NHSPCA Energy Upgrades to Save $50K Annually

The New Hampshire SPCA recently announced that the energy upgrade project that will save approximately $50,000 each year is now complete and operational.

The renewable energy project, which began more than a year ago, was funded in part with a loan package from the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund (Community Loan Fund), using ARRA funds from the U.S. Department of Energy and the NH Office of Energy and Planning, State of New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission and the Energy Efficiency Program through the Retail Merchants Association of NH. 

The NHSPCA has gone green, converting from oil to a unique combination of insulation improvements, wood pellet boilers and solar thermal collectors.

The annual cost to operate the Adoption and Learning Center has been approximately $55,000 for oil alone (for the 2009-2010 season). To reduce energy usage and cost, the NHSPCA began to learn about energy efficiency.   After some initial steps to increase efficiency through a lighting audit and upgrade and then an upgrade to the heating and ventilation controls, we learned of an opportunity for a more significant project through the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund and the Office of Energy and Planning through the their stimulus program is called the Enterprise Energy Fund.  With stimulus money available for grants and low-interest loans our conversion to renewable energy systems began in earnest. 

Step one was an energy audit completed by The Jordan Institute.  The Jordan Institute studied how the building was insulated, located areas of air leakage, reviewed how much hot water is used to clean kennels and cages, care for animals, plus the regular domestic consumption of staff, volunteers and the public.   The findings were presented and direction chosen.

“With 3,000 animals coming through the NHSPCA each year, we use a lot of hot water,” said Lisa Dennison, NHSPCA executive director.  “Over 1,600 gallons of water is used each day in cleaning, laundry and caring for the animals; keeping them clean and comfortable as they await new homes.”

The agency chose three specific projects: a) insulating and air sealing the basements and attic to reduce air infiltration and increase insulation value, b) solar thermal collectors to preheat the vast amount of water used and c) wood pellet boilers as a renewable heat source.

Building Energy Technologies from Bow, NH completed the insulation component reducing air infiltration to 15%. The Solar Thermal system was installed by Revision Energy of Exeter and Portland, ME, adding forty Wagner C20 solar hot water plate collectors to the two south facing roofs of the Adoption Center.  The panels heat propylene glycol, the heat transfer fluid which runs down through copper piping into a customized 1500 gallon solar hot water storage tank. 

Froling Energy of Peterborough, NH designed and installed three Froling P4 wood pellet boilers to reduce oil consumption even more.  It is projected that over 80% of the oil used will be offset by wood pellets replacing 11,000 gallons of oil annually.  Two wood pellet silos were constructed housing over thirty-two tons of pellets for the heating needs required.  A third silo was constructed to hold pellets which will now be delivered in bulk replacing many, many  plastic bags that currently contain pellets used for kitty litter!

Burning wood pellets in lieu of oil produces a considerable cost savings per BTU’s produced but they are also considered carbon neutral as wood decays naturally and since the burn is very clean, there is no methane released during use. They reduce greenhouse gas emissions and will greatly reduce our carbon footprint.  It is estimated the pellet boilers in the two locations will offset approximately 2,960,000 lbs. of carbon each year.  This is equivalent to the carbon emitted annually from 23 cars! 

Finally, the pellets are purchased from a New Hampshire company who harvests the product in New Hampshire! 

We will be continuing to work with the Jordan Institute to examine the existing mechanical systems to determine other efficiencies and continue to look for additional sources of energy savings. 

“Helping the animals, helping the environment, stewarding donors contributions responsibly and, making a difference,” said Lisa Dennison.  “That’s what this project was all about.   We are truly grateful for the support that we have received through the funding agencies and our community partners in this project.”

Submitted by the NHSPCA.