A Bethesda company that analyzes energy costs recently added a pretty famous new property to its portfolio.
Savenia Labs, the Bethesda Green business incubator company, hooked up with the U.S. Department of Energy to rate the solar panel system installed earlier this year on top of the White House.
Savenia’s home ratings calculate the value of energy-saving appliances, lighting and other improvements before someone buys or sells a home. Most of Savenia’s ratings so far have come locally, thanks to a partnership with Bethesda realtor Jane Fairweather and Bethesda homebuilder Sandy Spring Builders.
The calculations are based on water, electricity and other utility rates in the home’s zip code. Home sellers or builders can enter the product model numbers for new water heaters or other appliances into Savenia’s database to see projected costs. Savenia then will provide a gold, silver or bronze home rating and details on environmental impacts and costs of proposed upgrades.
The White House installed a 6.3kW solar panel system on a portion of the building’s roof.
Per Savenia’s analysis, the system is valued at almost $27,000 and should earn up to another $43,000 over the next 15 years through energy production and renewable energy certificates.
That means 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue gets a Savenia Gold Rating “because of the high return on investment for someone looking to move into this house, whoever that might be in 2017.”
Video via the White House, photo via Savenia Labs
