Old Greenwich church looks to sun for energy
By Meridith Blake-staff writer Greenwich Times | June 17, 2008
Acello, owner of Stamford-based Solar Sense, installed a new solar energy system at the Presbyterian Church of Old Greenwich.
The new system allows the sun to heat the water through a series of tubes on the roof that pass through the interior and are connected to a storage tank in the attic. No fuel is used, except for the electricity for the pump to circulate water through the tubes.
Faced with a heating bill of nearly $10,000 a year, the church jumped at the chance to install the new system.
"I was interested in seeing it done," said the Rev. William Gestal, pastor. The system minimizes the expense of electricity and reduces associated environmental impacts.
"Going green is financially responsible and ecologically responsible," he said.
The system, which costs $5,700 to install, took nearly three weeks to complete, while Acello and his team worked during the afternoon or in their free time.
"Everybody is really happy about this," Acello said.
Acello has been installing the systems for several years. He began looking into alternative energy sources when his wife began suffering from multiple sclerosis. He wanted, in part, to be prepared for times when power went out.
"She would totally collapse if she was too cold," he said,
His heating bill also was nearly $7,000 a year. So he installed the system, effectively lowering his bill to $800 a month and ensuring his home was properly heated.
Since installing it at the church, Gestal has not yet completed a billing cycle. But he said church members are hopeful it will dramatically reduce the bill.
The church wants to expand the project to include a subfloor radiant system. The system would use the hot water to heat the building during the winter.
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