Activities

See our meeting agendas and minutes for the latest information on our activities.

2009 Activities

In its second full year of service to the town, the Center Harbor Energy Committee has completed a Comprehensive Level II Energy Analysis of three town-owned buildings and is now seeking town approval to initiate implementation of the recommended energy-efficiency measures in 2010.

In early 2009, the Jordan Institute conducted a no-cost energy audit of town buildings that identified how several could benefit from energy-efficiency measures. The committee then arranged for the Jordan Institute to perform a Comprehensive Level II Energy Analysis of the Municipal Building, Town Garage, and Town Library. Their report was delivered in late 2009 and confirmed that the Municipal Building and Town Garage have fairly poor energy efficiency when compared to similar structures.

The report further identified several no-cost to low-cost energy-saving initiatives, as well as twelve efficiency measures with varying costs and payback periods. The Energy Analysis findings and recommendations are currently being studied by the committee and others so as to provide guidance to the selectmen and the town. It is expected that the completion of these initiatives will likely span several years depending on Town funding and as grants can be obtained to help fund specific projects.

Other accomplishments in 2009:

• Developed and distributed an informative handout at Town Meeting and also posted the energy-saving tips on this website.
• Supported the Dark Sky Initiative that Governor Lynch signed on July 15, 2009.
• Obtained an inventory of town streetlights to consider alternatives for potential energy savings and determined there were no practical solutions considering the relatively few lights involved.
• Provided input on energy efficiency to the Building Committee regarding design of the new Police Station.
• Drafted a handout to be included with building permits that provides energy-efficiency recommendations for new construction and renovations.
• Maintained this website.

2008 Activities

In its first full year of operations, the Center Harbor Energy Committee intensified its focus on:

• Exploring energy-saving measures that could be immediately effective
• Developing a longer-term strategy for the Town
• Working with other energy committees, non-profit organizations, and the State to share information and take advantages of economies of scale inherent in joint operations.

In the short term, our goal has been to build public awareness of savings opportunities and look for ‘quick fix’ opportunities for residential and town buildings. These efforts have included:

• Mounting The Great Light Bulb Giveaway and Cake raffle on November 4th, 2008, with our thanks to NH Electric Co-op, Heath’s Supermarket, Cakes by the Lake, and Christopher P. Williams, Architects.
• Bringing the Jordan Institute and NHEC specialists to audit all Town buildings for possible ‘easy’ savings opportunities and identifying longer term inefficiencies. Immediate benefits have included installing a new, well-insulated door on the north side of the Firehouse and turning off the main boiler in the summer.
• Getting our website (www.realitychec.com) up and running to provide timely energy savings tips and information on local energy fairs, workshops, etc.
• Publishing public service announcements to promote, for example, the light bulb giveaway program.

The Committee is also working with other town organizations, like the Planning Board, to identify projects that, in time, could well save the Town money – as well as improve quality of life. For example:

• Conducting an inventory of all Town lighting with the aim of eliminating unnecessary outdoor lights and replacing current, wasteful fixtures with those that are more energy-efficient
• Supporting the ‘Dark Sky Initiative’ (see An Act Relative to Outdoor Lighting Efficiency, 2009 Houst Bill 585-FN.

And, finally, the Committee, working with the Lakes Region Planning Commission, helped initiate the Lakes Region Energy Alliance, which has now met three times. This Alliance will be looking for larger scale savings opportunities and is already sponsoring seminars and workshops.

2007 Activities

On September 12, 2007, Bart Coudert (CHEC) met with Mr. Bill Smith, a representative from the NH Electric Coop, in an effort to determine ways to save energy in the town office. The most obvious conclusion was that the lighting needed to be upgraded. Currently in the town office and in the fire station, either old style incandescent bulbs on dimmer switches or T-12 florescent bulbs are being used. These energy hogs should be replaced with the more efficient and longer lasting HPT8's, a new type of florescent which is a ballast and bulb unit. The cupola lighting and lighting in the entryway are also in question. Mr. Smith suggested that we start with the most used rooms and replace those bulbs first.

In the fire station, Mr. Smith noted that the oil-fired heating system (oil) was rated at 81% efficient. A more modern system is 95% efficient. The Pepsi machine on the exterior of the fire station was estimated to use up to 400 kWh per month ($60).  The committee suggests that future upgrading to the town office or fire station should be done with energy conservation in mind.