In celebration of the completion of my first full year as a national instructor with EcoBroker International, I have decided to start a new blog series about my travels. This post marks the first of that series.
I’ll be writing on the amazing places to which I’m lucky enough to travel, the incredible and interesting people I meet, and, most importantly, the industry-leading green initiatives, contractors, and technologies I discover across the country. I hope it’s as much of a boon to your green education and research as it appears it will be to my content.
This time I’ll cover (in short snippets): a national-industry-leading renewable installer on the North Fork of Long Island, New York’s tremendous yet seemingly unknown energy-efficient opportunities, super-efficient water heating, repurposed luminescent artwork, and what I have come to call Hamptonian Malaise.
Overview: When I learned of my most recent teaching assignment with one of New York’s most prestigious real estate offices, Prudential Douglas Elliman, I had mixed emotions, especially after I was told by a friend that “those New Yorkers [were] going to eat [me] alive.” When I realized, however, that the location, Bridgehampton, is one of the famed “Hamptons,” I decided that it couldn’t be all that bad… right?
Fortunately, EVERY SINGLE person I met during my near week-long journey was not only kind and polite, most of those with whom I had interactions were absolutely lovely people… even in my transitions through New York City.
The weather, on the other hand, was not so lovely. Frigid, blustery, and damp were the standard… MUCH colder and less inviting than sunny, warm Boulder at this time of the year.
Pros: The company I kept, my host real estate firm, unmatched hospitality, the Atlantic Ocean, beautiful (and feminine) geography and beaches, history, architecture, amazing renewable energy technologies, huge potential for green education, wine country, and the food.
Cons: The weather, Sunday drivers, the sheer size of most homes, a current lack of environmental concern, the off-season nightlife, the cost of poker lessons, and a seemingly latent, sustained bowling injury to my left rotator cuff (which must have been caused by my new ”handshake-style” release).
Renaissance renewables: The guys (and gal) at Eastern Energy Systems (e2sys, for those in the know) are doing something that I have yet to see anywhere else in the country: design, sales, and install of ALL the best onsite renewable energy technologies for their market. They’ve got a one-stop-shop for Energy Ratings, Solar PV, Solar Thermal, Geothermal and On-Site Wind Power. Sun-tracking solar PV; they have it. Ground mount systems and roof mounts; they do ‘em. These enterprising young entrepreneurs can sell and install wind turbines, solar pool and patio heating, closed and open loop geothermal systems, etc… and the list is rapidly growing. I could honestly go on for pages (which I won’t). To help educate the public, e2sys even holds open houses every Saturday starting at 11:00AM during the warmer months so that interested parties can see demonstrations of all offered systems functioning in their natural environments, so to speak. I was so incredibly impressed with the group, their offerings, and their model that I made sure to get a picture with the team in their basement. This way, in the future when they’re green-famous, I’ll have proof that I knew them when…
Opportunities abound: New York, with a wonderful rebate program very similar to that of Colorado, access to the renewed Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for onsite renewables, some of the highest energy rates in the country (+/- $0.18/kWh), noteworthy solar and geothermal potential, and (at least as I observed) good regional wind potential, might be one of the best places I’ve been for energy efficient retrofits and onsite renewable potential. Remember, the higher the energy costs in a given area, the greater the return on energy-efficient investment. There is also a great stock inventory of older homes which need work, most of which get that work at point of sale. A real estate professional in the Hamptons has quite a unique opportunity to do some great educational work with their clients to improve standing home inventory and reduce the Earth Impact of homes in their region. I’d love to know if the rest of the state has the same potential.
