Greening New Salem
In 2009 the New Salem Energy Committee applied, and the town received a grant of $135,000 to improve the efficiency of the library, the old library, the Stowell Building, the Main Fire Station and the Town Hall. The grant funds paid for 100% of the improvements. The buildings were audited and efficiency measures were proposed and evaluated for savings. The efficiency upgrades consisted mainly of insulating the attics of all the buildings, improving the efficiency of the ventilation system and installing window quilts in the new library. In the fire station the walls were insulated, the windows were replaced and the total window area was significantly reduced. In the town hall the attic and walls were insulated and improvements were made to the heating system but since the building has been unoccupied and unheated the past 2 winters, analysis of the savings are not possible.
In the winter of 2008-9, before the improvements, the other buildings used a total of 4855 gallons of fuel. During the winter of 2010 – 11 after most of the upgrades were completed the buildings used 2849 a savings of 41% and an annual fuel bill savings of approximately $ 6,900. After all the improvements were completed the winter of 2011-12 saw a further reduction in usage to 2022 gallons of fuel , a 58% improvement over the winter of 2008-09 and an annual savings of approximately $9,604. This past winter was about 15% milder than normal so even accounting for that the buildings are performing well. In addition to the cost savings benefit to the town the reduction of 2833 gallons of less fuel used translates into a reduction of approximately 75,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions per year. The following chart details each buildings usage over the past 4 years:
|
Usage (gallons) |
||||
Year |
Main Fire Station |
Stowell Building |
Main Library |
Old Library |
Totals |
2008-09 |
1817 |
1041 |
1528 |
469 |
4855 |
2009-10 |
1801 |
809 |
1393 |
390 |
4393 |
2010-11 |
828 |
788 |
932 |
301 |
2849 |
2011-12 |
649 |
606 |
597 |
170 |
2022 |
Reduction(2008 to 2012) |
1168 |
435 |
931 |
299 |
2833 |
% improvement |
64% |
42% |
61% |
64% |
58% |
Cost savings |
$4,008 |
$1523 |
$3026 |
$1047 |
$9,604 |
Note: The Main Library uses propane for heating fuel and the other 3 buildings use oil.
New Salem is another town with Green Community Designation.