Upgraded heating plan will replace old boiler system
July 7, 2008
|
Behind these doors are two large boilers which the College has retired in favor of smaller and higher efficiency boilers located in separate buildings. |
Work began in May to retire the old boiler plant which has serviced the oldest buildings on campus and replace it with a much more energy-efficient system. The project is set to be completed by August 29, 2008.
Heating for most of the buildings on the lower campus has been supplied by a boiler system in use since 1897. Before being shut down this spring, steam lines serviced Farrar and Aagard Residence Halls, Schimmel, Music House, Academic Center, and Campus Care buildings. Over time, aging pipes and pumps resulted in increased maintenance and rapidly decreasing efficiency. Rather than continue to face mounting maintenance and energy costs, Corban’s Board of Trustees voted to move ahead with the plan to upgrade at their quarterly meeting in February.
Replacing the old boiler plant will be six individual boilers in each of the buildings previously serviced by the underground steam lines. Furnaces will be installed in the smaller buildings or “cottages” on Western Way—the newly named “Alumni House” or Cottage 14 and the Adult Degree Program building. This eliminates the need for the old underground steam lines, which will be capped off, and requires no digging or ground disturbance in the installation process. Existing steam radiators in the buildings will continue to be used.
 |
This Cleaver Brooks boiler, with a capacity of over 1000 gallons, was put into service in 1969 as part of the boiler system that heated the major buildings on campus. Campus Care kept it well maintained and State-certified during all of its years of operation. |
The College chose McKinstry Energy Services, known for its energy improvement services throughout the Northwest, to perform the upgrade. Beginning with an energy audit in February funded by an incentive program with Energy Trust of Oregon, the entire project itself is being funded by a 15-year SELP (Energy Loan Program) Loan through the Oregon Department of Energy.
“This is one of the best economic returns on a boiler replacement I’ve ever seen,” said Chris Bristow, Account Manager for McKinstry’s Salem office. “Self-funding programs like this work well for institutions that don’t have capital funds available up front.”
Dr. Reno Hoff, President, said in May that the College would realize savings at an average of about $11,000 per year (after loan payments and interest costs).
According to Bristow, the audit revealed that besides the old boiler system and some lighting/heating issues in the C.E. Jeffers Sports Center, the college is in good shape. He noted that the newest buildings on campus (residence halls Balyo and Davidson) are very efficient.
|
Six new boilers like this one will be installed in campus buildings previously serviced by the old boiler. |
By late June, more efficient T-5 lights and HVAC controls had already been installed in the Sports Center. Other portions of the project were also well underway by early July, including new furnaces in the smaller buildings.
Corban joins the growing lineup of other institutions in the area which have made energy-saving improvements. Bristow also listed Western Oregon University, George Fox University, and Mount Angel, Salem-Keizer School Districts, and Greater Albany School Districts. He also indicated that the Salem Courthouse and nearby Work Release Center had submitted requests for proposals on similar projects.
“Corban is doing an excellent job at reducing its carbon footprint,” Bristow pointed out. “You’re reducing emissions and doing it in a manner that makes good fiscal sense.”
