Energy-Efficient Upgrades In Schools Should Reduce Consumption, Lower Costs

Heating system upgrades nearing completion in two of Reading's elementary schools could help the town gain access to more state funds for infrastructure improvements.

Earlier this year, 35 Massachusetts cities and towns—some with populations as small as 1,800, others as large as 182,000—were designated as "Green Communities" by the Department of Energy Resources. Under the Green Communities Act, an energy reform bill signed by Gov. Deval Patrick in July 2008, the municipalities now qualify for a number of exclusive grants.

Reading was not one of the 35 designated bodies in this group, but recent investments, which include a number of environmentally conscious projects, make it a likely contender for the next round.

The town approved funding for a $5.5 million renovation project in April 2009. The project, which consists of equipment and infrastructure upgrades at several school and town buildings, broke ground last July and is expected to wrap in January. Significant work was performed at Birch Meadow Elementary and Killam Elementary this summer.

According to Mary DeLai, Director of Finance and Operations at Reading Public Schools, new ventilator units were installed in all of the classrooms at both schools. Additionally, an energy management system was installed at Birch Meadow, and the steam heating system, which was original to the school, was converted to a hot water system.

Birch Meadow Principal Eric Sprung said the upgrade would improve the school's learning environment.  In addition to saving energy and money, the updated system will allow the faculty better control over classroom temperatures. In the past, he said, heat had been unevenly distributed through the school. Some areas were constantly hot, while others were consistently cooler.

DeLai said most of the schools' upgrades are complete and that, once classes are in session, any additional work will be performed during second or third shift, to avoid disrupting the students.

"The work that's left won't create dust or debris in the classroom space. It's mostly overlaying energy controls and testing components in the energy management system, stuff like that," she explained.

Upgrades to other town buildings include occupancy sensors -- which allow operations staff to better manage energy consumption -- high-efficiency light fixtures, new air conditioning units and new boilers.

The town signed an Energy Savings Performance Contract with Noresco, a leading energy service provider, for the project. The contract, DeLai said, allows the town to use the monetary savings realized each year (as a result of reduced energy consumption) to help pay for the improvements.

"In essence, these upgrades will pay for themselves over time," she said, noting $3.8 million is expected to be made up over the first 15 years. A $150,000 energy efficiency grant, awarded to Reading from the state as part of the stimulus program, will also help offset costs.

"The town manager is working hard to get Reading designated as a Green Community," DeLai said. "Overall, the town is very committed."