Maryland Companies Help You Go Green at Home

By Carrie Oleynik, STAFF WRITER



Since 2006 when BGE announced its 72% rate increase affecting 1.1 million customers, along with Pepco's recent rate increase of about $1.75 per month, finding alternative strategies to save energy has started to pay off for area homeowners.

From using recyclable materials to installing solar hot water systems, making the home more green has become more than a passing trend. To make the process of transforming a home seamless, area companies are offering a variety of affordable services and products - many that provide both energy and financial savings immediately.



Finding Hidden Leaks

The biggest source of energy in the home is the heating and cooling system, and the primary way to lose energy and rack up higher bills is through hidden air leaks in walls, windows, doors, roofs and ductwork. TerraLogos Green Home Services (sister company to TerraLogos Eco Architecture P.C.), located off East 33rd Street in Baltimore, finds and fixes those leaks. Green Home Services' service area includes homes in Baltimore City and County, Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, and Columbia and Howard County.

"A lot of times people gravitate towards fixing their windows, fixing their furnace or putting in solar panels," Peter Van Buren, director of green energy for Green Home Services, said. "While these are all great things to do, they're not the first thing to do. If you've got major leaks going on in your house, you should fix the leaks first."

Some of the most cost-effective projects relate to finding leaks through insulation, air sealing, duct sealing and equipment upgrades. The average cost to correct an air sealing issue is $1,000 to $2,000 and duct sealing is $2,000 per duct system. Insulation is more difficult and the cost depends on what is needed, but typically ranges from $3,000 to $5,000.

Van Buren pointed out that fixing air leaks also improves the indoor air quality of the home and the health quality of everyone living inside it.

"Fixing the leaks first has a better ROI [return on investment]," he said. "You improve the comfort of your home with clean air while improving the value of your home and reducing the home's impact on the environment."



Going Solar

Until about three years ago, Chesapeake Solar, located off Waterloo Road in Jessup, held energy audits before the company shifted its primary focus to solar. The company now offers two main products, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and solar hot water systems, which both significantly reduce energy and costs according to Tim Grahl, residential sales associate of Chesapeake Solar.

"We're helping people reduce their core load of energy at home," Grahl said. "The surprising thing is that people often don't realize how much of energy consumption is hot water."

Reducing 70% to 80% of a home's annual hot water load, solar hot water systems, which run about $8,000 to $9,000 per system, absorb and transfer the sun's heat to create warm water for showers, washing dishes and doing laundry. The PV panels, which can run as low as $15,000 but average $20,000 to $30,000, work to convert the sun's energy directly into electricity.

"Homeowners using solar notice that their energy bills are less starting from day one," Grahl said. "Having a green home can be a distinctive quality for selling your home as homeowners actively reduce their carbon footprint and help to reduce other forms of fossil fuel [use]."



Efficient and Recyclable Products

Other ways to reduce one's carbon footprint while saving money and adding a greater resale value to the home include selecting energy efficient and recyclable products. Amy Cormier, inventory analyst at Reico Kitchen & Bath, said that Energy Star rated lighting and appliances improves the environment by using less energy while helping those suffering from asthma and allergies.

Reico Kitchen & Bath, with locations in Annapolis, Bel Air, Bethesda, Elkridge, Frederick, Salisbury and White Plains, offers formaldehyde-free cabinets with little to no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in the finish or paint, as well as recycling centers.

"Customers can purchase an in-cabinet retrofit kit from Reico," Cormier said. "Adding kitchen recycling centers takes the mess out of managing recyclables."

Alterego, situated just outside of Baltimore, also offers formaldehyde-free and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood cabinetry. According to Patricia Watson, general manager of Alterego, some of the most popular kitchen products include Terra Green Recycled Glass Tiles, made of 55% recycled glass, as well as the LUKE WORKS line of custom concrete cabinetry with recycled glass.

Another way to go green is to install replacement flooring on top of the existing floor. "Adding the flooring makes the home better insulated, and [not] getting rid of the old flooring won't produce more waste in a landfill," noted Ann Fortune, buyer for bluehouse on Fleet Street in Baltimore.

In addition to providing building and flooring materials, bluehouse contains an entire store with funky, yet practical, recycled and recyclable items including a bicycle chain bottle opener ($9.50), doormats and area rugs that are made of overstocked pieces of flip-flops ($22-$64), bangle bracelets made of old 45 rpm records ($44) and a ball or a bone for the dog made out of regrind ($12 each).



Following Easy Tips

The businesses above shared the following advice on quick ways to make a home more green.

¥ Use all natural cleaners.

¥ Sweep or vacuum regularly to preserve the finish and extend the life of flooring.

¥ Change light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs.

¥ Use reusable housewares instead of disposable, including cloth towels and napkins, cloth bags for shopping and rechargeable household batteries.

¥ Review luxury items such as spa tubs, swimming pools or other items that will use a lot of energy and consider how much they are or will be used.