Library to go energy efficient

East Meadow Public Library, and its disconnected family of wires and pipes, is the only library on Long Island to have been awarded federal stimulus money toward energy efficiency in the first two phases of a four-wave grant bestowal process through the State Energy Program.
    
So far the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority has administered $63 million —mainly to schools and municipalities whose heating and cooling systems are dated, or could use more efficient lighting through the State Energy Program, a U.S. Department of Energy vehicle. Awards are granted through the selection of competitive applicants with energy-conservation plans. Another $8.8 million will be distributed through the third and fourth rounds. April 7 is the application deadline for the third round of funding.
    
East Meadow library will put its share, $47,244, toward an energy management system, said the library’s Assistant Director Rocco Cassano.
    
“We’re not doing it because we feel uncomfortable in the building, we’re doing it to have a more efficient way to run our units,” Cassano said.
    
A 2006 Long Island Power Authority audit determined the library would save $28,000 by upgrading lighting and lighting controls, modifying the domestic hot water system and installing an energy management system.
    
The current boiler is eight years old. Some of the ten rooftop air-conditioning units were around for the wind-down of the Clinton administration.
    
“When it’s borderline in-between seasons, that’s when things get inefficient,” Cassano said. “You have the boiler competing with the air conditioner.”
    
The planned energy management system would tie most of those things together to one computer. “You’re putting a brain where you didn’t have one before,” Cassano said.
    
The state estimates the library will save $13,000 a year.