter and the cryptic monthly bills. In real time, I can see how much energy I am using (rounded to the nearest kW) and how much I’ve spent that day on electricity. I can even see a projection on how much my monthly bill is going to be (Ugh!). I can readily see when the power usage spikes and connect it back to various loads like air conditioning and appliances like the dryer and dishwasher (it would nice to have the ability to monitor each circuit to see exactly what electricity each load in the house draws but perhaps this would be too complex?).
So, what do I think so far?
I’m definitely impressed with the hardware and software. Everything works seamlessly and accurately and is easy to interpret. I do like knowing more about how much energy is used by the various appliances in the house. I’ve always been conscious about energy consumption so I don’t know if the Smart Meter is going to drive much change in my behavior (hopefully it will drive some changes in my teenagers’ behavior like turning out the lights!).
But I can see the future benefit. The Smart Meter does display the current cost of electricity. Since we’re all on flat rate plans, this means little now. But in the future when the cost of electricity is tiered based on demand and we have smart appliances in the home, I can definitely see how valuable it will be in scheduling appliances like dishwashers to run overnight or charging our electric cars. And for others who aren’t as conscious, I can see the Smart Meter as a catalyst of change. As the adage goes, “what’s measured is improved”!
Sample Reports:
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Posted by Repower Admin on Thu, Jun 03, 2010
A local company, Cooley Group in Pawtucket, RI, has teamed up with Ricoh Americas Corp, Lamar Advertising, Xunlight Corp and Takara Media to install the Ricoh Times Square Eco Board- the first 100% solar powered billboard in Times Square. The Eco Board, located on the corner of 42nd street and 7th avenue, will be honored in a June 8th celebration.
This 6,000 sq. ft. billboard system is comprised of a flexible, lightweight Enviroflex® substrate, manufactured by Xunlight. The material is printable and incorporates thin film photovoltaic panels. The billboard contains 24 thin PV modules and 62 solar panels. Just think of the energy that could be generated if all billboards in Times Square alone were solar powered!
The Eco Board is 100% off the grid and will go dark when there is insufficient sunlight. The solar panels on the Eco Board have been configured to Manhattan's low lighting. Click here to view the Eco Board web cam.
In the future, they may be adding this material to existing billboards which will generate enough energy to power the billboards. If more energy is produced, utility companies may buy the power by feeding into tariff programs or net metering. Currently, there are over 450,000 billboards in the US.
If Times Square inspired you to make your home solar powered, Repower Home provides Solar Hot Water and Solar Pool Heating products. Why pay for energy when you can get it from the sun for FREE?
For a FREE estimate, please contact us at 1-877-975-0222 or visit us at www.repowerhome.com.
Photo Credit: Ricoh USA
Posted by Damien Cabral on Mon, Apr 19, 2010
Blog Author: Rebecca Langley
On April 1, 2010, the Department of Energy tightened the energy efficiency guidelines for water heaters that are 55 gallons or larger. This change will go into 
effect in 2015 and affect all new water heaters of this size. To demonstrate the strictness of the new standards- an electric water heater would have to operate on 47% less energy and a gas water heater at 30% less energy than the current standards.
One of the biggest benefits to the new guidelines is that it will boost the national energy savings, adding up to a total of $10 billion over 3 decades. The savings in carbon dioxide emissions are equivalent to the following:
- Eliminating 46 million cars from the road for a period of 1 year
- Powering 15 million American homes for a period of 1 year
The price of water heaters will also go up, adding up to a total of $120, to compensate for the new guideline.
With the current tax credits, utility rebate programs and your state’s cash for appliances program, if applicable, the cost of a solar hot water heater is greatly reduced. Solar water heaters have collectors which are mounted to your roof and heat a non-toxic solar fluid — similar to antifreeze. This fluid transfers its energy to create hot water. The hot water is stored in a pre-heated tank, which feeds into your home’s current hot water tank. The average system uses 2-3 collectors and provides up to 80% of a home’s annual hot water needs.
In 2013, the energy efficiency standards will also get stricter for gas fireplaces and other direct heating equipment in addition to pool heating.
Now is the best time to go solar! Repower offers solar hot water systems and solar pool heating. Call us at 1-877-975-0222 for a no obligation, FREE estimate!
Posted by Damien Cabral on Fri, Mar 05, 2010
Blog Author: Rebecca Langley
Given the current status of the economy, everyone is coming up with creative ways to save money. As "going green" becomes mainstream, why not combine going green and thriftiness?
Nationwide, communities are using landfills to create energy. As the trash decays, a gas that is comprised of half methane is released. Rather than letting the gases emit into the air, they would be collected and treated for use as electricity or upgraded to pipeline-grade gas. When compared to carbon dioxide, this methane gas has 20 times the global warming capability! In addition, this landfill gas consistently produces power rather than relying of the unpredictability of nature.
