HISTORIC INN REPLACES OLD OIL-BURNING SYSTEM

The innkeepers of The West Lane Inn, built in 1849 in Ridgefield and the Connecticut Green Bank recently completed a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE)-financed energy-efficiency project at the inn”™s 22 West Lane location. The project was to replace an old oil-burning heat system with a new heat-pump system designed to handle the heating and cooling needs of the 17-room historic property. 

The innkeepers, Christine Carnicelli and Danille Petrie, who purchased the inn in the fall of 2019, are working hard to balance the colonial charm of the 1840s building with the need for modern amenities.

“When guests come to stay at our inn, we want them to have the most relaxing, cozy experience possible. By adding a new heat-pump system, we are able to keep rooms comfortable all year long,” said Carnicelli. “The new system is also more energy efficient and better for the environment, which fits with Ridgefield”™s country surroundings.”

Eastern Mechanical Services Inc. of Danbury, an HVAC contractor serving Fairfield County since 1985, installed the new equipment. The balance of the project cost, after utility incentives and owner equity, will be paid off over 10 years through the C-PACE assessment. This allows the owners to reap the energy-saving benefits immediately while paying for the improvement over time.

“We are always excited when a new type of property, in this case a boutique inn, takes advantage of C-PACE to improve their energy efficiency. This is also a great example of progress toward the state”™s goal of electrifying buildings,” said Mackey Dykes, vice president of financing programs at the Connecticut Green Bank. “Commercial properties of all sizes should look at their HVAC systems for opportunities to unlock savings.”

The Connecticut Green Bank was established by the Connecticut General Assembly in 2011 as the nation”™s first green bank.