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Off-Grid Green Living Center, Inc.

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Reviews Off-Grid Green Living Center, Inc.

Off-Grid Green Living Center, Inc. Reviews (10)

Revdex.com spoke with the business and he stated that the customer really just wants to pick her own electrical but that would not work, he is responding by email with the permits and where they are hauled because she will not sign off on his electrian

The business provided Revdex.com with the following response in order to bring this complaint to resolution:The business has agreed to send out a qualified electrician to troubleshoot the systemIn addition, the business will pull the permits, add a DC disconnect and AC disconnect for the gridThe business will connect the grid as a hybrid configuration and will align the batteriesOnce the business has made the proper arrangements, the business will reach out to MsKushner to schedule a time to come out and will notify Revdex.com of this communication

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the offer made by the business in reference to complaint ID***, and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below
The business's response is not an accurate portrayal of what occurred in my attempts to communicate with them and have the system work properly. The system malfunctioned within months of the installation 'being complete' and it was because of some of the equipment and improper wiring that had been installed, not just 'a loose wire'. The system did not work properly until equipment, materials and service for which I had to pay, over and above the contract, were installed and corrected. Also, documents (manuals) related to warranty and operation of all components have never been provided nor was owner education about the system operation provided - all of which I had requested.
Regards,*** ***

Revdex.com:
At this time, I have not been contacted by Off-Grid Green Living Center, Inc. regarding complaint ID***In the meantime, I've recalled other issues with Off-Grid's serviceNone of the circuits on my circuit panel or new subpanel were
labeledThe promised pure sine-wave inverter that was substituted for the modified sine-wave inverter was installed upside-downThe battery bank isn't enough to power the house overnight if the pressure tank is triggered onceMost of my phone calls to Off Grid went unreturnedI was left waiting for a day for an installer to show up more than once after being reassured they were 'on the way.'Off Grid tried to charge me freight for component pieces after being reassured the purchase price of the system covered everything
Regards,*** ***

Revdex.com spoke with Mr*** from the businessHe understands the difficult this has causedAt this time he is willing to offer the customer $and the D.C DisconnectHe feels that this is a reasonable gesture because when the customer first brought the issues to his attention this would have covered the problemsHowever, since the customer hired another business to come out and work on the system without allowing the business back he is not able to cover the full invoice because he cannot know they did not add work to the bill or make changes after the complaints were lodged

The business provided Revdex.com with the following response in order to bring this complaint to resolution:The business arranged for a technician to come out to the customer’s home once they were notified a problem had occurred in the summer of It was determined a wire was loose which
produced over-voltageThe repair was made and should have fixed the issueThe additional work for an upgraded system was not a solution the business provided to the customerThe customer purchased the equipment from Off-Grid Green Living Center, Inc., but did not have a contract with the business to install an upgradeIn addition, the business did not agree to reimburse the customer for any additional workIn addition, the business is only aware of a year workmanship warranty which started when the system was installed and would not extend.The company is willing to reimburse $as an offer of resolution for the complaintOnce the customer has confirmed this will settle her complaint, the business will remit paymentPlease understand, by accepting this resolution, the company will be released from any further liabilities regarding this dispute

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the offer made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
[Provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.]
Regards,
[redacted]
If I can only respond with an 'accept' or 'reject' of their response, how can I get more specific with what I'd like them to do to resolve the issue? Their response was vague and didn't address one of my issues.
I would like to ask these specific points of Off-Grid:
1. Immediately obtain the necessary permit from [redacted] County.
2. Return to me the pertinent pages from the AEP net metering application that they agreed to in May:
    a. the sketch of the system
    b. the page in the application with their electrician's signature.
3. Reimburse me immediately on receipt with a certified check or money order for the qualified solar installer's costs to put in the disconnect switches, troubleshoot and correct the system, including the one faulty circuit and any issues the county inspection finds.
Thanks again for your help!
[redacted]

