FYI - I just found on www.merchantcircle.com a 5% off coupon from www.smartclosetsolution.com - expiration 8/30/09

Posted by: justme123 at August 12, 2009 3:19 PM in response to Closet Design

I live in Midwood. I just got an estimate from a handyman for building a 6' closet prior to custom installation. Does $1,800 from start to finish (including doors) sound reasonable?

Posted by: justme123 at August 12, 2009 12:51 PM in response to Closet Design

Thanks for recommending Michael. We'll definitely keep his number on hand!

Posted by: justme123 at August 12, 2009 12:29 PM in response to A/C Installation (HELP!!)

Will they give info about energy efficient construction?

Posted by: justme123 at May 17, 2009 11:24 AM in response to Free Energy Savings Seminar

Has anyone used a good local BPI certified installer. In order to qualify for the rebates e/t needs to be done by certified professionals.

Posted by: justme123 at April 2, 2009 4:20 PM in response to flat roof for solar panels

Diors - I'm also looking into solar energy,I'm in Brooklyn. If you have a good contractor who's experienced (with references) I'd be interested.

Posted by: justme123 at March 19, 2009 7:28 PM in response to Solar Power System

Yes the lot size is the main issue. My lot is 40x100. I was told that the 2 wells need to be far apart to make it work. Hopefully that's enough space.

Posted by: justme123 at March 17, 2009 4:02 PM in response to going green with geothermal

Thanks Steve,

I checked the site, and one of the issues they mention is the difficulty with getting a permit. That's the first thing one place I called told me to check on. I'm hoping with all the incentives this year that it'll be something the city will cooperate with.

Posted by: justme123 at March 16, 2009 11:15 AM in response to going green with geothermal

I'm doing some research about going geothermal. The reason I'm told that it's not so prevalent in Brooklyn is because you need a decent sized cleared lot in order to bring in the equipment needed to drill a well -for which you need a DOB permit, which they won't give you if your lot is too small.

Posted by: justme123 at February 27, 2009 11:35 AM in response to Geothermal heating/cooling

I'm looking for information regarding going green with a geothermal heating and water system, incl.getting a permit in order to dig a well in Midwood. I can't seem to find anyone in Brooklyn who's done it. I wonder why? What seems to be the issue? Especially with the new tax incentives it seems to be the way to go.

Posted by: justme123 at February 27, 2009 11:23 AM in response to Digging a well in Ditmas Park

There are some problems with trying to install geothermal in brooklyn - 1st is design and permitting - there is a lot of up-front analysis and investigation required. This is expensive and specialized and takes a long time to pay back. The second is space: unless you have a huge lot, you will probably have to put in a standing column well, and it is hard to physically get a drill rig into position. Most geothermal installers are not accustomed to working in the city. Faced with challenges such as these, you have to really want to do it, and have the $$ in hand as well.

Posted by: architect66 at March 16, 2009 11:56 AM in response to going green with geothermal

We installed a closed-loop system at our house in RI in 2004. It's been super-efficient, but we had several acres to play with. As pointed out above, you need room for drilling rigs. The wells themselves can be vertically placed, as I'm sure you know, but it takes a bit of room for the drilling unit and pipe-handler. If you have a driveway and a backyard, it may be possible.

I've heard that there are several large coops on the UWS with geo systems, and remember a NYT article of the same. Anybody know of this?

Good luck.

Posted by: buttermilk channel at March 16, 2009 11:16 PM in response to going green with geothermal

I thought there was only one guy who ever did this in NYC, in Tribeca, on Reade St. off Greenwich, north side of the street in the only super modernist building on that block. Although he died, there is still his architectural firm in that building. Try researching the archive of the Tribeca Trib, the local neighborhood paper.I think he also did the neighbor`s house nextdoor. I remember reading that in order to drill so deep into the bedrock he needed to obtain an oil drilling permit. Hope this helps. -Sally

Posted by: sally at March 17, 2009 9:31 AM in response to going green with geothermal

Yes the lot size is the main issue. My lot is 40x100. I was told that the 2 wells need to be far apart to make it work. Hopefully that's enough space.

