Kent scrutinizes energy efficiency

The Kent Environmental and Energy Task Force is encouraging town government to move forward on modifications to three municipal buildings to enhance in energy savings.

The task force recently received results of a study conducted in October by Air Barrier Solutions LLC, an environmental engineering company. The study was paid for by a $1,500 grant from the New England Grass Roots Environment Fund.

Air Barrier engineer Larry Harmon inspected three town buildings in Kent -- town hall, the Community House and the Swift House -- to identify locations and severity of air leakage in the buildings.

He determined energy savings could be realized if insulation changes were made at town hall and the Community House. Those savings were estimated to be in the range of $2,482 annually for town hall and $4,130 for the Community House.

Mr. Harmon determined careful consideration should be given to making a changes in the Swift House because of the "historic nature of the structure" and the extensive among of retrofitting required to make it energy efficient.

"The study is valuable on a lot of levels," said Denise Morocco, a task force member. "It gives us direction we can take on our municipal buildings and provides a prototype for commercial and residential homeowners to follow."

Ms. Morocco hopes to see the town move forward on the retrofitting, setting an example for residents.

"By publicizing doing this, we can show the steps to take to make an old, drafty home more heat efficient and more energy efficient," she added.

Selectman Karren Garrity said the study can be used as a template for retrofitting the town's other two municipal buildings.

A $200,000 STEAP grant has been received from the state for doing work required at the Community House and, with the study in place, further grants could now be applied for to continue work on other municipal buildings in town, she said.

"The study was a crucial step in what we're trying to do," Mrs. Garrity said. "The Board of Selectmen will now use the study to determine how to spend the STEAP grant on the Community House, working with the Community House Committee and the town's Building Committee."