Salem College in Winston-Salem held an open house yesterday to showcase its energy efficient improvements.
The more than $1 million project includes new burners on the boilers in the main steam plant and advanced LED lighting in the Salem Fine Arts Center and gymnasium.
Jim Lage, construction manager for Greensboro-based Brady Energy Services, said the eco-friendly improvements will help protect some of the college's most valued possessions.
“At the Fine Arts Center, we installed high efficiency boilers so the building stands alone on both the heating and cooling side. Then we did a total renovation of the building automation system sensors to bring the humidity and temperatures at a very close range,” said Lage.
The second phase of the project includes adding solar panels in the old gymnasium to help heat the college’s swimming pool. Lage said the costs for the upgrades will pay for themselves in the long run.
“You can take four blocks off of the grid by reducing the amount of natural gas that we are using in the central steam plant. Go in the Fine Arts Center and you will see the lighting is better than it has ever been and it is costing about a third of the energy. And with the other two thirds we are paying for the lighting,” said Lage.
Brady Energy Services presented a plaque to Salem College for “EarthWising” its campus. School officials say students on campus have also been active in implementing sustainable activities to help the college continue with its green efforts.
Salem College's history began more than 200 years ago, when the Moravians, an early Protestant denomination, established the village of Salem. The school for girls opened in 1772.
