Municipal Buildings

The Jordan Institute helps municipalities understand their opportunities for energy reduction and assists them with various aspects of projects by involving the appropriate experts. Our work with municipalities draws upon Jordan’s range of expertise; from high performance building consulting through financing advice, help with energy retrofit projects and changing local policies.

Jordan can provide:

• Education for towns about the benefits of high performance buildings and the opportunities to reduce energy use
• Assistance to towns in developing “green building” ordinances and incentives
• Help in identifying municipal opportunities for energy savings
• Recommendations and guidance with project implementation including identifying experts for energy auditing or implementation
• LEED consulting services
• Project management
• Guidance in obtaining financing
• Measurement and verification

When considering building a new city library, the city of Portsmouth hired the Jordan Institute as a consultant on the benefits of LEED certification versus non-certified green design. Ultimately the City Council and Manager were convinced of the value of LEED certification and decided to pursue that goal. Jordan served as a LEED consultant for the project which earned a LEED Silver rating under LEED for New Construction.

Jordan’s assistance with the Town of Epping’s municipal buildings project prompted this quote from Clay Mitchell, Town Planner, Epping NH,

 “When the Town of Epping first stepped on its long journey toward sustainability, the universal recommendation from everyone in New Hampshire was to talk with the Jordan Institute first.  The experience we shared working with the Jordan Institute team led to our understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to buildings and energy use in New Hampshire.  As a result of the diverse knowledge, patience and expertise of the staff at the Jordan Institute, the Town of Epping was able to present and secure approval for one of the first energy efficiency and sustainable design ordinances in the United States.  Following this, Jordan again provided guidance on our own municipal building projects that have led to the first PV solar system on a Town Hall in New Hampshire, the first installation in North America of the ecopower combined heat and power system from Marathon Engine Systems in Wisconsin and a newly refurbished 100+ year old building that has reduced our energy costs for the Town Hall by 50% and reduced our building’s carbon footprint by 75% (numbers verified from the last 8 months of billing data and use of RETScreen and EPA CHP Partnership emissions modeling software).”

Original - Two 600,000 BTUH boilers at 70% efficiency

Replaced with one 45,000 BTU CHP (Combined Heat & Power) system at 95% efficiency and a supplemental 60,000 to 300,000 BTU modulating boiler  at 97% efficiency. 60% reduction in energy bills.