LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake County is feeling the warmth of energy savings this holiday season.
The county used federal stimulus funds to install energy efficient heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
More than 20 HVAC systems were retrofitted at government-owned buildings, including Juvenile Hall, the Mental Health Department, Probation Department Annex, and the Lake County Courthouse.
The new HVAC units replaced older, less efficient equipment and enable the county to save on heating energy costs.
Additionally, 15 HVAC controls and 180 sensors were installed, allowing operators to control building temperature and humidity.
The project is estimated to save Lake County 67,722 kilowatt hours or the equivalent of $10,360 in annual energy costs.
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is estimated at 35,486 pounds per year.
Completed in March, the HVAC project was funded by a $160,000 grant from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program of the U.S. Department of Energy under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).
Administered by the California Energy Commission, these federal grants contribute to the energy efficiency goals of small cities and counties.
Federal stimulus funds to small cities and counties awarded under the ARRA's Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants (EECBG) and administered by the Energy Commission are providing more than $32 million to more than 270 eligible localities throughout California.
Large cities and counties are receiving funding directly from the US Department of Energy.