SPRINGFIELD, MA — (Marketwire) — 10/14/11 — The Center for EcoTechnology (CET) is dedicated to “making green make sense,” so it–s only appropriate that a major renovation with up to 60 percent energy savings over conventional building methods was recently completed by this organization through a community partnership with Columbia Gas of Massachusetts. CET has transformed a 100-year-old brick mill building into a modern green building with the help of funding from Columbia Gas. The building will house the EcoBuilding Bargains store, a non-profit recycled construction materials retail establishment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency similar commercial buildings and manufacturing plants account for nearly half of all U.S. energy consumption or $2 billion a year. This EcoBuilding Bargains store is a green standard-bearer, using only about 1/2 of the energy than a normal building of its size, according to John Majercak, CET–s Executive Director.
The $3.3 million energy-efficient makeover of the historic structure is a forerunner in sustainable practices and is just one of the many “Deep Energy Retrofits” (or superbly-insulated, highly-airtight buildings that dramatically reduce heat loss) supported by Columbia Gas around the Commonwealth. The newly-retrofitted, 60,000-square-foot, high-performance building at 83 Warwick St., formerly a furniture warehouse, is at the gateway of an industrial corridor that is being rehabilitated by the city and stands as a high-profile model for transforming energy performance in existing commercial buildings.
The EcoBuilding Bargains store (formerly named the ReStore Home Improvement Center) will sell used surplus and environmentally-friendly building materials. In keeping with its mission of reusing valuable materials, the building was also constructed with reclaimed materials, including posts and beams salvaged from a Rhode Island bridge as well as naturally rot-resistant locust wood milled from trees harvested during parking lot construction. The building itself is highly insulated and more weather tight and efficient, with gas utility costs going from a projected $20,000 annually to just $8,000. Weather-stripped doors, windows and loading docks; state-of-the art heating and ventilation systems; high-efficiency lighting fixtures, and numerous other green features have transformed the long-vacant industrial property into a state-of-the-art, high-performance building.
Derek Buchler, manager of Energy Efficiency for Columbia Gas, which provided $50,000 for energy upgrades, said as a result of heating, lighting, and insulation improvements, the building will use half as much electricity and natural gas as it would have if it was reopened conventionally. CET also received federal stimulus energy grants and Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources funding for the project. “This Deep Energy Retrofit project shows that residents and businesses can achieve significant energy reductions of 50 percent or more while improving building quality, comfort, health, and safety,” said Buchler. “A successful Deep Energy Retrofit is comprehensive and not just limited to energy savings but also enhanced functionality, energy independence, and opportunities to improve the aesthetic appearance of the building, ultimately benefitting the entire community.”
Columbia Gas welcomes the opportunity to develop more of these types of strategic business and homeowner partnerships, by providing technical and financial assistance to help partners implement energy efficiency improvements and upgrades. The process starts with a no-cost assessment that examines existing and/or potential natural gas saving opportunities, including equipment upgrades and building shell improvements. Following the assessment, a no-obligation report highlights recommended improvements and projected financial benefits. Best of all, Columbia Gas provides generous incentives to help reduce the up-front costs of energy efficiency projects. Columbia Gas: 800 232-0120.
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