While costly, several projects have been completed and are operating successfully. In 2009, the University of New Hampshire spent $45 million dollars on the EcoLine, which converts trash into energy. The energy produced by this project allowed then to decrease their natural gas usage by 80%! In January, a public-private Glendale, Arizona project was started that generates enough energy to power 750 homes!
In addition to landfills, there are smaller scale products out there, like the Green Energy Machine, which can be used to covert trash into energy on a smaller scale. While intended for small businesses, the Green Energy Machine is the size of 3 parking spots and coverts 95% of trash into energy.
While not having trash in the landfill would be ideal, this does not seem to be a near future reality. So, if the trash in the landfill can be recycled into a useful commodity, then why not use it? Well, in addition to the expensive price tag, environmentalists find it controversial because trash is not a renewable energy source.
If you want to "go green" and not involve your trash in the process, RePower offers Solar Hot Water and Solar Pool Heating. Call us today for a free estimate at 1-877-975-0222.
Photo Courtesy of Flickr user: D'Arcy Norman.
Posted by Damien Cabral on Wed, Mar 03, 2010
Blog Author: Matt Weiner
For you Artificial Intelligence fans, no, I'm not talking about the date when machines become more intelligent than humans, but instead referring to the convergence of traditional home improvement products with renewable energy systems.
Traditionally, we've regarded our home's major weather protection systems; roofing, siding, windows and gutters as completely separate from our home's energy systems; heating, cooling and electricity. But this is beginning to change. Improvements in technology, especially around solar energy, are encouraging manufacturers of building products to begin to include renewable energy features in their product offerings.
An interesting product targeted for release in 2010 comes from Dow. The PowerhouseTM Solar Shingle integrates low-cost, thin-film CIGS photovoltaic cells into the roofing shingle itself. With this innovative new product, a homeowner who wishes to go solar can simply install this one product rather than a traditional asphalt roof along with an array of solar photvoltaic panels.
Englert Environmental is another manufurer who is offering building products which 
are integrated with renewable energy systems. Their SunNetTM BIPV Systems integrates thin film solar photovoltaic cells with a standing seam metal roof to both protect the home and provide electricity for it's appliances. Englert also offers a solar thermal application installed under the metal roof which is used to provide hot water for the home. This too eliminates the need for separate solar thermal panels for hot water generation.
Repower Home's mission is to identify innovative and maintence free products to homeowners in New England. As these products become available, we will be in the forefront bringing these products to market.
Currently, we offer Schuco's 3rd generation solar hot water system which we believe is the finest solar system on the market. We also install solar pool systems made by Heliocol, the #1 solar pool manufacturer in the world.
Posted by Damien Cabral on Tue, Nov 24, 2009
October 2009
If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you’ve got at least some interest in the topic of renewable energy. Putting it into action though – doing something that will actually make a difference in your community and without a negative impact on your net worth – is where many people get stopped.
So that’s why today’s newsletter (the first of many) is about government incentives: the ways in which our state and federal government will compensate us in return for installing renewable energy products in our homes. Once you understand how these work (not to mention how generous they are), you’ll find the first step much easier to take.
Matt Weiner
President
Repower Home
The Government Wants to Give You Money (really)
I was having a couple of beers the other night with my friend Michael. We play basketball every Tuesday evening, and more often than not, we find ourselves afterwards at the local watering hole up the road.
Michael and I both have teenagers and so it doesn’t usually take long for one of us to start telling stories. This week, the topic was how long our kids spend in the shower and how much it costs in hot water.
That’s when I revealed to Michael my solution to the problem: “Going solar.” I explained that since installing a solar water heating system at my house, a full 75% of my water heating energy comes from the sun.
Here’s how the numbers work…
- The system in my house retails for about $10,000.
- The Federal Government offers a 30% tax credit. Not a tax deduction… a tax credit. A tax credit is a straight reduction in your tax bill equal to 30% of the cost of the system. So $3,000 in my case.
- Here in Massachusetts, the state offers an additional tax credit of 15%, up to $1,000.
So bottom line, the $10,000 system cost me just $6,000 ($10,000 – $3,000 – $1,000). Given my annual water heating bill and the amount I’m now saving, the payback is about eight years.
But that’s not all. The installation of the system itself immediately increased the value of my home. According to this paper from the American Appraisal Institute, for example, for every dollar I save in annual energy costs, my house value goes up by $15.00. So, given my $800 annual energy savings, that’s a $12,000 increase in the value of my home.
How about property taxes? Not a problem. The nice people over at the State House offer an exemption for the installation of a solar hot water system, so there’s no bump in property taxes at all (I told you they were trying to give you money).
So that’s how it works. Thanks to the state and federal government’s eagerness to get you involved in solar energy, you can do as I did and put one of these in your home; without a huge cash outlay in the short term and in a way that more than pays for itself in terms of the value of your house.
