If you are considering making changes to your home’s Hvac in Belmont MA, there are several things to consider. From deciding whether or not to install solar panels, to reducing the number of HVAC units that you use, to installing an air-conditioning unit that uses less energy, you can make a positive difference.
Buildings account for 86.1% of Town energy use
The City of Asheville’s Strategic Energy Plan (SEP) is a well-publicized initiative to reduce the Town’s carbon footprint. While there is much debate about exactly how the city will achieve its goals, one thing is for certain: the city will not be doing its part on its own.
The CSC will be engaging with various groups and organizations to gather ideas, insights, and yes, a few naysayers along the way. In fact, the city has already set up a steering committee to coordinate the project, which includes representatives from the Human Rights Department, Office of Sustainability, and Transportation and Transit. Some of the team will consist of city staff, some of whom will be new to the role, while others will be seasoned veterans.
A key factor in ensuring the success of this effort is the willingness of the various stakeholders to collaborate. For instance, the SEP will require some serious budgeting and staffing. But, this also means that the city has the chance to make a splash and show its neighbors what it’s made of. And, if the SEP can be incorporated into a larger regional energy strategy, the city’s energy usage will be on par with that of other cities.
The SEP has been a work in progress for a while, and the staff leadership team is committed to making sure that all stakeholders get a fair shake. On Wednesday, January 27 a public reception will be held to discuss the various elements of the plan. This event is the logical next step, as more stakeholders will be able to share their insights and ask pertinent questions.
In addition to the SEP, the city has a number of other initiatives in the works, notably the Greensboro and Chapel Hill Sustainable Communities Initiatives, which will help inform the rest of the plan. Other projects include the aforementioned re-evaluation of the city’s energy usage and a pilot program to create a community-based solar garden. Those are all big steps toward reducing the city’s carbon footprint, and the next step is to put them into practice.
Consolidation of Town and School facilities maintenance operations into a single department
The Town of Belmont has approved the formation of a consolidated facilities management group. This group will be under the direction of the Superintendent of Schools. This consolidation will create efficiencies by addressing a number of areas.
The department will continue to analyze best practices, including the use of data analytics. The goal is to better allocate and manage resources. A staffing model will also be evaluated to help identify future growth strategies.
The department has several new positions. They include a full-time professional Human Resource Generalist, who will oversee employee benefits and labor relations, and a part-time Human Resource Assistant, who will administer town health insurance and life insurance for employees. Other new positions will address the increase in student needs.
The department has also been working on transitioning administrative duties. They recently hired two firefighters and have received a SAFER grant to assist with firefighting.
The department is expected to have a minimum 0.5% budget increase. Most of the budget is spent on non-salaried costs. These include supplies and equipment. It is also necessary to consider the impact of an anticipated administrative retirement.
As part of the administration transition, a Human Resource Generalist position will be added. This position will oversee the efficient administration of all town employees.
In addition, the department will review staffing models and evaluate succession of leadership. Lastly, a more comprehensive analysis of “best practices” and other comparable towns will be undertaken.
One key element of the overall budget is employee salaries. They account for nearly two-thirds of the budget. Employee salary increases have been included in bargaining unit agreements for the past year. This represents a significant portion of the growth in total school expenditures.
The Special Education Program also saw an increase in costs. Specifically, out-of-district tuition and transportation costs are increasing by 28%. Contract services are also increasing. Additionally, a major capital investment is expected for sidewalks.
The Department of Public Works provides a variety of essential town services. They include solid waste collection, vehicle fleet maintenance, snow removal, and recreation activities.
Photovoltaics
The Town of Belmont, Massachusetts is home to a large population of 25,520. While the town has not specifically received proposals to install photovoltaics in Hvac in Belmont MA, it is committed to making energy efficiency improvements in its buildings.
As part of the Energy Reduction Plan (ERP), the Town has completed an extensive survey of its buildings to identify immediate and future building needs. The results indicate that the municipal building stock has grown in recent years. However, older facilities are in need of modernization.
The Town has also taken action to address the needs of its water and wastewater treatment systems. These programs provide adequate quantities of water for business use and domestic purposes, as well as reliable safe drinking water. MWRA operates and maintains the Town’s water infrastructure. In addition to providing clean, reliable drinking water, MWRA also provides wastewater treatment services.
Belmont has worked hard to implement modernization measures at its buildings, but it continues to face challenges. Today, the municipal building stock consists of a moderate number of buildings, including 33 regularly occupied buildings, four seasonal special-purpose structures, and a variety of municipal vehicles.
Although the town’s portfolio of municipal buildings is small, it contains a number of energy reduction opportunities. Many of these opportunities can be pursued immediately, while others are intended for long-term capital projects.
A comprehensive survey of the town’s buildings has determined that the majority of energy consumed by the town is related to its buildings. For example, the Beech Street Center and the Fire Headquarters account for a combined MMBtu/SF of 0.038 and 0.102. Within a few years, both buildings will reach ten year anniversary of construction.
To help meet the goal of achieving a 20% energy reduction by 2023, the Town will seek to achieve a 10% reduction in specific energy consumption by FY2014. It will also implement a plan to achieve the remaining 5% within five years. This plan will include an annual report that will be filed with the Department of Energy Resources Green Communities program.
The Town has also contracted with Hvac in Belmont MA to perform a detailed assessment of the Town’s municipal buildings. This study will focus on the relative operating efficiency of these buildings and identifies energy reduction opportunities.