- Green options: John Wasileski offering, installing alternative energy systems

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Green options: John Wasileski offering, installing alternative energy systems

Times Record
March 12, 2008
Darcie_Moore@TimesRecord.Com


TOPSHAM — Using alternative energy is something John Wasileski said he wanted to do for 20 years as he built senior retirement homes and condominiums — but it was the one component the homes didn't have.

The owner of three retirement and active adult communities, including The Highlands and Highland Green in Topsham, admits, "I was guilty and didn't do it for 20 years," because the conventional energy analysis showed that "it didn't pay off."


But times are changing and Wasileski is leading the pack with a new promotion that began last November, offering free solar-powered hot water systems to people who buy new homes and at cost in existing homes, which need to be retrofitted.

The deal is partly to help combat a slow housing market, acknowledges Jon Leahy, director of marketing and sales for Highland Green. But it also helps the two Topsham communities and Ocean View in Falmouth separate themselves from other communities with the unique promotion. It appeals to customers, he said, and more people are asking about green options.

The company has tracked how people find them on the Web, "And the number one key words at this point are 'Maine green builders.' People are looking for communities that offer these green options, so it seemed like a good fit for our marketing purposes ... as well as getting the solar hot water systems implemented in our community," Leahy said.

Wasileski said the communities he operates have ongoing initiatives and have for many years, in the context of recycling, composting and doing things such as operating their facilities at maximum efficiency to use the least possible resources. "But having said that, we have a long way to go. That's why initiatives like the governor's Carbon Challenge are terrific," he said.

Systems installed
A large-scale solar hot water system has been installed at two community buildings at Ocean View in Falmouth and a similar one is being installed at Cadigan Lodge at The Highlands, Wasileski said. The system is estimated to be able to offset more than 36,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year.

"And, of course, we have several residents at The Highlands estate and Highland Green who are installing solar hot water systems," he said.

Phil Coupe is one of four partner owners of ReVision Energy, a company based in Liberty and Portland, that is installing the systems at Highland Green and The Highlands. He said the systems are a great way to reduce fossil fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.

Ken Thorson had a solar hot water system installed in his new home that was completed in Highland Green in November 2006. His son-in-law is an associate professor of physics at Bowdoin College with knowledge of global warming, he said, and he has encouraged Thorson in that kind of thinking. While the environment was his first concern, Thorson said it is quite expensive to install one of these systems but he knew it would pay for itself during the time he's living in the home. The initial $9,000 cost was reduced with a Maine energy rebate — then at $1,250 — and a $2,000 federal tax credit.

Thorson, 67, moved here from Virginia because his daughter lives in Brunswick. But should he decide to move, the solar hot water system is an attractive feature "that will help sell the house," he said.

Coupe said ReVision Energy, which was previously named Energyworks, installed more than 50 percent of all solar hot water systems and solar electric systems in the state in 2006-07 that qualify for a state rebate. Before they install any system, the company does a comprehensive solar evaluation of the home.

"We use the evaluation to develop a project proposal and a price quote because every home is different," Coupe said. Some homes may not be candidates for systems because of orientation and shading issues.

With federal and state rebates for solar hot water systems, business has picked up for the company, Coupe said. But still, "Right now, it's troubling that it is relatively costly for people to put these systems in. Philosophically, we are looking forward to the time when this can be widely adopted across the income spectrum," he said. "We want to see it become more affordable."

Commercial business could pick up for the company. As of Jan. 1, Coupe said, there is a 35 percent state rebate capped at $10,500 for commercial solar hot water systems and an uncapped federal tax credit of 30 percent. This could be a smart investment for businesses like restaurants and hotels that utilize a lot of hot water, Coupe said.

Wasileski said the state and federal rebates and credits have shortened the cost recovery time from seven to 10 years to about three years. He said the systems range from $6,000 to $10,000. Banks are also opening their doors to this kind of financing, he said.

Mark Battle, Thorson's son-in-law and who also has a solar hot water system, is a scientist and studies the carbon cycle, "which is an integral part of the study of climate change." However, he is not a climatologist.

Battle has been to the South Pole and Greenland to study atmospheric composition indirectly tied to the understanding of climate change. His concern for global warming prompted him to look into a solar hot water system. And it's why he was willing to be patient about the payback on the system.

He has no doubt the climate is changing and that humans are responsible. And while every action like the choice to use a solar hot water system is positive, "I think there are lots and lots of (other) changes that have to happen," he said.

The debate in the scientific community, he said, is not if or when something needs to be done, but "how much warming have we already committed ourselves to?"

The reason it is important to cut down on carbon dioxide emissions, Battle said, is because, "It's very clear that increasing the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere will warm the planet. It will also change the chemistry of the oceans. The warming of the planet will lead to higher sea levels, changes in agricultural production, changes in the spread of infectious disease and changes in the world's economic structure."

There are currently six solar hot water system applications in for The Highlands and 18 at Highland Green. Wasileski said two years ago if he'd approved a solar panel installation, "I might have had four or five abutters that complained about the visual impacts. Today, I'm not getting any comments."

Information

The Highlands and Highland Green have several other green options available, from Energy Star-rated appliances to recycled content carpet. Visit highlandgreenmaine.com for more information.

Visit revisionenergy.com to learn more about ReVision Energy's systems.

Visit efficiencymaine.com to learn about the state's solar program and energystar.gov for federal tax credits for energy efficiency.

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