The contractor who bought and renovated the Pottsville Senior Community Center a few years ago has been featured in a new book about finding financial success in the tough economy.
"You can save money by installing solar panels, just do your homework first," Stephen R. Buzalko, 55, of Pottsville, owner of Buzalko Properties and Buzalko Woodworking, said Monday.
In April 2010, he put a solar system atop his home at 660 Gordon Nagle Trail, Pottsville. Later this month, he plans to install them atop the Pottsville Senior Community Center, 201 N. Centre St., Pottsville.
Buzalko is featured in a book released Aug. 6, "Clark Howard's Living Large for the Long Haul: Consumer-Tested Ways to Overhaul Your Finances, Increase Your Savings and Get Your Life Back on Track," published by Avery Trade, New York.
Howard is a nationally syndicated consumer expert who advises consumers on saving more, spending less, and avoiding being ripped off. His radio show is heard every day on more than 200 radio stations throughout North America. He is also co-host of HLN's nightly news program "Evening Express" with CNN's Ryan Smith, according to Howard's website at clarkhoward.com.
Buzalko said Howard, of Atlanta, Ga., wanted to tell his story, after reading posts Buzalko made on an Internet blog dedicated to solar energy last year.
"I was on his website looking for information about self-directed IRAs and retirement accounts and I saw a thread about solar energy. Somebody was asking 'Is it worthwhile?' So I put my two cents in," Buzalko said.
In particular, Buzalko advised buyers to get at least three quotes and to question contractors before hiring them.
"Ask them how many systems they've installed, how long they've been in business, who's going to apply for grants and submit the paperwork and who pays for the permits," Buzalko said.
In September 2012, Howard interviewed Buzalko by email.
Buzalko's story is featured in a five-page chapter titled "Solar Saver," which begins on Page 147. In it, he talks about how he installed solar panels at his 2,000-square-foot home at 660 Gordon Nagle Trail and saved money.
Born in Schuylkill Haven Oct. 30, 1957, Buzalko graduated from Schuylkill Haven Area High School in 1975. He served in the Army for three years and was honorably discharged with the rank of E-4.
In 1985, he opened Buzalko Woodworking on Mount Hope Avenue, Pottsville. He moved his business to 660 Gordon Nagle Trail in 1989.
In April 2010, Buzalko hired a contractor to put in a 10-kilowatt solar system with 50 roof-mounted panels atop his Gordon Nagle Trail home and office. The project cost was $55,000.
By doing research on grants, Buzalko was able to save money on the project. In particular, he received a $19,500 grant through the Pennsylvania Sunshine Program and a $16,500 federal tax credit on his 2010 taxes. In the end, he said he paid "about $19,000" for the system.
In February 2003, Buzalko and his wife, Ann Marie C. Buzalko, bought the three-story building at 201 N. Centre St. from National Loan Investors for $65,000, according to the online Schuylkill Parcel Locator.
The Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services contracts Diakon Community Services for Seniors, Pottsville, to manage the Pottsville Senior Community Center, Karen Wood, the director of Diakon in Pottsville, said Monday.
The Pottsville Senior Community Center has been headquartered on the first floor of the 201 N. Centre St. property "more than 15 years," Wood said.
Meanwhile there's a tenant in a second-floor apartment and the third floor is vacant.
Wood praised Buzalko's decision to put solar panels atop the building.
"He's one of those guys who's really trying to improve the community. He really takes care of the properties he owns and I couldn't ask for a better landlord," Wood said.
Buzalko hired Gridsmart Solar, Schuylkill Haven, to install a 12-kilowatt solar system with 52 roof-mounted panels atop the building.
"It's going to take up pretty much the whole roof," he said.
The project cost is $28,000. But he received incentives including an $8,500 Pennsylvania Sunshine Grant and an $8,400 federal tax credit. He said his total out-of-pocket expenses may be "around $5,150."
"The project should pay for itself after about six years," he said. "Right now, we pay about $400 or $500 per month for electricity. When these go up, I'm hoping it cuts that bill in half to either $200 or $250 per month. That's what I'm hoping for during the months of spring, summer and fall. We won't get that kind of return in the winter," Buzalko said.
Aside from his business on Gordon Nagle Trail and 201 N. Centre St., Buzalko owns three other properties in Pottsville: an office building at 200 N. Second St., an office building at 405 W. Norwegian St. and a vacant downtown office building at 108 N. Centre St. He also owns 401 Beechwood Ave. in Mar Lin, location of the U.S. Post Office, and a house at 322 N. Center St., Frackville.
He's also been a member of the city's Historical Architectural Review Board for five years.
Howard could not be reached for comment Monday, but a message was left with Grace Del Rio, his assistant in Atlanta, Ga.