Green Community Act: Town of Charlton Interactive Qualifying Project

Deborah Silva (CE), Jennifer Henriquez (ECE), Joseph Szafarowicz(CE)

Advisor: Professor Kent Rissmiller

Abstract

To designate the Town of Charlton as a Green Community

under the 2008 Massachusetts Green Communities Act,

M.G.L Ch. 25 § 10. This project shows the necessary

research, data gathering, figures interpretation, cost

analysis, local political study and recommendations to put

Charlton on a viable path toward Green Community Status.

Benefits

• Grant of $150,000 to fund energy efficient projects.

• Lower energy bills estimated 20% annual savings.

• Lower carbon emission, air pollution, and air quality.

• Tax exemptions and NSTAR and Mass SAVE incentives

What is the Green Community Act?

• The Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ ambitious

attempt to reduce energy usage in local municipalities.

• Grants “Green Community” status to city/town -

Qualifier for Green Communities Grant Program.

• Raises awareness of energy and carbon reduction.

Energy Reduction Plan

Charlton will calculate savings for each fiscal year relative to the consumption

data for fiscal year 2009. The Town of Charlton will need to achieve 20%

reduction in energy use by June 30, 2014 to maintain their Green Communities status. The current reduction rate is an estimate of 5%.

Political Challenges

• In Charlton we faced opposition from citizens and

builders who believe the initial costs inherent in the

stretch code are too high to support its adoption.

• The IQP Team held several presentations and meetings

with town officials to advocate and promote awareness.

Acknowledgements:

Thanks to the Town of Charlton for the support in giving access to their data and in advocating our efforts

as well as to the Mass DOER for the documentation guidance and in supplying available resources.

References: [1] MA DOER. (2011). Green Communities Grant Program Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs

[2] Stretch Code Adoption, by Community. Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, 16 Nov. 2011. Web. 19 Feb. 2012.

<http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/doer/green-communities/grant-program/stretch-code-towns-adoption-by-community-map.pdf>.

[3] Vanasse Hangen Brustlin. (2009) Town of Charlton Action Plan. Retrieved September 2011

Stretch Code

Reduces energy usage by roughly 20%. 780

CMR 120.AA Appendix Stretch Energy Code

offer cities a more aggressive energy than

the Massachusetts Baseline Building Energy

Code (International Energy Conservation

Code- IECC 2009) that must be adopted to

receive status.

Retrofits: Targets high energy loss areas

such as: insulation, lighting, heating and

cooling systems.

Building Envelope: Air leakage though

ducts, vents, windows and doors cause heat

loss. Reinforcement through double-pane

windows, weather stripping, caulking and air

sealants will increase heat retention 1 • As-of-right sitting of renewable energy

2 • Expedited Permitting Process

3 • Energy Reduction Plan

4 • Fuel Efficient Vehicle Policy

5 • Minimize Life-Cycle-Costs: Stretch Code

Action Plan

5 Required Criteria

29%

17% 14%

13%

12%

4%

11%

Where Does My Money Go? Annual Energy Bill for a typical Single Family

Home is approximately $2,200

HeatingCoolingWater HeatingAppliancesLightingElectronics

27,215

3,011

49,177

286,092

122,623

505,935

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

CO2 Emissions (lbs.)

Town Hall

Charlton PoliceDept.

Charlton PublicLibrary

Charlton Fire Dept.

Charlton HighwayDept.

$4

$2

$9,715

$454,649

$20 ,134

$101,697

$0 $20 $40 $60 $80 $100 $120

Cost

4

27

63

85

93

0 20 40 60 80 100

kBTU/sqft thousands thousands

Punch list Items Completion Date

1) Have adequate as-of-right zoning in place

Town counsel letter certifying that the existing zoning complies

2) Have expedited permitting process in place

Town counsel letter affirming conformance of expedited permitting

3)Create an energy inventory

Draft an Energy Reduction Plan

Adopt the Energy Reduction Plan July

4)Complete vehicle inventory list to determine non-exempt vehicles

Adopt a Fuel Efficient Vehicle Policy July

5)Conduct public outreach on Stretch Energy Code April

Adopt the Stretch Energy Code at Town Meeting May

Submit required documentation for Green Communities July

Cash Flow Analysis for Stretch Code Improvement

Description Stretch Code with

ENERGY STAR Annual Costs

Improvement Costs $5,576 HERS Rater Fee $900 HERS Rater reimbursement ($650) ENERGY STAR Incentive ($650) Total Improvement Costs $5,176 Mortgage Payment Increase ($376) Annual Energy Cost before savings $6,510 Annual Energy Costs $5,055 Annual Energy Savings $1,455 Total Savings $1,079 Note: Average Home 4,462sft; HERS Index 65; Mortgage Interest Rate 6%; Loan Term of 30 years

Insulation poorly fitted (left)

Blower Door Testing (on right)

Infrared images shows flaws in insulation

Home Energy Rating

System (HERS):

The consumption of

energy use through

analysis of a home’s

performance to the

ENERGY STAR

guidelines. New

construction less than

3,000 sqft must meet

HERS Index of 70.

0

5000

10000

15000

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

kWh

Town Hall Electricity Demand: 2008-2011 B2Q Energy Audit

Recommendations • HVAC & Controls Improvement: Compressed Air Efficiency;

Comprehensive system evaluations

Refrigerated dryers

Piping improvements

Temperature Set-point

Leak repair

• Variable frequency drives (VFDs) for air compressors

• Light-emitting diode (LED) Exit Signs:T5 or T8 fluorescent lighting

systems; Electronic ballasts for lighting systems

• Building Envelope Improvements: Insulation for the Police Department

• Vapor diffusion retarders

• Vehicle Improvements: Anti-idling policy for standing vehicles