In collaboration with Unitil, a provider of electricity and natural gas in New England, Lunenburg town officials recently completed a study that identified energy-saving opportunities at nine municipal buildings, leading to energy upgrades across the town.
The comprehensive review encompassed the middle-high school, public library, grade and elementary schools, public safety building, town garage and hall, and the Ritter and Eagle House facilities.
The most significant energy savings were identified at the Lunenburg Primary School through a dual-fuel strategy that uses both heat pumps and natural gas. This approach maximizes the efficiency of the existing natural gas boiler during extreme cold and incorporates 18 new energy efficient heat pumps. The system is programmed to alternate between heat pump heating and natural gas boilers to minimize operating costs.
“Although some of these buildings are relatively new, advancements in heating and cooling system efficiency enable even greater energy savings,” said David Blatt, chair of the town's Green Communities Committee.
The combined net energy savings total 173 MMBTU annually, reflecting natural gas savings offset by increased electricity use. “The reduction in energy consumption will also decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 221 metric tons over the life of the project,” said Matt O'Keefe, energy efficiency programs coordinator for Unitil.
Additionally, the middle-high school, grade and elementary schools received refrigeration energy efficiency upgrades projected to save 16,815 kWh of electricity annually. The $36,472 project was supported by a $25,529 incentive from Unitil and a $10,942 grant from the state’s Department of Energy Resources Green Division. The grade school also received enhanced weather stripping, resulting in a $1,836 grant from the commonwealth.
Lunenburg received a $200,000 state Green Communities grant and a $113,250 Mass Save rebate to support the $715,000 project.
“Matt O’Keefe and Unitil's team were instrumental in getting this project eligible for Green Grant funding. We look forward to working with them on future projects,” said Blatt.
