Green Energy Adds Value to Your Home

Before beginning a major renovation, comparing renewable vs. traditional energy source pricing can yield surprising results.

Evan Lewitas, an energy consultant at Long Island-based Green Logic Energy, pulls no punches when talking about renewable energy systems. In fact, this chairman of the Green Building Committee of the National Association of Remodeling Industry gets right down to dollars and sense, before—and after—the renovation.

“Think about resale value in today’s market,” says Lewitas. “The home that comes with no operating expenses will have a higher resale than a house with traditional mechanical’s. On average, renewable energy components SAVE (CHECK) $2,000 per year, so over a 20-year period, that’s $40,000 in reduced operating costs.

”The mechanical’s Lewitas refers to are your home’s heating and cooling systems. His company, which has offices in Southampton, Manorville, Cutchogue and Roslyn, is a local leader in solar and geothermal installations. “When you do a major renovation, you put the costs of these systems into a mortgage just like you would do with traditional, non-renewable mechanical’s. And the way the tax and utility incentives are now, you can add solar to mitigate the renovation expansion operating costs.”

Up on the rooftop, solar panels and solar hot water systems can help homeowners save big. Working with architects and builders, Green Logic ensures that sure roof designs will safely accommodate these solar units.

For example, with the addition of a solar hot water heater, which captures heat from the sun and transfers it to an anti-freeze-like liquid that is pumped around your water heater, the amount of energy needed even from traditional, gas- or oil-fired burners is offset. The solar loop heats up water outside the tank, and can even hold hot water at temperatures between 120 and 130 degrees.

“It’s like getting a free tank of hot water each day to do laundry and take showers. Depending on lifestyle changes, you can heat your water totally free. For example, if you do laundry by 10 a.m., the tank can reheat itself by the end of the day,” adds Lewitas.

Then, energy captured from solar panels can power the home, and more importantly, other renewable energy devices (such as a geothermal heat pump) that are part of an integrated system.

“If you are remodeling just a kitchen, geothermal doesn’t make sense. But for a whole-home renovation, think about it,” heeds Lewitas. “If the home needs a new boiler, and air-conditioning, too, it’s a smart choice to look at. They are quiet, don’t require an outside compressor, and give much more consistent heat. Most people who choose geothermal also use it for radiant floor heat.”

Connect with Green Logic Energy: www.greenlogic.com

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