“[Newport East’s] 25-year-old central cooling system was showings its age and, despite repeated repairs, kept breaking down… [Board member Andrew] Weiss hired Michael Scorrano, managing director of the engineering firm En-Power Group, to study all possible energy-efficiency upgrades, including rebates and incentives.‘[Scorrano says] First, we identified how they could become more energy-efficient and also how to get rebates from New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) and Con Edison. Then we switched to natural gas, did lighting upgrades, and started planning a new cooling and heating system.’
… The $1.4 million paid for the all-important chillers for the central cooling system. In addition to cooling the building, the chillers produce waste heat, which fuels the hot-water boilers. This means that during the summer months, the hot water is heated solely by the chillers. ‘This means we have lower operating costs, leave a smaller footprint, and have lower maintenance,’ Weiss says. According to engineer Scorrano, the co-op also saves more than $175,000 per year.
The project was finished on budget, thanks in part to a $250,000 rebate from NYSERDA that will help replenish the reserve fund.”
To read the full November 17, 2016 article in Habitat >>>> click here