Posted by: justme123 at March 17, 2009 4:02 PM in response to going green with geothermal

Try contacting Al Frishman [amfrish@aeonsolar.com]

Posted by: architect66 at April 2, 2009 6:38 PM in response to flat roof for solar panels

I have panels installed and they cover my needs over the course of a year. We have 4 a story brownstone but power just us our triplex. We have a 6.6kW install net metered. It takes up a good chunk of our 20 x 45ft (15x30?—roughly) roof. Go to the NYSERDA website http://www.powernaturally.org
They list installers, outline incentives, allow you to estimate what your needs are. You have to use their approved installers in order to qualify for the incentives. I couldn't say enough good things about our installer—but I'm pretty sure they're not doing residential installations anymore (who knows with the downturn though). Solar Energy Systems. Great guys, talk to Chris Moustakis the owner. All you need is a site study to make sure it is feasible for your site (no trees or buildings blocking light). The contractor should take care of the rest (design, permits, construction, etc.). The build isn't complex: roofing work took 2-3 days, solar panels up in a day, electrical work a day and a half. Just 4-5 months of permiting and a parade of inspectors (dept of bldgs, underwriters lab, con ed, etc.), but the contractor took care of it all, including landmarks (we have our panels set back so you don't see them from the street).

With incentives and rebates we've found it to be quite a deal and don't know why it isn't done more often. We've been up and running for about a year and a half. Everyone talks about simple payback calculations, but here is something nobody talks about: every time Con Ed raises rates, payback is that much faster. 15% increase? Payback on the investment is 15% faster. You lock in the costs when you install and rate increases go to you with the net metering. We took a loan out to cover some of the cost and NYSERDA paid most the interest and the payback on the 5 year loan on a monthly basis is only a little more than what we would have been paying to con ed anyway (with the recent rate hikes), so we feel like the 5 years that it takes to pay the loan is kind of like we would have been paying it anyhow. Other than that (after state and federal tax rebates) we only had to drop about $12k on a $63k system. Payback on that? 4-5 years, I'd say (but remember I'm not counting the 5 year, $20k loan in that so it'll be 4-5 years after the loan is paid). After that it's all free juice (still have to pay con ed about $14/mo for "service" though).

Hope that doesn't make it sound complicated, because it really isn't. Federal tax rebates have increased since we jumped in, but so has contracting costs, I believe.

And you'll actually be doing something to reduce your carbon footprint, and take some of the load off the grid when it is most needed during those hot summer days.

Posted by: kensch at April 4, 2009 12:48 AM in response to flat roof for solar panels

FYI - I just found on www.merchantcircle.com a 5% off coupon from www.smartclosetsolution.com - expiration 8/30/09

Posted by: justme123 at August 12, 2009 3:19 PM in response to Closet Design

http://www.smartclosetsolution.com/

The best finish, much better than California Closets quality. Also at the best price possible, I had about 7 quotes. They are also nice people and there is always someone to talk too.

Posted by: liketherichandfamous at August 31, 2009 10:05 AM in response to Closet Design

I had a quote from smart closet - around $1,500 for an 8ftx9ft space with lots of rooms for hanging clothes. shall i do it or shop around. some friends say go for ikea and get a carpenter but am not sure about that - wasting time, no warranty, etc.
K

Posted by: HurricaneKate at September 9, 2009 5:51 PM in response to Closet Design

I had a friend who bought in Ikea some shelves, hanging, baskets etc and hired a handyman. It looked nothing like a custom closet and they end up spending near the price they got quote from Smart Closet Solution with a lot of headache. Another friend who bought from Easyclosets.com they hired a handyman to install, horrible job. If the price is right give to professional to do the job. At the end it pays and don't forget the lifetime warranty you get. You say $1,500 to my opinion that is very low for a 8x9 closet.

Posted by: liketherichandfamous at September 12, 2009 4:01 PM in response to Closet Design