By Dan Aceto

Staff Writer

 Long known for saving lives of those in need, the Scarborough Fire Department will do its part this fall to save something entirely different: Energy.

The fire department was awarded a $42,750 grant by Efficiency Maine forinstallation of three gas-fired modulating-condensing boilers at the Pine Point, Pleasant Hill and North Scarborough stations. 

The town council matched the figure awarded by Efficiency Maine, bringing the total to $85,500.

The grant money was awarded as part of the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Efficiency Maine worked with the governor’s office and Legislature to allocate $2 million of $40 million the state received. 

Efficiency Maine’s commercial grant program allows industrial, commercial, municipal and nonprofit organizations to apply for grants of up to $50,000, and projects funded by the act are expected to meet goals that include energy savings, job creation or retention, and sustainable economic impact.

Rick Meinking, a business program specialist for Efficiency Maine, said the new system works on timers to output only energy needed to meet the demand for heat. The system has longer run times, and in turn reduces less-efficient cycling and temperature swings to maximize comfort. The new system will be 65 percent more efficient and is expected to save 257 million BTUs and an estimated $4,500 annually.

Meinking said the new heating systems are especially effective in climates such as Maine where weather is often variable, and that the fire department was a worthy candidate for the grant.

“It’s nice to reward communities who have made educated decisions based on technical advice,” said Meinking.

Energy Maine conducted a series of audits between December 2005 and January 2006 to determine possible energy efficiency modifications and suggested a number of renovations for stations in Scarborough. 

This marks the second grant the department has received this year, following an earlier grant of $33,009 awarded last March to install infrared heating units in the same stations. The town also matched that figure, allowing the department to spend $66,019 on installations.

Fire Department Chief Michael Thurlow said the old boiler system was due for a replacement within the next three to four years, and that this was just a good opportunity that came along at the right time. 

“This is just part of being a good steward of the town’s infrastructure,” said Thurlow. “I realize all town departments are a big investment in taxpayer dollars, and we’re going to go above and beyond all things needed to keep these buildings running smoothly and efficiently.”

Dan Aceto can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237.