A nearly completed natural gas conversion project at an apartment complex in Dover represents a successful merging of energy efficiency, cost savings and cooperative strategic thinking.
That's the assessment of the three companies involved in the six-figure, eight-building and 13-boiler conversion at Royal Oak Apartments — Unitil in Hampton, the S.G. Torrice regional office in Portsmouth and Farmington-based Joy's HVAC Services.
"The switch from oil to natural gas for the project began in August 2011 but we started planning months before that," said Daniel Carroll, territory manager for S.G. Torrice, a major HVAC equipment supply company.
Carroll said one of his tasks was "to facilitate" the entire project, which included planning, equipment contracts and creating proper specifications. One crucial task was the extension of a natural gas pipeline by about 100 yards by Unitil to Royal Oaks. Carroll said the team also had to create specifications to fit Unitil's requirements, which he said was easily done.
...Unitil officials said Royal Oaks has qualified for as much as $27,000 in energy efficiency rebates from the company for this conversion. It has received $11,000 to date and will get the rest as the last of the new boilers are installed as scheduled over the next month.
"Updating to more efficient boilers isn't just about cost savings, it is also often about a better quality of life, allowing people to be warmer and more comfortable in the winter months," said Alec O'Meara, Unitil media relations manager. "The Royal Oaks conversion has been an ongoing project for a number of years, and it has been great to see the conversion come together for residents this spring."
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