I was one of the Bainbridge Island homeowners who received a letter from RePower Bainbridge reporting on our energy usage. I was surprised that it was so high, especially in comparison to my neighbors, as we are very conscientious about conservation.

I was very happy to be informed of this problem, neither insulted by it nor suspicious of ulterior motives.

I called RePower Bain-bridge and in due course its representative visited and evaluated our house and made a number of recommendations.

We’ve followed their suggestions, including the installation of a ductless heat pump, which is more efficient than our old system, more effective, and quieter. The savings were immediate and substantial.

In the first billing period, during which the new heat pump was in place only three of the four weeks, our usage was down approximately 25 percent.

Lately, the decrease has been more like 50 percent. And Puget Sound Energy sent us $800 for installing the heat pump, bringing down its already low cost.

Another of RePower Bainbridge’s allies evaluated exactly where we were wasting energy and installed a number of fixes, which haven’t been in place long enough to impact the bill.

We expect the drastic reductions in our energy use to continue and even improve. We have been extremely happy with these contractors’ expertise, coordination, and prompt and careful attention to our needs.

We’re very happy to think that we’ve quit being a problem and have become part of the solution to Bainbridge?s energy problems. In the end, we’re saving both energy and money – which ought to warm the heart of even the most skeptical observer.

George W. Jarecke

Bainbridge Island