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the offer and/or response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
Altenergy's invoice specifically states they 'rebuilt an existing system installed by someone else. The workmanship was poor, things didn't meet code, etc. We have it installed correctly and inspected now and have completed the net metering paperwork.' The only item Off-Grid offered to do was install a disconnect for the net metering. Since OG installed the system with inferior workmanship and used methods and materials that weren't up to code, they weren't sufficiently capable of completing the system, since it would not have passed the county inspection.Perhaps this is why OG refused to have their electrician sign the county permit application stating 'The system has been installed in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications as well as all applicable provisions in the National Electrical Code.' Outback's specifications state the charge controller not be installed in an exterior environment, where OG installed it, and none of the other issues Altenergy found would have needed correcting.I did ask OG for help making the system net metered, since the off-grid configuration didn't work due to insufficient batteries (including the 2 extra I purchased from OG, leaving me to speculate the load calculations were incorrect) and the system was configured as a back-up system when no grid power is present (corroborated by Altenergy as why I needed to manually switch the house power to 'off' for the solar system to work... not exactly automatic!). OG's reply in a 4/25/14 email states 'Here is the receipt for the inverter. We are waiting for the electrician to fax the signed Net Meter form back over. I will send it to you as soon as I get it.' Their next email stated 'Because this was originally sold to you as an off grid system there wasn’t a need in [redacted] county for a building permit.Now that you want to net meter, it changes the whole thing. In order for Appalachian Power to put a net meter on your home they require an electrical inspection. So we now have to apply to [redacted] county for a building permit and then once received we have to schedule an inspection of your system. [redacted] county requires an electrical wiring schematic and line drawing of panel layout. We have to have the electrical engineer get us that diagram. I have filled out the permit but I am waiting for the engineered drawing to accompany it so I can turn it in.'Neither I nor the county received the permit application. After my initial Revdex.com complaint requesting OG file for the permit, OG supplied the application, without their electrician's signature or the previously promised electrical wiring schematic of the system.  Nor did I receive the net metering application promised in their 4/25/14 email.OG promised me a working solar system within a month's time. Their electrician last visited 10 months after my initial payment and did not complete the system. I was charged more than $1000 more than the originally agreed on price. OG attempted to also charge me for freight which was never agreed upon. Most of my phone calls were never returned. I never got a working system, off grid or net metered. When I asked for their help to make the system work in the simplest way possible (net metered) I was not supplied with a completed permit application nor a net metering application, both of which needed either/or the business owner's signature and the installing electrician's signature. Lacking that, I had no choice but to seek completion of the system with another company. The installers I hired completed the system, applied for the county permit and the net metering application in 2 weeks.
Regards,
[redacted]

Review: In the March of 2013, I requested [redacted], owner of Off Grid By Design (Off Grid) to design and install a photovoltaic system of sufficient size to carry the power needs of my whole house. His proposal was for over $20,000. I agreed and signed a contract for the amount proposed with no request to cut corners or reduce the cost. The contract also included a service contract which should run for two years after completion of project.

The electric bills provided to them for their calculations exceeded my normal usage since during 2012 there were two people living in the house and one person from January 2013 to present. Following is a list of events that have transpired since the system installation was initiated documenting their refusal to provide a properly operating system and to service it:

The system was ‘completed’ at the in July 2013. I was pressured to pay off my contract in full even though the system was not yet producing power (waiting on power company meter installation). Operating and maintenance manuals for only one of the three components were provided to me. I received no instruction, on how to monitor the system even after asked for it several times. For a couple of months the system may have produced more power than I used, however, in October 2013 I began having to pay electric bills again. I called the company and was informed that it wasn’t unusual and they did not need to look at the system. In December, I had an electric bill that was higher than any winter in the past several years which lead me to believe that my system was not producing much or any power. I began monitoring the electrical usage at my electric meter, the only thing I knew to do. I asked for instruction on system operation and what to look for multiple times - I was told I should not worry about that. In January 2014, I began calling Off Grid informing them I thought there was a problem. After multiple calls per week from me between late January through March, they refused to send someone out to look at the system. The reason given to me was that current days of short sunlight it was normal that my system wasn’t producing much power. Finally in late March, when they suggested I call a local electrician (one not familiar with solar systems) to check the voltage on the solar panels.

When Off Grid finally examined the system, it was found that a component in the solar equipment building had gone bad, thus I had been operating on less than 2/3 of my system for an extended period of time. After a wait of several weeks the component was replaced. Within another few weeks , power production again decreased. By this point, I knew a few things about the system operation and found that breakers in the solar equipment building were tripping off regularly shutting off at least 1/3 of my system. Off Grid, after more weeks of delay and multiple calls from me, sent their electrician out again. The electrician from Off Grid found that some wires in the equipment in the building housing the solar equipment were burned from carrying too much power. Also, some of the breakers that had been tripping off in the solar equipment were insufficient to carry the load. The burnt wires were replaced and one breaker was changed.

