Thursday, May 2, 2013

Lafayette home goes green, saves energy


By Bryan Price and Nick Stutzman
BengalNews Reporters           
            A restored house that sits on the corner of Lafayette Avenue and Grant Street has seen some energy savings since “going green.”
            The multi-use house at 223 Lafayette, Two twenty three Lafayette was restored last year thanks to the PUSH Main Street Grant, and has recently put up solar panels, which convert directly into electricity, on its roof this past October. Owner Alex Kerns has noticed a return in electrical savings thanks to these solar panels.
223 Lafayette Ave.
            “The solar panels are essentially covering the cost of the first floor’s electricity in the house,” Kerns said.
Kerns said he hopes to see the panels help cover more energy bills with the upcoming summer season.
            Kerns spent $100,000 for the renovations and the Main Street Grant covered 75 percent of the cost. The 4,300 square foot house, which holds a commercial business in the basement, two floors of residential space and an attic, received the Buffalo Niagara Preservation Award in May of 2012.
            West Side contractors were involved in most of the renovations, which included siding, roof replacement, restored front and second floor porches, energy efficient windows and the installation of solar panels. The house also got a new back patio that “makes the house unique,” since there is no real backyard Kerns said.
Lonnie Barlow, communications director at PUSH Buffalo, said that the Main Street Grant helped bring vibrancy along Grant Street and bring it back to life.
“Anything we can get to help restore this neighborhood, make it livable and look good, is good,” Barlow said.