Energy Efficiency in New Jersey – South Jersey Blogs

This will be my final post on the energy efficiency projects. Again, my husband Michael and I documented our energy efficiency projects from January 2010 to January 2011. It has been a pleasure writing about them, and I hope that this information will be of assistance to someone out there trying to work toward a more energy-efficient lifestyle. We might add other blog posts as time goes by.

It has been an interesting experience for me as I have gained knowledge of the Natural Gas business (because of my contract with Philadelphia Gas Works), knowledge of household energy efficiency because of how our many projects unfolded throughout the year, and an understanding of alternative energy from reading countless books, magazine and newspaper articles over more than 2 years.

Take care,

Sonina Matteo

Sunny energy efficiency energy efficiency

For one of our final projects of 2010 we installed EMCO/Anderson Storm Doors. I gave it to my husband for his Christmas present.
With this Storm Door (double) we were eligible for the “energy efficient improvement” which includes exterior doors for a taxpayer’s prinicipal residence.

Storm Doors eligible for Federal Tax Credit

The federal tax credit is for the cost of the product only and does not include installation costs. We kept the sales receipt and are using that for our 2010 taxes which we are going to do in April 2011.
The tax credit is 30% of the amount paid for the product up to a maximum of $1500. I paid about $450 for the doors.

Adding an exterior door such as a storm door can contribute significantly to air leakage in a house, as well as some heat transfer (even if the house is not old), if it is not properly installed and/or not properly air sealed. Any of these can result in energy losses. We were experiencing energy loss through our front door as per our energy audit (Click on our Energy Audit blog category to the right for more info.). The doors help with air leakage, but also with bringing sunshine and heat into the house directly. We hadn’t even thought of the doors doing that until we opened them fully, the morning after installation.

Sunny Energy Audit, South Jersey Blog - General, energy efficiency energy efficiency, federal tax credit 2010, storm doors

Reminder South Jersey residents – that all gas leaks or gas-related emergencies should immediately be reported. Here is a story that is close to home (just across the bridge) in Philadelphia.
This video of a Natural Gas explosion in Philadelphia might be the only live footage ever taken before, during and after the actual incident.
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/breaking/Dramatic_Video_of_Tacony_Explosion_Philadelphia-114181874.html

On the night of January 18, 2011, Mark Keeley (19), a first responder from Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW) since September 2010, lost his life while responding to a leak in a high pressure gas main in the Tacony section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The gas explosion injured four other PGW workers and a Philadelphia firefighter. Mark Keeley’s father at the time, Thomas Keeley, had been an employee of PGW as a pipe mechanic for 17 years.

In the PGW corporate culture, historically and today, it is not unusual for fathers to help bring on their sons, uncles to bring on their nephews and mothers to find their daughters a job within the company. It was always considered a day of celebration when a family member started work. They had entered a new and bigger family–the PGW family.

It was unfortunate. Very experienced men were on the job, but this is a constant reminder that gas is dangerous stuff. Gas is given great respect by these PGW men who work with it on a daily basis.

PGW is a company that started around 1836, is owned by the City of Philadelphia, and is the largest municipally owned gas utility in the country.

Unfortunately, this tragic accident resulted in the loss of this 19-year old young man from Fox Chase, Philadelphia. His family and friends mourned and so did the City of Philadelphia. As a sign of respect, Mayor Nutter requested that all City flags be lowered to half-staff until after his funeral services.

Natural Gas deaths are actually rare, and one of the few that PGW has ever experienced for one of its employees. If you research the history of PGW and natural gas –you will find out that it is known for its safety and reliability in gas distribution, infrastructure repairs, and more.

My heart goes out to the friends and family of the young Keeley boy. This blog is dedicated to him. I can’t imagine the pain the family must be in. God Bless.

Sunny Alternative Energy, South Jersey Blog - General energy-related videos, gas explosion, Natural Gas

We were surprised to hear in late 2010 that there is a follow up by the state of NJ on energy audits. That is fine, but again, we needed to open up our home and coordinate someone to come. They came a few weeks ago and looked at the overall job that Powell Energy and Solar did for us in their audit. It is basically a check up on companies that do the energy audits.
All was fine. Powell Energy and Solar is a very professional company and did very well.

The guy from the State went over a few other items that we might have missed.

