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One of the most frequently asked questions at our webinars and conferences is “How do we sell the idea of sustainability?”  Our answer is; because it makes cents (sense).  One of the reasons projects are undertaken is to help the organization's bottom-line.  In the case of the New Hampshire Society for the Prevention of Cuelty to Animals (NHSPCA) executing projects that will make their facilities more sustainable will help the bottom-line and help the animals.  "NHSPCA Embraces Renewable Energy and Saves Big?” is a headline on the most recent NHSPCA Newsletter.  “It’s all about pets here at the NHSPCA, where the goal is to put all the money possible into saving animal’s lives.”

While looking at their operating budget for 2009-2010 season, to operate the Adoption and Learning Center, the noted that it was costing them over $55,000 in oil expense.  They equated that with 35,000 pounds of dog and cat food.  That can feed a lot of animals.  Projects began to take shape designed to increase efficiency through lighting audits and upgrades as well as upgrading the heating and ventilation controls.  While executing those projects, they “learned of a more significant project through the Community Loan Fund and the Office of Energy and Planning.”  There was a stimulus program called the Enterprise Energy Fund.  “With stimulus money available for grants and low interest loans our conversion to renewable energy systems began in earnest.”

The first thing the people at NHSPCA did was hire a consultant for an energy audit project.  That audit looked at insulating efficiency, hot water usage, space heating needs, etc. and made recommendations showing efficiency gains vs. potential costs, projected savings, and pay back periods.  It allowed the NHSPCA to choose which projects had the most “bang for the buck.”  Out of the many possible projects, they chose 3; insulating and air sealing the basements and attics, solar thermal collectors to preheat the vast amount of hot water they use on a daily basis, and wood pellet boilers as renewable heat sources. 

Bottom-line, and we all care about the bottom-line, it is projected that 80% of the oil used (11,000 gallons) will be offset by the pellet heating.  Not only is there a considerable cost savings for the equivalent number of BTUs used, since the burn is very clean, the carbon foot print is reduced, and estimated offset of almost 3 million lbs of CO2.  Finally, the pellets are purchased from a company that harvests locally (profits, planet, and people). 

“We will be continuing to work with the Jordan Institute, (“The Jordan Institute is comprised of uniquely motivated staff whose collective experience includes energy policy, residential construction, engineering, project management, education, and architecture.”) to examine the existing mechanical systems to determine other efficiencies and continue to look for additional sources of energy savings.  We are tracking and recording our energy consumption so stayed tuned to see our actual energy savings!”  Be sure, we will and let you know how the projects pay off.


Posted by Dave Shirley on: May 19, 2012 05:14 PM | Permalink

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