Jax Daily

Brian Pippin is the Conservation Coordinator for JEA and recently took a few moments to answer some of our questions about their solar incentives program as well as other energy conservation issues. Hopefully this information will be helpful to anyone who is currently thinking about installing solar or wind technology in their home…

JaxDaily: What led you to work in this field, and how did you become the Conservation Coordinator for JEA?

Brian Pippin: Prior to this position, I helped our Information Technology group develop business cases for hardware and software related projects. My current boss, Bruce Doueck, came to me and asked if I would be interested in doing a different kind of business case analysis — one in which I would determine the costs and benefits associated with energy and water conservation techniques and products to help our customers choose the right solution for lowering their utility bills. I jumped at the chance and have truly embraced the opportunity to lower JEA’s cost to provide energy and water services, help our customers save money and live more comfortably, all while lessening Jacksonville’s impact on the environment. It is very satisfying work indeed!

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Brian Pippin: JEA’s mission for solar is to do all we can to raise awareness and educate our customers about the benefits of using solar energy. After all, we are the Sunshine State. Solar water heating in particular should be seriously considered. No other renewable option is currently as attainable and cost effective for the average homeowner as using the sun’s energy to heat water. When you factor in the rebates available from JEA, the state of Florida and the tax credit from the federal government, a family of four will have about a 5-year payback.

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Brian Pippin: JEA offers an $800 rebate for solar water heating. We do not provide incentives for photovoltaics, pool heaters or gas water heaters. Simply choose one of our pre-qualified contractors to do the installation and the contractor will credit you the incentive right on their invoice to you. You don’t have to fill out any forms. JEA and the contractors have worked together to make the process as easy as possible. We also offer a rebate of 30 percent of the installed cost ($5,000 maximum) for commercial installations. Any heavy hot water users, such as laundromats and restaurants, should give us a call as solar water heating may significantly reduce their bottom line operating expenses. To learn more, visit www.jea.com/green.

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Brian Pippin: Solar water heating typically costs about $4,500 to install but after factoring in the rebates and tax credits available, you’ll spend about $2,500 out of pocket. A typical family of four is considered a good user of hot water and could expect to save about $30 per month which results in about a 5-year payback. Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert the sun’s rays into usable energy to run your household on. The typical cost for a PV system is about $8,000 to $10,000 per kilowatt installed. A 2,000-square-foot home will need anywhere from a 2-kW system to a 5-kW system based on their energy requirements. The high initial cost for a PV system generally makes the typical homeowner choose to invest in less capital intensive solutions. However, as the green movement continues to grow, the cost of these systems should go down and more financing options will become available, making it more attractive to homeowners.

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Brian Pippin: We promote all forms of renewable energy generation that make sense for JEA, the customer and our environment. Unfortunately, JEA has found that even though we have the needed high winds here in Jacksonville, the winds are not consistent enough to make wind generation an alternative for the utility. However, individual homeowners may find it to be an alternative on a case-by-case basis.

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Brian Pippin: Although JEA does not provide incentives for PV systems, we do offer residential net metering, and we’re looking at the possibility of commercial net metering. Net metering allows customers to receive credit for the energy generated by their PV system and to have it credited against their consumption in a given pay period (month). If the net metering policy did not exist, a homeowner would have to store the energy being generated during the day to be used at night, most likely in a battery.

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Brian Pippin: First and foremost, if you are interested in renewable power generation, do everything you can to lower the energy requirements of your home. You wouldn’t pay to double the amount of gas that goes into your car to make up for all the leaks in the tank. You would fix the leaks first so that you know you are using each and every drop you purchase. In the same manner, you should use energy and water conservation products as much as possible to lighten your load. Don’t forget that changing your behavior can have a huge impact, even more so than conservation products, in determining your success or failure in lowering your utility bill. To learn more about solar PV systems, visit www.fsec.ucf.edu. In addition, visit
www.myfloridagreenbuilding.com to use the PV calculators that are available to help you determine the proper size of the system you will need for your home. Lastly, contact a few solar contractors and ask them to provide you with a free quote on a PV system. Ask for references from their other PV clients and speak to them as well.

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Brian Pippin: Yes. If your intentions for installing solar are to reduce your overall utility bill, then I would recommend you do the following, in this order, before you install solar.

1. Ensure you have adequate insulation in the attic (minimum R-38). (For blown cellulose, that would be about 13 inches worth.)

2. Ensure your ducts don’t leak. Get a duct blaster test done both before and after they have been sealed.

3. Service your HVAC system at least twice a year by a certified contractor.

4. Seal your home around the windows and doors and especially around all plumbing or electrical penetrations.

5. Consider tinting or installing solar screens on your windows if they are not already Low-E.

If you have only one or two people in a home, you should probably consider another alternative to lower your utility bill as the water savings typically isn’t significant.