Who says it’s not easy being green?

Measures taken at Penacook Place are both environmentally and economically friendly

HAVERHILL – In recent months, Penacook Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has taken several steps to become more environmentally friendly, making changes to everything from how the facility provides its power and heat, to its laundry operations, landscaping and more. According to President & CEO Julian Rich, Penacook is willing to investigate any opportunities to shrink its carbon footprint, especially those that will also result in cost savings and reduced energy consumption..

“As a non-profit institution with limited resources of revenue, we are open to all options for reducing operating costs,” said Rich. “Being good stewards of the earth is important too, so it’s great when we can achieve both of those objectives.”

Earlier this year, Penacook entered into an agreement with Waltham-based American DG Energy, Inc., which installed an on-site 75kW cogeneration facility at Penacook. The contractor owns, operates and maintains the cogeneration equipment, which produces clean energy in the form of electricity and space heating, then sells it to Penacook at a price lower than that available from the local energy utility. Penacook pays only for the energy it uses, avoids all capital, installation and operating costs and receives the added benefit of reducing its reliance on its existing heating system, which should extend the life of its boiler plant. The equipment also lowers Penacook’s greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 306 tons of CO2 gas each year, the equivalent of planting 83 acres of trees or eliminating the emissions of 52 cars.

“It was one of the easiest executive decisions I’ve ever made,” said Rich.

Other efforts include the installation of an ozone laundry system. The system has made Penacook’s laundry operations 25 percent more energy efficient by practically eliminating the use of hot water and also has the advantage of whiter and softer laundry, which is a great benefit for residents.

In addition to recycling its own paper, Penacook is a drop-off point for paper recycling. Employees, residents’ families and other members of the community can drop off old magazines, books, office paper, etc… When a certain amount of tonnage is reached, the vendor, AbitibiBowater Paper Retriever, cuts a check for $15. Penacook’s cooking oil supplier, American By Products, Inc., is also paying $15 a barrel to buy back used cooking oil to be converted into bio diesel fuel. Since April of this year, Penacook has received a total of $45 for its used cooking oil The amounts of money involved may seem small, but it is all put to good use, helping to fund activities and programs for residents.

“We work within small margins so it all adds up,” said Penacook’s Administrator in Training John Schneider. As part of the requirements to obtain a license as a nursing home administrator, John has taken on special project responsibilities, some of which relate to the “greening” of the facility.  Formerly a commercial landscaper, Schneider has upgraded the landscaping at Penacook using drought resistant and native plants, which saves water and preserves the local ecosystem. “His experience has contributed to our ability to be more environmentally conscious,” said Rich.

Located at 150 Water St., the 160-bed Penacook Place is the only not-for-profit nursing and rehabilitation facility serving the city of Haverhill. Penacook Place has a professional staff of 230 employees. Contributions that support the purchase of new equipment, renovations and resident activities can be made to the Friends of Penacook Fund, c/o Penacook Place, 150 Water St., Haverhill, MA, 01830.