This post was taken from a   Colleagues blog and we give full credit for them writing the below:


"Like most build industries, it is easy to low-ball a quote.  Separate the end user from the product (ie- through a developer or builder) and that is the tendency - to bid low.

Here’s how it is done:

• use junk for heat pumps: single speed, no warranty, single-walled exchanger, piston compressor, and the list goes on.
• shortcuts on materials: no insulation, low quality circulation pumps, no valves, wrong materials.
• shortcuts on labour: unlicensed trades, inexperienced installers, cash sales.
• no design – yes, somehow this can still be done.
• short looping – goes with the fact you did not have a design to begin with.
• no accountability: hiding behind the fact you don’t have an educated client sometimes or the time period is such the installer is long gone before issues are noted.

I don’t know all this from experience.  I know all this from troubleshooting."

We at ACES-Energy have come in contact with this over the past several years in the Rochester and Finger Lakes region!  Many times, the lowest bidder is awarded the job but the results are far from the customer's expectations!  In the end, it actually will cost the customer more as repairs can be expensive! Many of our customers receive multiple quotes and we warn them to compare the quotes "Apples to Apples" to be sure the same equipment is being installed. The proposal and installation is more than just the geothermal heat pump. It starts with the details of the design, the loop field installation, indoor piping installation (PVC? We hope not!), flow center, controls, ductwork, removal of existing equipment, owner/operator training, warranty, insulation, buffer tank, companies insurance and finally, is the person who sold you the job a salesman on commission or the one that will: write the proposal, do the design, order the material, install the system, service the system and answer their phone regardlress of the day or time? We at ACES-Energy pride our selves as who visits you at your home are also in the field doing the installation! Why would we take a shortcut when we would just be the ones being called back to fix it??

Obtaining a permit and/or variance to install a wind turbine has become a challenge and ACES-Energy welcomes the task.  The Town of Livonia, on the North East end of Conesus Lake currently allows a 35' tower at a residential home.  We installed a 80' tower in anticipation of applying for a variance for a 70' tower for a wind turbine.  We will be installing wind velocity monitoring stations at both 35' and 70'. This data will be used in addition to the photos as a demonstration for the town and neighboring property owners.  Keep checking back for updates!

Many of our customers who reduce their dependency on fossil fuels are experiencing a decrease on their homeowners insurance.  By switching from a fossil-fuel based heating system to a ground source heat pump system, many insurance companies are offering a discount. This discount is offered because their is no combustion taking place which increases the safety in ones home.  This article outlines how one insurance company is offering a 5% discount for either a geothermal heating & cooling system or installing solar photovoltaic panels. 

ACES-Energy is based in upstate, New York and specializes in renewable energy including Geothermal, Solar Photovoltaic and Wind Solutions for Residential and light commercial buildings. Our service area ranges from Rochester, Buffalo and the Finger Lake region. 

ACES-Energy, specializing in renewable energy has been selected to be the Nothnagle Home Service partner in the field of Solar PV, Geothermal and Wind solutions.

Nothnagle Realtors has over 30 office locations including the following in Amherst, Batavia, Brighton, Brockport, Buffalo, Canandaigua, Chili-Ogden, Dansville, Fairport, Gates, Greece,  Hilton, lakeville, Mendon, Honeoye-Falls, Ontario, Penfield, Spencerport & Webster. 

A studied completed by the Department of Energy confirming that solar photovoltaic systems do in fact increase the sale price of homes! You can find the study here.


Alternative Carbon Energy Systems, Inc. (A.C.E.S) specializes in Geothermal Heating & Cooling, Solar Photovoltaic, Solar Hot-Water and Wind systems to harness the Earth’s renewable energy sources. As renewable energy specialists with a passion to reduce dependency on costly fossil-fuels, A.C.E.S designs and installs projects tailored to specific customer needs. We have the expertise to complete any job, regardless if it is a new or existing system. We work with homeowners, builders, building owners and architects. Our goal is to provide cost effective, energy efficient solutions to our clients. We service and install in the Buffalo, Rochester and Finger Lake areas of New York.

As part of spreading the passion for renewable energy, including Solar Photovoltaic, Wind, Geothermal and Solar Thermal in Upstate, NY including Rochester and the Finger Lake Region on Earth Day, we are offering a couple discount packages if you utilize our "Total Package" approach.

Do you want a FREE energy audit? Looking for your septic tank to be pumped? Building new and need an architect? Looking at building and need assistance with your site plan? Did you have some cold spots this past winter and in need of insulation? Is your drinking water in need of testing or treating?

Be sure to contact us if we can help you in any way in the days following Earth Day and ask us about teaming up your next project with ACES-Energy and one of our affiliated partners to save costs on the "Total Package". 

One of the most common questions we receive while visiting a potential customer is: "What sets you apart from the others?". We have no problem with our response to this question.  ACES-Energy does not have a dedicated sales staff. Our selling process starts with our engineering and installation crew. The personnel that work hands on from the initial design to the commissioning of your new geothermal, solar or wind system is the person that initially visits you at your home.  You can ask us questions ranging from technical and installation methods to financing and return on investment. Also, we share the passion of renewable energy with you! We live renewable energy in our personal lives and can share those experiences with you!

Alternative Carbon Energy System, Inc. has a growing market segment South of Rochester in the towns from Mendon, Honeoye Falls, Ionia, Bloomfield and Pittsford due to the speculation of increased propane and fuel oil prices this coming winter! Don' delay, recieve your free in-home consultation today!

ACES-Energy and EESNY was asked to visit the Ontario Elementary School's Ecology Club on April 14, 2011.  Andrew Heiligman and Ted Kidd put together a one-hour presentation focusing on renewable energy, energy conservation and the simple economics of energy projects.  The session was extremely interactive and proved to be a successful event that is planned to turn into a quarterly event.  Ted, a BPI energy auditor showcased a blower door and put the school's gym to a test.  Also, the duo presented each child with a CFL light bulb to take home and information on energy audits,which are now subsidized through the GJGNY program. 

While driving down the expressways and thruway, everyone notices the solar panels now generating power for sign lighting.  The 2nd half of 2011 for the ACES-Energy staff will be devoted to strategic marketing and financing for municipality welcome signs.  We believe this is the future to help towns reduce energy and maintenance, while promoting and embracing renewable energy.  Our initial plan is to reach out to county and town governments from Erie to Oswego County, one-hour North and South of the thruway. We would like every town to have a welcome sign that has a solar powered light.

This product highlighted on www.cnn.com today demonstrates the creativeness of humans to utilize the sun is many different ways.  The Solarball (http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2011/03/31/nr.solarball.clean.water.cnn?hpt=T2) has recently won several awards and recognized by many media agencies as a future product to clean water in third-world countries. 

The inventor of the Solarball hopes to have the product commercially available in early 2012.