Energy savings realized in Kittery

May 22, 2012 | George Kathios, superintendent of wastewater services, said the pellet boilers replaced a 20-year-old "very inefficient" oil furnace and six propane heaters. KITTERY, Maine — Two wood pellet boilers installed in the fall at Kittery's wastewater treatment plant have already saved $5,000 in fuel costs — and are among the first steps toward a goal of becoming energy self-sufficient. The 191,000-British thermal unit pellet boilers cost the town $88,000, including installation. When he started researching a replacement for the oil furnace, the Town Council was clear: There had to be payback within 10 years, he said. The contractor, EC Robbins Construction of Eliot, was looking to add the installation of pellet systems to its business, and its bid was $68,000 less than the next-highest bidder. "It's about time we stopped talking about becoming independent from fossil fuels and take action to accomplish that goal," Kathios said. He investigated natural gas as an option, but the line does not come into that part of Kittery. Read more »

More than 500 families get grants for heat

May 22, 2012 | Union Gas was second at more than $60000, while furnace oil accounted for just over $34000 worth of grants. Westario Power grants were close to $24000, while grants for wood and propane were just under $5000 each. The program also provided grants for

System that Caused Deadly CO Leak at Hotel Not Inspected; Construction Owner ...

May 22, 2012 | I had never had a gas furnace, but something made me worry. There were CO detectors in parts of the house, but at night all bedroom doors were closed. I went to Lowe's and bought a couple extra detectors and plugged them in.

Gas prices nudge up another 2 cents

May 22, 2012 | Consumers who rely on furnace oil, though, caught a break, with prices dropping by 0.09 cents per litre. Propane dropped by 0.9 cents per litre, although stove oil was up by 0.51 cents per litre. The chart below shows how average gas prices in