After completing the Energy Needs Analysis, we realized our biggest fuel costs resulted from heating water (for the horses mostly) as well as heating our home.  The first things we had done were efficiency upgrades including insulating hot water tanks/plumbing, filling and sealing the many air leaks in our almost 100 year old home, changing the indoor lighting to CFLs and replacing outdoor lighting with more efficient and practical solar lighting solutions around the paddocks.

Once we reduced energy consumption and waste, we began implementing solutions that would reduce energy use/costs even more.  A solar air-heating system installed on a south facing roof of our home provides enough heat during the day to keep 2500 sqft. at a cozy 70 degrees when it is 20 degrees outside.  We are still amazed at how this simple technology works so well.  We also decided to install 10kw of solar electricity (96 panels!) on our barn to provide about 1/3 of our electricity use.

Despite the fact that EVERYONE told us solar was too expensive, Jon was able to show us how it could make sense.  With a state rebate of $25,000 and a tax credit of 30% the remaining cost of the system, in addition to MACRS, the PV system will “break-even” in less than 15-years.  We were most impressed with the fact that Lotus Energy was able to deliver on things like the Evergreen PV panels (which every installer we talked to said would be impossible to obtain and certainly not at the price we were quoted by Lotus), as well as being able to keep the labor costs for installation comparable or lower than what was quoted by others.  Based on the Energy Needs Analysis, it looks like a small wind system would work for our location and we are looking at installing a wind turbine next.

We would recommend Lotus Energy to anyone who is concerned about rising energy bills or interested in becoming more sustainable with their energy use.  Thank you for helping us achieve our vision!

-Anne , Dover MA

We originally contacted Lotus Energy because we were interested in the potential of using a wind turbine to power our home.  Our initial disappointment in learning (from the energy Needs Analysis) that wind would not be a viable option, was quickly surpassed when we learned how much money and energy we could be saving with comparatively simple solutions.  In one day’s work, our home received an “energy make-over” and immediately began using less energy.  We were also provided with a handy booklet full of tips to help reduce energy use even more.  Working with Lotus has not only changed the way we look at our daily habits in using energy, but it has saved us hundreds of dollars in energy bills and  reduced our impact on the environment… something that was very important to us.  We would recommend Lotus to anyone.

Geoff and Susan  -  Victoria

“Working with Lotus helped to minimize business operating expenses and improve our bottom-line… permanently. I never thought about how much was being wasted just in lighting and heating until seeing the Energy Needs Analysis. With a combination of improved insulation, lighting retro-fit, and a solar air heating system, our utility costs have dropped 30%.

I was so pleased with the work done, I have now utilized Lotus for my home energy use. We first improved the building envelope (sealing air leaks) and changed most of the home lighting to CFLs. We had solar air heating and solar water heating sytems installed and could not be happier with the results.

With tax credits and utility rebates, the systems should be paid for in only a couple of years. The 50% drop in utility bills at our home is just part of the benefit. Getting heat from the sun is much more satisfying than I could have anticipated (as opposed to dry/forced hot-air!) Our home feels more comfortable, and I feel more comfortable knowing where our energy comes from.”

- Rageen Trivedi, CEO Onpoint Technology Group, Inc.