In short an energy audit identifies where energy is consumed and how much energy is consumed in our home. The Information that we gather from the energy audit can be used to introduce conservation measures. Our energy audit, detailed in an earlier blog, identified economically justified, cost-saving opportunities that is helping us in significantly lowering electrical and natural gas (as well as water) costs.

Sunny Energy Audit, South Jersey Blog - General

Wishing you a healthy, happy and energy efficient New Year.
Our year of living energy efficient goes into 2011.
Just wanted to catch up on a few things that went on in the 4th quarter of 2010. Our energy efficient products purchased during 2010 (b/c the previous appliances broke) included: Maytag Dishwasher and LG refrigerator–both having Energy Star ratings; as well as Dr. Heater infrared heater (room heater).

We will continue to buy energy efficient products in 2011 and 2012 if our existing ones break or as needed.

Sunny Energy Audit energy star

Happy New Year.
2011 brings a more competitive electric and gas market to residential users.
Shop around today and you will find a 5 to 10% savings in some cases.
There was a recent report by RESA – Retail Energy Supply Association about competition.
This report shows data to support the fact that residential and commercial energy choice continues to grow.

http://www.resausa.org

Here’s more information on competitve suppliers of energy in New Jersey.

http://www.newjerseynewsroom.com/commentary/competition-in-new-jerseys-electricity-marketplace-couldnt-come-at-a-better-time

Sunny Alternative Energy Competitive Energy Suppliers

Before we talk about SREC, let’s talk about RPS. Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) are laws that vary state-to-state and that require utilities to add renewable energy to their portfolio of power generating technologies. In other words, utilities are required to use renewable energy for a certain percentage of their generated power. The RPS required percentages vary in different states, and are phased-in over varying lengths of time.  New Jersey’s Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (RPS) requires 2.12% Solar by 2021.

One way the Electric Company can meet their RPS is by purchasing buying SRECs (Solar Renewable Energy Credits) from producers of solar energy. These purchased SRECs cost the utilities less than the Compliance payments for not meeting their standards. 

For owners of Solar Panels, each time a system generates 1,000 kWh of electricity, an SREC is earned. SRECs can then be sold on the SREC tracking system, providing revenue for the first 15 years of the system’s life.

As SRECs are traded in a competitive market, the price may vary significantly.  The actual price of an SREC during a trading period can and will fluctuate depending on supply and demand.

How SRECs are priced?  Well, there is no assigned value to an SREC.  Prices are influenced by supply and demand. The supply is determined by the number of solar installations producing SRECs and trading them. The demand is determined by individual state RPS solar requirements and the Solar Alternative Compliance Penalty (SACP) set by the state.  The RPS solar requirement represents the number of SRECs that the electric suppliers are required to collect each year. The SACP represents a theoretical maximum value of an SREC, since it is the amount paid per SREC by the electric suppliers if they do not collect enough SRECs.  In states, such as New Jersey, where the SACP in 2010 is $693, SRECs are worth more than a state with an SACP of $250.

Following is the New Jersey RPS compliance schedule. It shows the path to 2021, the point where the utilities have to obtain 22.5% of their generated electricity from renewable sources. Of this, a certain minimum part must be from solar, although solar can contribute more than the minimum percent – up to 100% without any penalty.

New Jersey RPS Schedule:

6/1/10  Solar – 0.3050%; Total – 8.297% 

6/1/11  Solar – 0.3940%; Total – 9.214% 

6/1/12  Solar – 0.4970%; Total – 10.14% 

6/1/13  Solar – 0.6210%; Total – 11.098% 

6/1/14  Solar – 0.7650%; Total – 12.072% 

6/1/15  Solar – 0.9280%; Total – 13.077% 

6/1/16  Solar – 1.1180%; Total – 14.103% 

6/1/17  Solar – 1.3330%; Total – 16.158% 

6/1/18  Solar – 1.5720%; Total – 18.247% 

6/1/19  Solar – 1.8360%; Total – 20.365% 

6/1/20  Solar – 2.1200%; Total – 22.5%

Michael Solar Panels SREC SRECS SOLAR PANEL

On October 29th, I had a conference call with Home Depot, Green Energy and myself to determine why I did not get my full refund from my Solar panel deposit. Home Depot held back $860 for site surveys and drawings during the process. I don’t feel there should be any charges for the drawings because none of the drawings submitted were permitted by zoning and could not be used.

