CHITTENDEN EAST SCHOOLS
Institutional*Location: Mt. Mansfield, Vermont
*Type of Building: 2 middle schools, 1 high school
*Year Technologies Installed: Middle School:1992, High School:1997*Renewable Energies:
Biomass, woodchip heater*Motivations:
In 1991, the middle schools were in the process of installing additions and the heating source was considered. Woodchip burners were not installed at the same time as the additions, but the heating system was evaluated soon after and woodchip burners installed in 1992. The motivation to do this was mainly economic. At the time, the town Energy Coordinator was an advocate of woodchip heating systems and influenced the decision of the school board to make the transition to biomass. However, there was also an environmental component as well - woodchip burners are a renewable, local source of energy. This system allowed energy dollars to stay in the community instead of going overseas to foreign oil. Additionally, using biomass to heat the schools would help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions being released from the school.*Costs and Finances:
The woodchip burner was installed in the high school in 1997, when the school received an addition. Because the school district had saved money from the two middle schools, it was an easy decision to convert the high school as well. It cost $1 million to convert the two middle schools, which took only one year to pay off. A study done at the high school in 2002 found that heating oil would need to cost $0.47 a gallon to match the price of wood. To heat the school with woodchips costs about 30% of what it would it would cost to heat the school with oil. Another financial comparison between woodchips and oil can be seen in the value each has from 1 million BTUs (British Thermal Units, the system used to measure energy). One million BTUs of oil costs $20; one million BTUs of woodchips costs $4 or $5. Thirty percent of the project was financed by State Construction Aid and a municipal bond paid for the rest of the project. The one year payoff period paid off both the bond and its interest.*Thoughts on the Project:
The school district is very happy with the woodchip burner systems. The savings have been excellent and they are now able to produce heat for their schools in a clean, renewable way.
