Retirement center goes green
thanks to Efficiency Maine
PRESQUE ISLE — Through Efficiency Maine’s programs in fiscal year 2014-2015, Leisure Gardens and Leisure Village of Presque Isle, a 137-unit retirement center at 4 & 6 Dewberry Drive, was able to considerably reduce their carbon footprint.
Staff Photo/Mark Putnam
GOING GREEN — Leisure Gardens and Leisure Village of Presque Isle recently completed a number of upgrades to reduce their carbon footprint and garner energy cost savings. On the grounds are, from left, Al Cyr, owner of the Presque Isle Nursing Home/Leisure Village and Gardens; Darren Carlisle of Carlisle Electric; Brandon Ballard, Gilman Electric; Doug Cyr, manager of Leisure Village/Gardens; and Ed Lilley of NEI.
The facilities have invested approximately $31,000 in LED lighting fixtures upgrades, and received over $15,000 back in rebates. Further, they have invested approximately $22,000 in heating and hot water system upgrades, and received over $6,000 back in rebates. In total, they have received over $21,000 in rebates from the state of Maine.
The lighting project is estimated to pay itself back in approximately 2.5 years. Some general lighting areas that are on 24 hours a day, such as hallways, have an estimated payback of only six months. Additionally, the original 1980s heating system has been upgraded to a new boiler that hangs on the wall and is 96 percent efficient.
All of this is in addition to their 48-panel solar energy project that was funded partially by the state in 2010, and will continue to assist in water heating costs for years to come.
Without the rebates, these upgrades would not have been cost-effective, center officials said, and the buildings would still have older technology. These programs have helped their senior and elderly residents by keeping utility costs down and reducing the need for rent increases.
Assisting with the most recent projects were local vendors Gilman Electric Supply, Carlisle Electric, NEI Inc. and Kurt Lane Plumbing.