I recapped what had happened indicating the installer and sales person did not do their home work and check with the zoning board of our town prior to doing a site survey and drawings of the panels. I didn’t think it was fair for me to have to pay for a product I could not use.The Client Representative from Green Energy, Deloris T., was immediately confrontational. She really did not want to hear anything I had to say. She indicated that the contract states that you have 3 days to cancel and if you don’t you have to pay for any service rendered. She indicated that zoning is not checked until the drawings are submitted.

I contended that all of that may be true, but I depend on Green Energy and Home Depot to be professional and experienced enough ensure or tell the customer to ensure the target location is permitted by zoning. I told her I wanted to talk to the installer’s manager and see if this is the normal operation procedures for all customers.
The Regional Operation Manager came on the phone and indicated that when installing solar panels that customer has to pay for surveys and drawings even if the zooming board rejects the location.
I told him at no point did anyone indicate to me that I would have to pay anything if the panels could not be installed in the agreed upon location. There were questions about the location from the very beginning and I asked the installer to call the town before he did any work.
He offered to cut a few hundred dollars off the cost, down to $550. I said no.

I told him that the only thing I should have to pay for is maybe the site survey, because once the installer came out he should have told me that I we needed to check the zoning laws prior to starting the work.
I asked him if it’s in the procedures for the installer to inform the customer to check with zoning. He said that was in the operations guide. I said “Thank you” send me that page so I can use it in small claims court. The installed obviously did not do his job.
The Regional Operations Manager then offer to let me pay for only the Site Survey $320. Though I was not happy about that, I guess if he had done his job he would have told me to check zoning when he came out for the site survey. And I would have been required to pay for the survey.

Just seems to me that any good company would not charge for a product that the customer could not use, no matter what the fine print says.

–Mike Matteo

Sunny Solar Panel Projects green energy people, home depot, refund, Solar Panels

So, we are trying to wrap up the entire project with Solar Panels this weekend (We hope). As much as we wanted to get them, we could not get them as a result of a lack of placement on our property. However, we were charged for a site survey and more.
Anyway, the story below is more about what happens when a customer does the research, tries to get solar panels, can not get them because the placement/location did not work out and then tries to get a refund.

It is not a pretty picture and not for the weak-of-heart. Here are the email documents to show what happened. All correspondence is between Michael Matteo and Green Energy People, LLC. Similar correspondence were sent to Home Depot to try to get a refund.

1)
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2010 10:21 AM
To: ‘roy
Subject: Solar Panel Refund

Roy,
Thanks for taking my call this morning. As you know, I had to cancel my Solar Panels because the township zoning laws would not permit me to install them in the location stated on the sales agreement.
As I stated, Home Depot only refunded me $2140 out of the $3000 deposit I put down on my solar panels.
As you indicated, they held back $860 for site surveys and drawings during the process. I don’t feel there should be any charges for the drawings, because none of the drawings submitted were permitted by zoning. Both the Sales person and the installer did not check the township zoning laws prior to doing any drawings.
The bottom line is I was never submitted a drawing that was even feasible to use. I don’t feel like I should pay for work that was not functional for the customer. I depend on the installer being the professional and do their homework prior to doing any work.
I expect and depend on Green Energy People and Home Depot not to charge for services that the customer cannot use — and would expect to be refunded the full amount as soon as possible.

——————-

2)
Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 3:35 PM
To: ‘roy (Green Energy)
Subject: RE: Solar Panel Refund

Roy,
Any update on this?
It’s been 3 weeks and I have not heard anything.

———-

3)
Sent: Monday, October 11, 2010 8:39 AM
To: ‘roy
Subject: RE: Solar Panel Refund

Roy,
Is it possible to at least get a response to this?
It’s now been 5 weeks and nothing.
————

Addressed to our Green Energy Salesperson
4)
Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 4:38 PM
To: ‘roy; robinf (Green Energy)
Subject: RE: Solar Panel Refund

Robin,
Since you boss does not even have the courtesy to even email me back, I was wondering if you can do anything on your end about getting me my full deposit back.
I don’t feel like I should have to pay for a product that I could not use. You can read the email chain to get all the details.
They held back $860 for “work” that was done. The bottom line is, there was not “work” done that I could actually use (and should not have to pay for).
—————————
5)

Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 1:12 PM
To: mike (Green Energy)
Subject: FW: Solar Panel Refund

Hi Mike,
I just wanted to let you know that I cannot recommend you company to any of my neighbors and would high discourage them from using your company after the treatment I’ve received in trying to find out about getting the $860 that was withheld from a refund on my deposit.
If you read this email chain, you will see on September 7th I sent Roy Land a detailed email asking him to look into it for me. Since then, I’ve emailed him 3 times and Robin once, asking them look into getting the balance of my refund returned.