As another couple of weeks went by, the breakers continued to trip and shut off part of my system. I had to again make multiple requests for repair. When their electrician came to service my system, he informed me that the some components of equipment in the solar building could not be further repaired because some components were not designed to handle the load being produced. The electrician also informed me that he would not continue to come out and put ‘band aids’ on this system since what was installed would continue to have the same problems. When I asked what was the solution, Off Grid’s electrician informed me that a better controller (piece of equipment) was needed that could accept larger breakers and handle the load.

I talked to the owner of Off Grid and who said ‘the system was fine’ and did not need the equipment change even though his electrician/subcontractor said it did. Since breakers were continuing to shut off part of my system regularly, I decided to purchase the equipment that Off Grid's electrician recommended would correct the problem. I had to order and purchase it myself but had to do it through Off Grid in order to ‘maintain the warranty’ on my system. When the electrician came out to install the equipment I was told that Off Grid was not going to pay him for his work.

The new piece of equipment was installed in late August 2014. I personally paid Off Grid’s electrician since Off Grid’s owner advised me Off Grid would not pay for anything further associated with my system. Since installation of the new controller and the adjustment in programming, the system has not malfunctioned. The system did not operate properly until August 2014, 13 months from ‘completion of the system’, and I have had to personally pay for $1,700 in additional equipment and service to have the system operate properly. From August 2014 to date of this letter, the system has been performing well.

Off Grid did not provide a system that operated properly, has not been responsive in correcting the problems with the system (or has charged me additional amounts to correct improper equipment they installed) and has verbally indicated they will not provide me with any further service even though my contract with Off Grid has a 2 year service contract included in it. If the system was not completed until it was operating properly, the 2 year service contract should be valid through August of 2016. Once the system was nearing completion, the owner of Off Grid became nonresponsive and at times the owner was belligerent to deal with. Operating and service manuals for three elements of equipment have not been provided to me.Desired Settlement: The following would be reasonable and fair resolution to this situation: 1) Off Grid to reimburse me for the equipment and labor for installation that their subcontractor/electrician advised me that was needed for the system to work properly. 2) for Off Grid to reimburse me for programming of the equipment necessary to make the system work properly. 3) for Off Grid to provide me with all manuals and warranty information for the equipment I purchased from them (which should have been provided when I received the equipment.) 4) for Off Grid to pay for any service of my system that is needed until the service contract that I paid for expires in 2016.

Business

Response:

The business provided Revdex.com with the following response in order to bring this complaint to resolution:The business arranged for a technician to come out to the customer’s home once they were notified a problem had occurred in the summer of 2014. It was determined a wire was loose which produced over-voltage. The repair was made and should have fixed the issue. The additional work for an upgraded system was not a solution the business provided to the customer. The customer purchased the equipment from Off-Grid Green Living Center, Inc., but did not have a contract with the business to install an upgrade. In addition, the business did not agree to reimburse the customer for any additional work. In addition, the business is only aware of a 2 year workmanship warranty which started when the system was installed and would not extend.The company is willing to reimburse $875 as an offer of resolution for the complaint. Once the customer has confirmed this will settle her complaint, the business will remit payment. Please understand, by accepting this resolution, the company will be released from any further liabilities regarding this dispute.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the offer made by the business in reference to complaint ID[redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

The business's response is not an accurate portrayal of what occurred in my attempts to communicate with them and have the system work properly. The system malfunctioned within months of the installation 'being complete' and it was because of some of the equipment and improper wiring that had been installed, not just 'a loose wire'. The system did not work properly until equipment, materials and service for which I had to pay, over and above the contract, were installed and corrected. Also, documents (manuals) related to warranty and operation of all components have never been provided nor was owner education about the system operation provided - all of which I had requested.

