Honeywell Offers Plan to Cut Stratford's Energy Costs

Representatives from Honeywell Corp. presented an energy-saving project for town and school buildings to Town Council members Monday that the company guarantees will save Stratford money.

The 15-year energy performance guarantee project proposes to cut energy use by 12 percent in town buildings and 17 percent in school buildings.

Honeywell account manager Doreen Hamilton said if savings fall below the guaranteed levels, the company would pay the town to make up the difference.

Town Council Chairman Tom Malloy (R-9) held a work session Monday for Council members to hear the company’s presentation and ask questions. He said he hopes the proposal goes before the Town Council for a vote at its Aug. 8 meeting.

Council member Stephanie D. Philips (D-2) said one hurdle may be the reluctance of some members and opposition by Stratford residents to add to the town’s debt.

Philips, who supports the proposal, argues that even though the proposal would require a $10.2 million bond authorization by the Town Council, the guaranteed energy savings over 15 years would exceed the cost of the project.

If the Council approves the contract on Aug. 8, Hamilton said Honeywell would begin work on it by September.

The project includes replacing roofs, boilers, windows, HVAC units, electrical equipment and lighting with energy efficient alternatives, and installing insulation, boiler and air conditioning controls, solar panels, wind turbines and motion sensors to turn off lights when rooms aren’t in use.

The cities of New Haven and Middletown and the Danbury Public Schools are other government entities that have contracted for similar projects, the Honeywell representatives said.

Hamilton noted that UI rebates and a $209,000 federal grant are available to help make the project more affordable.

But the biggest advantage, he said, might be a state program that provides financing at 1.8 percent interest for retrofits that exceed 20 percent energy efficiency savings. Hamilton said Honeywell believes $4.5 million of the work in Stratford is eligible for that financing.

She said the installation phase of the project would take 14 months. "Everything will be installed and accepted before you make any payments," she told the Council.

The Honeywell presentation promised the project would save more than 5 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions and about 17 tons of smog-causing pollution. The pollution reduction would be equal to the exhaust emissions from 533 cars, or 727 acres of trees, or enough electricity to power 234 homes, Hamilton said.