Follow this link for the Air Barrier Assessment / Summary Report for Town Hall, Community House, Swift House Conservation and Alternative Energy Group. For the Usage and Cost Calculations click HERE. The full report of the Air Barrier Assessment is also available for download: Air Barrier Assessment / Full Report.
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The Conservation and Alternative Energy Group (CAEG), sub committee of the KEETF, has worked very hard to provide this summary. One of the many things that was learned in this process is that we did our steps out of order. It is our recommendation that you begin your process with an over all assessment of your ‘Building Envelope’. Basically this means that you evaluate the major heating and cooling systems, insulation and look for any barrier leaks. The Home Energy Solutions (HES) program offered through the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund is an excellent way to start.
Please contactus@kentEdrive.org for information on how to schedule this energy audit and how to receive this service at a discount.
Below is a review of what has been done at Town Hall as well as a template that can be applied to your home or business. To read the CAEG summary report , which includes helpful suggestions, How Tos and Whys, as well as resource links, click here.
Step 1: Behavioral changes
Simple habits make a significant difference. In Town Hall, lights are turned off in unused rooms, computers are shut down over night, and paper is recycled. Automatic thermostats have been set at appropriate levels. Here are some other easy changes you can do at home:
- Turn off lights when leaving a room
- Turn off computers when not in use (A desk top computer that is on 24/7 uses $35 of electricity every month!)
- Reduce phantom electricity loads, use power strips or unplug chargers & small appliances
- Recycle plastics, paper, and glass
- Repair drippy faucets
- Reduce showers by 1 -2 minutes
- Convert to CFL light bulbs
- Set heating thermostats at 68 degrees
- Use fans for cooling
- Run dishwashers only when full
- Wash most clothes in cold water
- Use a clothes line to dry laundry
- Use reusable shopping bags
- Kick the plastic water bottle habit
- Install low flow water savers on sinks, tubs, showers
- Insulate your hot water heater
- Insulate your attic
- Choose food and other products in the most ecological
- packaging available
- Reduce/eliminate toxic cleaning supplies and replace them
- with non-poisonous cleaning supplies
- Support businesses that promote an environmental awareness
Step 2: Lighting audit
A March 23, 2009 proposal from Alliance Energy Solutions addresses the goal of reducing Town Hall’s operating cost, improving light quality, and to lower maintenance costs; saving an estimated 30% on lighting. This is a project took advantage of the State of Connecticut sponsored tax incentive program. The projected annual savings is approximately $3,000; the payback for the project would be 3 1/2 years and can be financed at a 0% interest rate. The loan repayment has been offset almost completely by the monthly savings.
Step 3: Heating & cooling audit
Coastal Energy Services performed an initial audit on March 31, 2009.
Step 4: Building envelope Assessment
Air Barrier Solutions performed a thorough assessment on TBD. This was a study on the efficiency of existing insulation and venting systems within the building as well as an assessment of air and thermal leaks in the building. Here is the link to the report summary:
http://kentedrive.org/resources/AB+Summary-1.pdf