Nestled along the sloped banks of the Connecticut River and its landscape’s vibrant greenery, Kendal at Hanover took a significant step toward a sustainable future in 2023. The campus completed an energy audit that was met with enthusiasm and curiosity, as residents have long recognized the importance of reducing their carbon footprint and preserving the environment for generations to come.
Kendal at Hanover updated their Guiding Principles last year to include the following statement on environmental sustainability:
Kendal at Hanover is a community committed to the appropriate use and conservation of our planet’s resources. As stewards of the earth who are called to protect and preserve the environment for future generations, we are resolved to achieve Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon neutrality throughout our campus. (Scope 1 covers direct emissions from sources controlled within an organization, and Scope 2 indirect emissions are from energy sources an organization purchases and uses.)
Energy Audit Sprint Team (EAST)
With these principles at the forefront of their efforts, a team of dedicated residents and employees formed the Energy Audit Sprint Team (EAST). EAST embarked on a journey to uncover the community’s energy consumption patterns and identify areas for improvement. Working with a professional energy auditing firm familiar with the demands created by harsh northern New England weather, EAST monitored the auditing process carefully.
The energy audit was completed in Fall 2023, and a report was prepared for the EAST members. The report included a cost analysis of what would be the most economically a feasible and impactful on energy consumption.
Working Environmental Sustainability Team (WEST)
With EAST’s work overseeing the energy audit completed, it was time to introduce a new team responsible for working through the various recommendations to develop an energy sustainability plan. This team has become known as WEST, the Working Environmental Sustainability Team.
The WEST members include a small team of residents and staff who will call upon others, including subject-matter experts, as needed. WEST’s focus is on organizing and promoting ways to address environmental responsibility, resource efficiency, and the reduction of Kendal at Hanover’s carbon footprint in accordance with the revised Guiding Principle on environmental sustainability.
As of mid-April, WEST is identifying priorities from the recommendations provided in the energy audit that will be the basis for the work plan. Some of these items include:
- Evaluation of heat pump technology for heating and cooling
- Improvements to the building envelope to reduce energy loss
- Placement of electric vehicle chargers
- Upgrades to major mechanical systems in the Community Center
- Expansion of LED lighting throughout the Community Center
New Chapter Evolving
The completion of the energy audit marked a significant milestone in the community’s journey towards environmental stewardship. With enthusiasm and dedication, residents and staff have come together as the EAST and WEST teams, embodying the spirit of collaboration and shared responsibility.
As WEST takes the reins, armed with the insights gleaned from the audit, they embark on a new chapter of action and implementation. This is also a new chapter in Kendal at Hanover’s story, one that emphasizes the timeless bond between community and environment.