Natural Awakenings Article - Act Now, Save Now

Bright Alternatives Clients get More Green Bang for the Buck

New Jersey residents in the market for sustainable methods to build or design green, achieve better energy efficiency, or utilize renewable energy solutions often appreciate the no-nonsense, straight talk - free from industry jargon and hype - from Leia Sims and Angus McDougald, owners of Bright Alternatives, a full-service energy consulting and high-performance building company. 

When delivering their money-saving message for soft economic times, Sims and McDougald get excited about the opportunity to educate homeowners and business owners about how to lower utility bills, which ultimately increases attendees' comfort levels.  "Whenever possible, we use our knowledge of state incentives and federal tax credits to help clients finance their projects," advises Sims.

Sims and McDougald are pleased to see that lean economic times and tax incentives are encouraging people to take outside-the-box actions such as greening their home or business.  "There is no better time to think in terms of how energy-efficient buildings save money and natural resources, as well as how they reduce our environmental footprint," notes Sims, whose enthusiasm for smart green practices stems from the environmental activism of her parents.

"Long before it was chic, my parents built a house that created more energy than it used, and they did it with solar, wind, a geothermal system and solar hot water - all renewable energy solutions that Bright Alternatives offers today," Sims explains.  "They were visionaries who even planned the solar orientation of their home before they build it, so they could install photovoltaic panels later."

To prepare for a future in improving energy performance and reducing the impact of buildings on the environment, Sims attended Virginia Tech to study sustainable building practices, and worked with several energy efficiency companies.  In 2002, foreseeing a future that included New Jersey's Home Performance and Energy Star programs, Sims opened up Bright Alternatives.

McDougald, who previously worked with an energy auditing company, jumped in with both feet in 2009 and began performing home energy assessments and retrofits.  Recognizing the consumer impetus created by New Jersey's progressive clean energy programs and incentives when weighed against escalating utility costs, the partners decided to focus on energy efficiency. 

Invest in Solar and Earn a Return

Considered an innovative leader among states, New Jersey's Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) system encourages residential and commercial property owners to invest in solar.  Its SRECs, traded through online exchange companies listed on the New Jersey Clean Energy website, are the most generous in the nation, giving homeowners and commercial businesses approximately $650 for every megawatt-hour of electricity they generate from sun power.  Certificate holders earn direct returns on thier investment through this revenue, in addition to the cost savings on electricity.  "They also benefit form a federal tax credit of 30 percent of the cost of system installation," explains Sims.

Public and Industry Education

As an affiliate of the Building Performance Institute, a national standards development and credentialing organization for residential energy efficiency retrofit work, Sims and McDougald provide training, individual certifications, company accreditations and quality assurance programs.  They also offer site training to help homeowners, maintenance staff and construction teams implement energy-efficient building practices.  "Mostly, we teach contractors, although we have done special programs for the unemployed and have worked with Essex County College to develop their sustainable building curriculum," says McDougald.  The company also works with the Burlington County College Center for Sustainable and Alternative Energy.

Reducing Utility Costs

The primary reason for many calls to Bright Alternatives is the cost of inefficient utilities, which is no longer inexpensive enough to overlook.  After and energy audit, customers have no problem understanding that inefficiency is the cause of high utility bills - and that air sealing spaces, adding insulation, upgrading windows and purchasing a new water heater, furnace or boiler - are solutions. "Our biggest challenge is explaining why someone needs to replace something which could last 10 more years," advises McDougald.  "After they see the numbers and realize that it will cost more to operate the older one, they get it."

State Incentives Help Offset Price

New Jersey's Clean Energy Home Performance with Energy Star program offers a 50 percent rebate, up to $4,000, and a $10,000 loan through Energy Finance Solutions, at zero-percent interest.  "These incentives mean instant savings," enthuses Sims.  Rebates and incentives are subject to change without notice.

How to Get There from Here

A Bright Alternatives step-by-step plan helps the customer move through project phases.  After the audit, a Bright Alternatives proposal details recommendations using the lowest hanging fruit.  "After realizing savings from the easiest and less costly steps, they call us to move onto the next phase."

Sims and McDougald don't mind that today's consumer is more focused on saving money than on how their energy-efficient building impacts the environment in a positive way.  "We have enough passion for the environment to go around," they say with great enthusiasm.

Bright Alternatives, 179 First Ave., Atlantic Highlands 07716.  Call 732-872-7483 or visit BrightAlt.com. 

By Linda Sechrist - Natural Awakenings