Water, water everywhere: The Atlantic Ocean and the lakes, ponds, and inlets in the Hamptons aren’t the only source of standing water. Oversized vacation homes that make up much of the local housing inventory also contain relatively huge amounts water, also. These homes, with seemingly miles of radiant heating pipe and plumbing, not to mention the compulsory swimming pool and/or hot tub, use and heat a lot of water. Luckily, there are at least two hot water contractors who are very intelligently using free solar energy to heat domestic hot water, indoor spaces (via radiant and hydronic systems), and pools/hot tubs. The guys at e2sys, as previously mentioned, are on the case, but now I’d like to tell you about one of the most knowledgeable plumbing and HVAC contractors I’ve yet had the privilege to meet: Gil Tastrom with Airborne Heating & Air Conditioning. Having been in the business for decades, Gil has had some time to figure out what works. Sure, Mr. Tastrom installs Solar Thermal water and space heating systems, but his face really lit up when telling me about Viessmann oil and gas fired boilers. From the efficiency, to the advanced control systems to the simplistic maintenance, these units are bar-none the best on the market. As I’m only a real estate expert, let Gill tell you more (in his jubilantly animated style).
Luminescent visionary: A thousand points of light, a term popularized by presidential speech-writer Peggy Noonan, is perhaps the best way to describe the Eco-Chic lighting designs of Helen Gifford of the aptly named art-lighting design firm, HelenBilt. Her exquisite fixtures and installations are all fashioned from repurposed incandescent bulbs at her studio in Southampton. Aside from adaptive materials reuse, and local production, both of which reduce the overall carbon impact of her fixtures, Ms. Gifford continues to donate her fixtures to worthwhile events and causes which greatly benefit from the high auction prices they fetch. Her light sculptures can be seen in-person at such locations as the “Ritz Carlton, Beijing, the penthouse duplex in New York City’s Hilton Hotel, San Diego’s W Hotel, and the new W Fort Lauderdale, opening in March of 2009.” You might also notice one of her high-end commissioned fixtures next time you’re hanging out in the home of Rachel Weisz, Gwyneth Paltrow, or Darren Starr. Helen, by the way, also happens to be a terrific bowler and travels around the Hamptons, like a red-neck Samurai with her own ball (also named Helen) at the ready, awaiting the challenge of a worthy adversary. Think, Jeffrey Lebowski meets Kambei Shimada meets (a small-scale version of) Maya Lin. Riveting!
The Hamptonian Malaise: This symptom of long-held old beliefs and knowledge could just as easily be called “your-name-here-ian Malaise.” When talking with people in the real estate and building industry anywhere in the country, I’m never surprised to see how quickly folks get squeamish at the thought of increased purchase price, home health concerns, increased liability, or, God forbid, changing antiquated building and selling practices. A handful of times in my class, as is typical, I’d introduce a concept only to be instantly met with a flurry of conversation and outbursts that sounded, to me, distinctly like “that can’t be done here.” This is not uncommon. It is, in fact, the general public crying out for education and information, and it’s the job of a good real estate agent to provide just that. By the time I left, several of my students (keep in mind these are top Realtors in their markets) were ready to go out and cure this ill feeling. They understand that green homes are built to higher standards, are more quiet, comfortable, healthy, and have the highest lifetime value and appreciation of any home. They understand that the principles of lifecycle cost, payback period, cost equilibrium. They understand energy efficient and healthy home technologies. Do you?
Overall, my experience in the Hamptons could not have been more educational or uplifting. I found myself riveted time and time again. If you ever have the opportunity to go, I certainly recommend it. Once you’ve decided to purchase your Hampton vacation home, or perhaps relocate and brave the winters, I’ll be happy to refer you to one of our great new EcoBrokers who will exceed your expectations.
And as always, if you would like to learn more about any of the terms or concepts contained herein, check out our website at www.BoulderGreen.com, or give me a call at 303-441-7469.
‘Till next time,
Stu
Shouts out / Thanks: Jeff with e2sys for the tour; Gil with Airborne for the education; Big Boss-Man Paul for the great critical thinking, examples, and business socks; Patrick for all of his unending help; Vincent for the hospitality, grace in leaving the poker table first so that I wouldn’t feel bad, and for reminding me what hard work really looks like; Gayle for her continued offers of entertainment (next time); Helen for the tour and bowl-o-rama; Gioia for best first name and best business card; Jon Barton for the billiards lesson; and Corey for being so bright and for making the classroom experience so easy and enjoyable.
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