(Sorry, still no government programs for getting your teenagers out of the shower sooner.)
P.S. Last year, when I began looking into renewable energy, I found a great website, www.dsireusa.org, put together be the Department of Energy. The site is very easy to navigate and describes all the incentives currently offered. Give it a look.
Matt recommends:
Looking for a great hiking spot with beautiful vistas, but don’t want to travel to western Massachusetts or New Hampshire? Try the Mount Holyoke Range State Park off of Route 116 in Amherst.
The hike takes you through a vast forest of oaks, beeches and hemlocks, and winds past mountain brooks and ponds along the way. If you make it to the top, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of central Massachusetts. At 1,000 feet, it’s not too challenging and can be enjoyed by hikers of all levels.
Home Improvement Tip: Gutter Cleaning
Fall brings beautiful foliage here in New England but that foliage quickly leads to clogged gutters. And clogged gutters may lead to ice dams and other water related problems.
So before the temperatures drop too much, be sure to clean out your gutters or (hint, hint) invest in gutter protection, some of which offer a lifetime performance warranty.
About Repower Home
Repower Home helps homeowners reduce their dependence on fossil fuels by moving to free, sustainable renewable energy. We work exclusively and directly with individual homeowners and take care of everything from site assessment to installation to follow-up. Our products are low-maintenance and guaranteed to last.
Repower Home is part of the Moonworks family of businesses, serving over 40,000 New England customers over 16 years by installing premier home improvement brands, such as Gutter Helmet®, Renewal by Andersen® energy-efficient replacement windows and doors, GAF-ELK® roofing and MASTIC® siding.
Posted by Damien Cabral on Tue, Oct 27, 2009
It’s not Wind
It’s not Solar PV
It’s not Geothermal
It’s not Biomass, or Tidal or even Solar Hot Water (although it’s close behind!)
It’s Solar Pool Heating!
Yes, that’s right, Solar Pool Heating pays for itself faster than any other renewable energy technology.
And not only is Solar Pool Heating the most cost effective, it also has an added benefit:
Pools heated by Solar can be opened earlier in the season (even in April) and can still be warm enough to swim in October (if you’re brave enough to try here in New England!).
Here’s how it works: Solar pool panels (made of PVC piping – think garden hose full of water sitting in the sun) are mounted on your roof. When the sun hits the panels, the cool pool water is cycled through the solar pool panels, heated up and piped back into the pool. Most systems today have simple electronic controls so all this happens automatically. Over the course of the day this process provides plenty of heat to get pools warm in the spring and keep them toasty into the fall.
Anyone who owns a pool knows how expensive it can be to heat a pool even during the summer season (can be as high as $2,000 to $3,000). A solar pool system will usually cost between $4,000-$6,000 making the payback as little as 2 years.
And that doesn’t even include the extended season for devotees of the Polar Bear Swimming Club!
Posted by Damien Cabral on Thu, Aug 20, 2009
I just returned from a trip to Italy and Spain and was very excited to see the progress these countries have been making in adopting solar power. Barcelona recently installed the largest urban solar PV panel in the world. This panel is rated at 1,250 kWh (typical home is 2 to 5 kWh) and is 10,500 square meters in size – quite a sight!
We took a train through the countryside in central Italy and there were solar panels on many of the houses. European countries have continued to support the solar industry (while incentives in the US were dropped in the 80’s). The result is a more advanced solar industry and wider acceptance by the general public.
Now that solar incentives have been extended for eight years, we in the US now have the opportunity to develop a more cost efficient and technologically advanced industry. Wider acceptance will help drive down the cost and help to wean us off of fossil fuels, just as Europe has been doing for the past 30 years!
Posted by Damien Cabral on Fri, Jul 17, 2009
I and my crack team of solar installers just completed two more Repower Home solar thermal installs today. We spent 4 days climbing on hot steep roofs, hoisting solar panels, positioning double glass lined solar tanks and running pipes through dirty attics and tight corners. Not easy work by any stretch of the imagination!
But, the net result was two more Schuco solar hot water systems up running and the elimination of 200,000 pounds of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere.
Definitely well worth the effort!
Posted by Damien Cabral on Wed, Jun 24, 2009
I recently visited my brother who lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. As is typical of Cincinnati in the summer, temperatures were in the 90’s and the humidity was stifling. All around the neighborhood you could hear the buzz of air conditioners working overtime to keep the houses cool.
But even with the A/C seeming running 24/7, the upstairs of my brother’s home was warm while the basement was like a meat locker. I checked out the central air duct work in the basement and found that it was full of leaks preventing the cool air from reaching the upper levels. I also inquired about wall insulation and found they did not have insulation in their walls.
Talk about a money saving opportunity! Sealing the ducts and insulating the house could save as much as 30-40% on energy bills and pay for itself in only a few years. And let’s not forget those sleepless nights roasting in the heat!