Seeing Green: Improvements to Burlco Complex Will Save Energy Costs

Three buildings at the Burlington County complex in Mount H0lly will  become more energy efficient through $3.2 million in equipment upgrades that will ultimately save taxpayers money, county officials recently announced. 

A grant-funded energy audit performed earlier this year by Concord Engineering Group of Voorhees identified equipment in the county's administration building, courts facility and detention center that could be removed and replaced, including HVAC components such as boilers and chillers that are obsolete. 

Upgrading this equipment will reduce the annual utility costs for the three buildings by 10 percent, county officials said in a news release. 

“This is about reducing utility costs and, in the process, saving tax dollars,” said county Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio. “It’s just that simple. At the same time, the county is setting an example for our towns and schools who are exploring green energy.”

The county freeholder board already partners with the Burlington County Bridge Commission in a “Greenbacks-To-Go-Green” program, to assist towns in securing grants for energy audits, to develop energy savings plans, and to finance upgrades.

Sixty-four Burlington County municipalities, school districts, and utility authorities were in the process of pursuing alternative energy improvements through the Greenbacks program. Typically these include improvements to lighting systems, motion sensors, hot water systems, windows and doors, and HVAC systems. 

In addition, the bridge commission is moving forward with a plan of its own to install about $286,000 in upgrades, ranging from upgraded lighting to new HVAC components. Estimated savings over 15 years will be about $498,000.

“There’s no escaping it–conserving energy to gain cost savings is the way to go,” Garganio said. “Those towns who are working through the Greenbacks program are getting valuable guidance, even as the rules for the state’s energy grants have changed.”

The initial energy audit of the county complex was funded with a $30,000 grant from the state Board of Public Utilities. The BPU also sponsors grants for modest upgrades through other programs, including Direct Install and the Smart Start Prescriptive Measures Program.

In its audit, Concord calculated current energy costs (electricity and natural gas) for the three buildings at the Mount Holly complex at more than $1.1 million annually. That tab will be reduced to about $995,000 once all improvements are made, according to the county. 

Concord was awarded a contract for engineering and construction administration at the freeholders’ meeting on June 8. 

The freeholders also recently awarded a contract to EMSA Solar LLC of Parlin, NJ, for another major element of the county’s energy plan: the construction of a mounted solar panel array on the grounds adjacent to the county engineering facility on Route 38 in Mount Laurel. The firm’s winning bid was $1,826,300.

Most of that cost will be covered through a $3.1 million federal stimulus grant the county received last year. Once it's installed and operational, the solar panel array is expected to generate enough electricity for the engineering and highway offices and garages on the site.  

The remaining portion of the stimulus grant may be used for the work at the county complex. Freeholders also will evaluate bonding options.