The Hamden Board of Education (BOE) was recently honored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for achieving ENERGY STAR® certification in four of its buildings during 2016. This accreditation is a result of the town’s investment in energy efficient efforts, as well as their involvement with the Clean Energy Communities program provided to Hamden by UI as part of the Energize Connecticut initiative.
“I am incredibly proud to witness tangible results from our commitment to energy efficiency,” said Curt Balzano Leng, mayor, town of Hamden. “The town of Hamden is continually discovering and implementing innovative ways to reduce our energy and water consumption, and cut energy costs.”
To qualify for ENERGY STAR certification, a building must score 75 or higher on a scale of one to 100 based on strict performance guidelines set by the EPA. On average, ENERGY STAR certified facilities use 35 percent less energy than similar buildings, and release 35 percent less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
“With support from United Illuminating through the Clean Energy Communities program, we have made a direct investment in our energy efficient futures,” said Dale Kroop, director of energy, Hamden Board of Education. “These ENERGY STAR certifications were made possible by capitalizing on available incentives to implement Energy Management Systems and upgrade our lighting and heating ventilation and cooling units.”
The following buildings received ENERGY STAR certification:
- Church Street Elementary School
- Dunbar Hill Elementary School
- Offices of Hamden’s Board of Education
- Spring Glen Elementary School
“In addition to physical upgrades, this tremendous accomplishment stems from a town-wide commitment to strategically managing consumption and implementing low or no cost ways to reduce energy,” added Mark Albanese, director of facilities, Hamden Public Schools.
When joining Clean Energy Communities in 2012, Hamden pledged to reduce energy consumption by 20 percent and support renewable energy by 20 percent by 2018.
To learn more about Clean Energy Communities, or any of the programs offered through the Energize Connecticut initiative, please visit energizect.com or call 877-WISE-USE.
About Energize Connecticut
Energize Connecticut helps you save money and use clean energy. It is an initiative of the State of Connecticut, the Connecticut Green Bank, Eversource, UI, SCG and CNG, with funding from a charge on customer energy bills. Information on energy-saving programs can be found at EnergizeCT.com or by calling 877.WISE.USE.
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