Energy Saving ROI’s

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Nest Thermostat
$249 at Amazon

A couple of weeks ago I discussed the Nest Thermostat.  (See that article here.)  One of the questions I have when I see something like this is whether there is return on investment (ROI) or in the case of green technology, is it Green That Saves Green?

According to Remodeling Magazine a programmable thermostat has a payoff in 1-10 years depending on the thermostat installed and the situation in which it will be used.  I’ve included some bare bones excerpts here, but for the complete article, check out page 40 in the November 2012 issue of Remodeling Magazine here.

Programmable Thermostat – Materials: $50-$350, Labor: 1-3 hrs, Estimated ROI: <1yr – 10yr

Low Flow Faucets & Fixtures – Materials: $1-$500+, Labor: 15 min – 4 hrs, Estimated ROI: <1yr – 5yr

Tankless Water Heater – Materials: $1,500-$3.500, Labor: 4-8 hr, Estimated ROI: 5yr – 15yr

Air Sealing – Materials: $50-$6,000, Labor: 4-40 hrs, Estimated ROI: <1yr – 8yr

Insulation – Materials: $200-$10,000, Labor: 4-100 hrs, Estmated ROI: 5yr – 15yr

On Demand Circulation Pump – Materials: $50-$150, Labor: 4-6hrs, Estimated ROI: 1yr – 2yr+

* The labor estimates above do not include travel time.

HepCats at Sand Hill Farm?

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A recent post on the SRA Blog talked about the new HepCat Loft Development in Warsaw, Indiana.  It’s an interesting concept and one I might consider including in our Sand Hill Farm Development when it moves forward.  There is not much in the way of what I would call “loft space” developed as such in Culver.  Most of the spaces above the downtown buildings have been developed as more traditional apartments such as what Susie Mahler has created above Cafe Max.  (Listing with pictures here.)  Jan Nanini’s building at 110 North Main Street took the old Masonic Lodge on the second floor and subdivided it into apartments as well.  (You’ll need to go to Jeff Kenney for better history of that building.  He tells us it’s haunted here.)  Others, such as the space above Fisher & Co. have been left undeveloped and have been relegated to storage.

Loft image borrowed from americanlisted.comWhen I think of “Loft Space” I think of open concept and high ceilings, generally having exposed trusses and often having spiral duct HVAC systems.  (I love Google Image search, but it’s frustrating when I look through so many pictures and don’t find exactly what I want.  This time I came pretty darn close!)  It is very much the look Larry Surrisi went for in the original design of The Edgwater Grille (now The Lakehouse Grille) in Culver.  There are more of these spaces in Plymouth.  We worked on a loft space at the site of the old Moose Lodge and George Schricker has developed some loft apartments above the former Vine Restaurant as well.

Image borrowed from SRA blog siteThis is very much what RW Kidd Construction has gone for in their concept design; the difference being that instead of rehabbing existing abandoned second floors of buildings, they have used “Loft Space” as a style for their new construction.  It is somewhat of a minimalist style that should lend itself to some cost savings.  It looks like RW Kidd had outfitted them at a fairly high level though to go along with the HepCat theme, which has reintroduced costs.

I like the flat roof patios.  I’m picturing them along the east property line of the Sand Hill Farm Development where they would look out over the baseball diamonds.  It could be an interesting concept there.  I also like the multifamily format.  I think some  limited mix of this type of building could fit well in my mixed use scheme.  As mentioned above, it would be something different for Culver.  I also wonder if it could be modified to work with a more traditional loft theme where there could be some home-based retail on the first floor, possibly moving the garage entrance to the back off of an alley.  There’s potential here!

I’m in Warsaw enough that I will need to swing by and see them in person.  There are quite a few pictures at the HepCat Loft Development site listed above, so check them out if you’re interested.  Let me know what you think.  Is this something that could work in Culver?

Nest Thermostat

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It’s pretty well known that an easy way to save energy (and money!) is to turn your thermostat down.  To do this without being there, the choice has always been the programmable thermostat.  These come in several varieties with the ultimate being a seven day programmable stat which allowed you to program different settings for weekdays and weekends.  The problem has always been the programming.  Even on the best of these units, it wasn’t easy.

The Nest Thermostat has eliminated the programming part of this equation by introducing a learning mode.  Yes, it saves time and money by learning your household patterns and programming itself.

On top of the self-programming features, if you have a wireless network, the device can be accessed from the web through your computer or smart phone.  Forgot to set it to vacation mode before you hit the road?  No problem.  Making a quick trip up to the cottage and want it warmed up or cooled off before you get there?  Easy!  Wake up in the middle of the night with that bad feeling about pipes freezing at the cottage?  Log on and check it out!

Now in it’s second generation, the Nest thermostat is sleek and stylish.  It doesn’t look like your typical thermostat and it catches your eye with it’s cobalt blue face and reflective metal surround.  The second generation has added more compatibility with different types of heating and cooling systems, it has reduced the depth of its profile and it is still available for $249 at Amazon.com  Not exactly a cheap device, but it does a lot!

Lennox offers their Icomfort Wi-Fi touchscreen thermostat which takes advantage of remote monitoring as well.  It provides the accessibility, but not the learning functions or the accessibility to as many other heating and cooling systems available with the Nest.  It’s not quite as stylish in my opinion.  It is also more expensive, listed at $299 at Bonanza.com

In either case, in the long run, I think this is Green That Saves Green.  If you aren’t using a programmable thermostat and by starting save $20 per month, you will have it paid off in a couple of years.  From there on it is money back in your pocket.