A Family Affair

Evelyn Vignola believes that sometimes less is more. She and her husband George had lived in the small town of Ashby, MA in a large drafty home for 30 years. “New England homes, especially the older ones, are noted for their fresh air in the winter,” Evelyn explains. Seven years ago, they moved to Worcester, a city located about 35 miles south of Ashby in central Massachusetts. They decided to downsize and moved into a tighter, 1500 square foot home, but immediately found that it lacked fresh air. Always having a passion for renewable energy, she went online and found the Alternative Energy Store. At first, she didn’t know what she needed or wanted. Kristen Hagerty introduced her to solar air heating and the possible applications for her home in New England. After considering her options, Evelyn purchased a Your Solar Home Solarsheat 1500 and wall mount for fresh air during the winter months. This model takes outside air and heats it via sunlight during the daytime. Evelyn keeps it on the ventilation mode to keep fresh air in the home. “The Alt-E people have always been extremely helpful and very knowledgeable about their projects. I can’t think of one unfortunate experience at all that I’ve ever had with this group,” Evelyn says.

Cansolair Solarmax Air Heater purchased by Evelyn and George

The following year, Evelyn and George purchased a Cansolair Solarmax Air Heater. This unit is not transpired (taking outside air), but instead is recirculating (heating inside air). The Cansolair takes inside air and sends it through the collector to heat it before returning the heated air into the home. It is even installed on the same south-facing exposure as the other heater.

Evelyn and George also installed two Solar Fan Kits placed in the attic and basement to move heated air, and increase circulation through their home during the transitional seasons. They are supplementing their home heating with the solar air heaters even during January and February with the temperature outside in the twenties! “It’s warm when we walk in the door,” Evelyn says. “We can keep the thermostat at 55 degrees and when we come home the house will be at 60-61 degrees, even with the frigid temperatures.” Evelyn says that it is comforting to know the house will be heated if they lose electricity. “When the sun shines, the house is warm,” She says.

From left to right: Solarmax, Solarsheat 1500, PV Module for Solar Fan all mounted on the south facing wall of Evelyn and George's home

Evelyn, a secretary for a Diabetes and Endocrinology program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and George, a retired teacher, are not the only ones in their family to live with the benefits of renewable energy. “It’s kind of a family thing,” Evelyn says. Their son, Nathan, installed the Vignola’s Solarsheat as well as the Cansolair in their home. Nathan and his own family have a solar hot water system purchased from the Alternative Energy Store. Evelyn’s sister also has a solar hot water system that she has been using for 25 years. Her nephew and another sister save electricity by heating their houses with wood stoves. “As a family we’re aware of all the benefits of alternative energy,” Evelyn says. She chooses to use renewable energy for the environmental benefits rather than the financial ones but appreciates that there is some security financially. “If you are totally dependent on one resource, you are at the mercy of whomever owns that resource,” Evelyn explains. “That doesn’t appear to be a logical way to run your life. It would be like only being able to go to one grocery store. The prices would go up.”

Cansolair Solarmax (left) and Your Solar Home Solarsheat 1500 (right)

Evelyn and George strive to live environmentally healthy lives. With their move to Worcester, they are now closer to work and even share a car to save on gasoline. “You use less resources if you live more simply,” Evelyn says. She and George are hoping to install a solar hot water system in the future. “It seems to be the best way to go,” Evelyn explains. “This constantly using oil doesn’t seem to make sense. There are other alternatives that are feasible.”