Keeping $860 for work that could not be used is one thing, but any good company would respond to customer and give the status one way or the other. This is unacceptable treatment.

——————
6)
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 3:39 PM
To:
Subject: RE: Solar Panel Refund
Dear Mr. Matteo

I agree, it was absolutely wrong that you did not get a reply. I spoke about this with Roy and I will take measures here to insure that this does not happen again.
Your information regarding your complete refund was forwarded to our top client representative, Delores Travis. I believe we can get swift action from Delores.
If you do not hear from her by next Wednesday, please reach out to me.

Cordially,

Mike Berkowitz
President
GREEN ENERGY PEOPLE, LLC
Authorized Home Depot Service Provider
www.greenenergypeople.com
———————–

(below are a few of the messages to Home Depot)
—–Original Message—–
From: Matteo, Michael
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 11:25 AM
To: ‘latoya_m_davis (Home Depot)
Subject: RE: Solar Panel Refund

Hi Lotoya,

I was wondering if you could help me with my Complaint # 50097694. As you can see from the email below I talked to you about 2 weeks ago and you forwarded my information on to Georgette.

Well, add to the list below, one more message to Claude (that makes 4) and now 2 to Georgette and I STILL have not receive ONE update on my complaint since September 7th. In fact I have not even talked to Claude since September 7th.

Not ONE callback from 6 messages left. And I’ve called a minimum of 50 times. No one ever picks up their phone.

This is NOT good customer service. If fact it’s TERRIBLE.

Could you provide me with Georgette’s bosses name, email, and phone number?

Thanks

-Mike Matteo

—–Original Message—–
From: Matteo, Michael Sent: Friday, October 15, 2010 12:54 PM
To: Matteo, Michael ; ‘latoya_m_davis(homedepot)’
Subject: RE: Solar Panel Refund

Lotoya,

As usual, no one called me yesterday about my complaint (Complaint # 50097694) even though you guaranteed me I’d get a call.

Why should I be surprised, this was the 3rd time this week someone guaranteed me I would get a call and it did not happen.

Add to that the 3 messages I left Claude who never called me back.

It’s been 7 weeks and I have not gotten ONE update — even though I’ve called 3 times and left messages 3 times.

Is this how your company conducts customer complaints?

-Mike Matteo
————————–
From: Pound, Georgette [mailto:GEORGETTE_POUND (homedepot)]
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 7:48 PM
To: Matteo, Michael
Subject: RE: Complaint # 50097694

Mr., Matteo,

I am out of the office tomorrow, Thursday, October 28th, however, I would like to do a conference call with you and a representative from Green Energy surrounding the handling of your refund and the handling of your project on Friday, October 29th.

Please advise what would be a good time to call you to discuss this matter. I will await to hear from you.

Best Regards,

Georgette Pound

The Home Depot – Store Support – Customer Service

SUPERVISOR

2455 Paces Ferry Road NW- Bldg B3

Atlanta, GA 30339
——————-

Sunny Solar Panel Projects green energy people, home depot, refund, Solar Panels

Even though it is cloudy we are still generating electric. We now have a digital meter outside that shows how much we put in the grid and how much we use. The contractor is coming out on Monday and going to show us how to read, set up the system and give us a manual that is in numerical order. Chris keeps checking on it every hour to see how much it is generating. The system totally shuts off when it is dark outside.

It is going to take months before we can actually get the SREC money because the state has to issue us the number. With that number we have to go on the Internet, request our state rebate and then it will take several months to receive a check. I thought they would just send us a check after the inspector came out.

Early fall 2010
–Crispin Rd. Neighbor
D&C

Sunny Solar Panel Projects SREC