So far, 750 light fixtures replaced in town of DeWitt buildings. Annual savings expected to be $12,000.
Brad Smith (left), of Philadelphia, and Mike Brewer, of Cincinnatus, install a membrane roofing system on the DeWitt Town Hall that's designed to be more energy efficient. The two men work for Apple Roofing Corp.
The town of DeWitt this week is completing the installation of a $130,000 energy-efficient, insulated roof on its town hall and later will add solar panels, all in an effort to reduce its energy costs.
The town also has replaced nearly750 light fixtures in four buildings, with an initial one month savings of $730 in one building and an annual expected savings of $12,000 to $13,000, town officials said.
Town Supervisor Ed Michalenko said the town has been working for several years to reduce its carbon footprint and cut energy costs.
“It’s finally coming together,” he said. “Our goal is to cut our energy costs in half.”
Mike Moracco, DeWitt’s energy coordinator, said the solar panels won’t be installed on the roof until spring. The panels, which will include multiple 50-kilowatt panels, are being bid right now.
The panels, which cost $280,000 to $300,000, are projected to save the town about $12,000 a year.
The town is using $350,000 in state grants through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the state Dormitory Authority to pay for the roof and solar panels.
Three other grants totaling are pending that may help pay for the remainder of the roof/solar panel project. “Our goal is that for the roof project to be completely paid for through grants or that we’d have to pay for only a very small portion,” Moracco said.
The lighting fixtures have been replaced with energy-efficient bulbs that last longer and require less energy. They have been installed in town hall (including the police station), the highway building, parks offices and Jamesville train station, which operates a museum. Sensors that automatically dim the lights when no one is present also were installed.
The light replacement project cost $66,000, with the town paying about $31,000, Moracco said. National Grid picked up the remainder of the cost, as part of its Small Business Energy Efficiency Program. That program is open to most small businesses in the region.
National Grid recently sponsored a tour of several town buildings to showcase the energy efficiency upgrades and cost saving measures.
Elizabeth Doran can be reached at edoran@syracuse.com or 470-3012