Regards,

Review: I hired Off-grid by Design to design and install a [redacted] solar system for my house. At his on-site survey, I presented [redacted] (president of the company) with my past year's power bills and documentation of my 1/2 hp well pump. He reassured me that everything needed would be included in his $5000 estimate, and installation would require 2 visits and would be finished within a few weeks. He reassured me that I would not have a power bill except for the delivery charge the power company requires. He asked for 70% down, which I sent him with my check dated 2/10/13 for $3500. After the solar panels were installed, he told me a transformer was needed to power my well pump and would cost an additional $875 which would need to be pre-paid. The installation took 6+ visits. After the system was installed, I voiced concern several times about flickering lights and extremely noisy ceiling fan operation, which he dismissed. After reading the manufacturer's brochures, I discovered he had installed a modified sine wave inverter, despite his earlier assurance I would have a pure sine wave inverter. After I made many phone calls about this, he ultimately agreed to switch the inverter. Upon installation of the pure sine wave inverter, my refrigerator and ceiling fans operated as normal. After getting a 'fatal error' light on the inverter, I phoned him for advice and was told to call the manufacturer. I discovered the fatal error occurred because the 4 batteries installed did not provide enough reserve power to last a short May night. He sold me 2 additional batteries, and informed me I still owed $500 on the total system price. I answered that I had paid 70% initially, which was 70% of $5000. He maintained he quoted me a total price of $5500. I offered to split the difference, as it appeared I would not a finished system otherwise. After starting the installation, he advised me to switch the system to an off-grid system, which was what 'everyone was doing.' After installation, I discovered that not only did I not have enough battery reserves to last a short night, but the solar system did not include the hot water heater, nor all my house circuits. So the off-grid system would have eliminated the possibility of ever having hot water. I also discovered my power bills weren't reduced significantly, and month by month tried various ways of turning the system off and on to try to find an efficient way of powering the batteries, since I had to switch my electric panel back to grid power because of the insufficient battery reserves. I investigated returning to the original plan of a grid-tied system so that I could at least sell back excess power during peak daytime hours. I discovered I needed a county construction permit for the system (which he earlier said I didn't need because I was getting an off-grid system), a disconnect switch from the grid, and a drawing of the electrical system. After numerous calls to Off-grid, I was ultimately told the inverter wasn't designed for a grid-tied system. I researched online and found that it in fact was appropriate for this - even Off-grid's current website shows my inverter model as appropriate for a hybrid (grid-tied/off-grid) system. The last email I received from Off-grid was 5/9/14 and states "I have filled out the permit but I am waiting for the engineered drawing to accompany it so I can turn it in." I've heard nothing since. Thus far I have paid $6125 for the system which is neither grid-tied nor off-grid. I also have one circuit on the subpanel (installed by Off-grid) that has failed.Desired Settlement: I would like a certified (by either [redacted] or [redacted]) solar installer to trouble shoot the system and correct the faulty circuit on the subpanel, install the system disconnect switch, hook up the hot water heater so that it can utilize the solar system, grid-tie the system in a hybrid configuration, and move all the batteries so that they are aligned. (The previous installer did not have enough cable to do this on his last visit.) I would like the construction permit filed with [redacted] County, any changes needed per [redacted] County's inspection, and the net metering application made with [redacted].

Consumer

Response:

At this time, I have not been contacted by Off-Grid Green Living Center, Inc. regarding complaint ID[redacted]. In the meantime, I've recalled other issues with Off-Grid's service. 1. None of the circuits on my circuit panel or new subpanel were labeled. 2. The promised pure sine-wave inverter that was substituted for the modified sine-wave inverter was installed upside-down. 3. The battery bank isn't enough to power the house overnight if the pressure tank is triggered once.4. Most of my phone calls to Off Grid went unreturned.5. I was left waiting for a day for an installer to show up more than once after being reassured they were 'on the way.'6. Off Grid tried to charge me freight for component pieces after being reassured the purchase price of the system covered everything.

Regards,

Business

Response:

The business provided Revdex.com with the following response in order to bring this complaint to resolution:The business has agreed to send out a qualified electrician to troubleshoot the system. In addition, the business will pull the permits, add a DC disconnect and AC disconnect for the grid. The business will connect the grid as a hybrid configuration and will align the batteries. Once the business has made the proper arrangements, the business will reach out to Ms. Kushner to schedule a time to come out and will notify Revdex.com of this communication

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the offer made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

[Provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.]

Regards,

If I can only respond with an 'accept' or 'reject' of their response, how can I get more specific with what I'd like them to do to resolve the issue? Their response was vague and didn't address one of my issues.

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Description: Renewable Energy, Energy Conservation Products & Services, Solar Energy Equipment & Systems Dealers, Solar Energy Products - Retail, Solar Energy Equipment & Systems Supplies & Parts

Address: 11010 Midlothian Tpke, Richmond, Virginia, United States, 23235-4710

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