The Queens Library recently partnered with National Grid for energy efficiency improvements in the Central Library and the newly opened Children’s Library Discovery Center. When the new children’s addition was built adjacent to the Central Library in Jamaica, a high efficiency engine driven chiller fueled by natural gas was installed for the new library and to serve the existing library building.  According to the National Grid’s estimates, the library is expected to save approximately $130,000 each year on cooling costs with the new equipment, compared to what they would have spent to operate the old steam absorption chiller that was replaced.
National Grid has supported the Queens Library’s programs and services for more than 25 years. Most recently, the company donated funding for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) books for the Children’s Library Discovery Center.
“The Children’s Library Discovery Center and all our new libraries are being built to green standards. Energy conservation is a moral issue as well as an economic one. We are so appreciative that the National Grid saw fit to reward our sustainability efforts with a $250,000 energy efficiency incentive,” said Queens Library President and CEO Thomas W. Galante.
Natural gas engine driven chillers provide customers with a reliable, proven, efficient, and cost-effective alternative to conventional electric motor powered chillers. One of the advantages is the lower operating costs because of the price advantage of the natural gas over other energy sources. Natural gas engine driven systems can cut a building’s cooling costs by a third, by eliminating most of the electrical demand associated with providing cooling.
The energy efficiency incentive from National Grid is part of the company’s large and expanding portfolio of programs designed to help residents and businesses manage their energy costs and take advantage of new technologies in energy efficiency. Since its inception in 2009, the current slate of programs has helped more than 24,000 customers on Long Island and New York City save more than five million therms which is equivalent to the amount of energy used by more than 7,000 homes in one year.