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Roof problem has solar solution for Connecticut family

“It’s hard to believe, but it all started with the worn-out shingles on the roof.”
That’s how Mike Tarnasky begins the story of his house transformation, completed recently by Connecticut’s leading “green energy” companies, CT Solar Services

Tarnasky’s house, which he bought new in 1990, looks like a typical “builder’s Colonial” as you head up the gravel driveway on the north side of the property. But the view changes dramatically when you walk around the house. From this backyard vantage point, the home’s new green personality is evident, in the form of an impressive array of solar panels that have been installed on the south-facing roof.

“This is really a unique project,” explains Walter Erickson, a renewable energy specialist at CT Solar Services. “It’s one of the most comprehensive and well-integrated renewable energy upgrades we’ve completed. The 10-kilowatt PV system has the capability to cut the Tarnasky’s electric bill by as much as 90%,” he explains. “Under the right conditions, the solar thermal system has enough capacity to handle 100% of the household’s hot water needs.”

Renewable energy technology is more efficient and more affordable than ever before
The term “PV” is short for photovoltaic –the technology that makes it possible to transform the sun’s radiant energy into electricity. A “solar thermal” system harnesses sunlight in a different way, heating water that can be used for household washing tasks, for whole-house heating, or both, depending on how the system is designed.

Until recently, renewable energy technology was too expensive for most people to utilize. But several factors are making solar energy more accessible for average middle-class families. Federal, state and local programs offer incentives such as rebates, tax breaks and low-interest loans for renewable energy upgrades. Global competition to design and manufacture PV, solar thermal and other renewable energy products has driven prices down while upping system efficiencies. And finally, companies like CT Solar Services have been able to recruit and train a new generation of “green” technicians familiar with the latest tools, techniques and products in the renewable energy field.

A renewable energy makeover that began with worn-out shingles and an outdated boiler
Mike and Mary Tarnasky began to pay more attention to their house when their daughter and four young grandchildren moved in with them. “The two of us were OK bundling up in the winter to save on heating oil and coping without air conditioning in the summer,” Mike recalls, “but we realized that our daughter and grandchildren needed to be a little more comfortable.”

The Tarnaskys had several house issues to deal with. The building’s original roof shingles needed to be replaced. So did the heating system’s water boiler. Then there was the possibility of installing central air conditioning. “I started out getting bids from separate contractors for the roof, the boiler and the AC,” Mike explains. “But we also wanted to investigate the possibility of a solar system because of how much sun our house gets throughout the year.”

Mike contacted CT Solar Services after visiting the company’s website (www.ctsolarservices.com). After visits from company owner Bruce Angeloszek and energy expert Walter Erickson, the project became more ambitious but less complicated. “I know that sounds confusing,” says Mike, “but Walter explained that he could coordinate all the improvements so that I wouldn’t have to deal with a bunch of different contractors. This removed a lot of anxiety.”

Over the course of seven work days, the Tarnasky’s house underwent a major transformation. As soon as the new roof shingles were on, the CT Solar crew began installing solar panels while techs replaced an outdated boiler with a super-efficient German unit. Opting for a new hydro-air heating system meant that the old, ugly hot water baseboard heating elements could be removed. In their place, a carpenter installed new baseboard molding that looks attractive and gives every room a little more floor space.

Today the same sunlight that caused the top floor to bake on sunny summer days is powering a new central air conditioning system and also providing family members with free hot water. While he awaits software that will allow him to track his energy savings on a home computer, Mike is checking his electric meter daily to see how effectively his PV system is working. “It’s strange how things can change,” Mike observes. “For years we lived in this house thinking that the sun was a major problem. As it turns out, the sun is a great solution. It’s great to be comfortable and to be saving so much money on our electric bill.”