UPDATE February 1, 2024: We’ve completed this project! The solar array is making electricity, our heat pumps are heating the building, and we are starting to see our utility bills come way down. Thanks to all who made this possible.
MKIM has completed a big project to change how we use energy. This project had four stages: an energy audit, implementing energy efficiency measures recommended by the audit, adding a solar system on the roof, and replacing our oil furnaces with heat pumps.
The energy audit analyzed our building envelope to determine how we can save energy. The most important recommendations were specific actions to seal up air leaks and add some insulation, so that the building is as energy-efficient as possible. Shakes to Shingles carried out these recommendations over the summer.
Next, our roof faces south, and is big enough for us to install a solar installation that can produce all the electricity we used historically, as well as enough surplus to heat the building with electric heat pumps. We installed a 120-panel array on our roof, and got the approval (after overcoming a few hurdles) to start making electricity on November 27, 2023.
Being able to produce a lot of power allowed us to install 5 electric heat pumps that will be able to completely heat and cool the building, as required. This will allow us to stop using fossil fuels to heat the building, though for the moment we’ve kept the oil furnaces as backup equipment. The heat pumps were installed in December and early January, and are now providing clean heat.
Why did we do this project? Native Americans believe that we should “walk lightly upon the earth”, and this project is one of the most important things we can do to do our share to combat climate change. This project should enable us to become a “Net Zero” museum, eliminating 55,000 pounds of CO2 emissions per year. And it will save us A LOT of money - we spend more than $20,000 a year on electricity and oil. We’re looking forward to having that money for programs and events!
We are so grateful to the generous donors and foundations who made this project possible, and to all who helped make it happen.