The Wentworth Home in Dover is expected to cut its annual fuel costs and reduce its carbon footprint by an estimated 40% after transitioning from an oil-fired boiler to a natural gas system, according to a community announcement from Unitil.
The Wentworth Home in Dover recently switched from an aging oil-fired boiler to a new natural gas system.
The upgrade at the building, which was built in 1897 and is located at 795 Central Ave., is projected to save more than $50,000 in yearly fuel expenses. Unitil, a provider of electricity and natural gas in New England, worked with the Wentworth Home’s maintenance team to ensure the correct meter and service size were installed and to estimate potential cost savings.
“This transition to an efficient, environmentally friendly energy source like natural gas really shows how even small infrastructure upgrades can deliver significant benefits for nonprofit organizations like the Wentworth Home,” said Amanda Vicinanzo, Unitil external affairs manager. “The Wentworth Home has already realized substantial savings and has strengthened its commitment to sustainability by lowering carbon emissions and minimizing environmental impact.”
Mike Green, maintenance manager at the Wentworth Home assisted living facility in Dover, looks over the new natural gas system that replaced an older oil-fired boiler.
The facility had been using about 19,000 gallons of heating oil each year. The switch involved installing a high-efficiency condensing boiler system with a 95% efficiency rating, compared to the old oil boiler’s 75% rating.
As a result, greenhouse gas emissions are expected to drop from 418,000 to 250,800 pounds annually. The 40% reduction is equivalent to removing 42 vehicles from the road each year.
Additionally, lower maintenance requirements with cleaner combustion and improved indoor air quality will provide health benefits for residents of the facility.
The Wentworth Home in Dover recently switched from an aging oil-fired boiler to a new natural gas system.
“Wentworth Home made the crucial decision to switch to a new natural gas system after years of escalating and unstable heating oil costs,” said Kirstin Swanson, the facility’s administrator. “As a small, nonprofit assisted living home, the significant savings and stability of heating our 127-year-old home with natural gas made perfect sense.”
For more information on transitioning to natural gas, visit https://unitil.com/electric-gas-service/switch-to-gas.
This story was created by Kimberly Green, KGreen@usatodayco.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more.
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Wentworth Home cuts fuel costs by 40% with natural gas, Unitil says
