Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — Operators of the Aroostook Centre Mall are doing their part to reduce its carbon footprint, with a recent upgrade to its heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
“A 190-ton truck and crane system from St. John, New Brunswick, was used to remove our old units and place the new ones atop the mall,” said Patti Crooks, general manager of the mall.
Crooks said the new machine — it reportedly only had 200 hours on it — and a three-member crew from the U.S. performed the task of exchanging the old units, which had been in place for over a dozen years, with brand new units that are far more energy-efficient.
“The crew was very qualified and included people on the ground and a pilot. They worked within a half inch accuracy. The (helicopter) pilot has 21 years’ of experience, and the crane operator has 40,” she said.
The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning units, or HVACs, are quite heavy, said Crooks, and required care in moving.
“They removed eight 20-ton units and replaced with newer technology. The old units were about 15 years old and had just about reached the end of their lifespan — 12 to 18 years,” said Crooks. “We were at the end of our life cycle. Efficiency Maine gives incentives for such, so now was a good time to do this.”
Crooks said the project was a joint effort of the mall, the Northern Maine Development Commission and Efficiency Maine.
“We did an (energy) audit about a year ago to determine where we could be more energy- and cost-efficient. Despite our HVAC system only being 15 years old, it was determined an upgrade would be beneficial,” said Crooks.
In addition to the replacement of air and heat units, Crooks said the existing electrical units were also removed and swapped out for high-efficiency state-of-the-art gas-fired units.
The cost of the project, according to Crooks, will be covered by mall ownership.
“Overall, the project cost about $300,000. The mall expects payback in abut two and a half years, through energy savings and efficiency. The good thing is the units are much ‘greener,’ with technology driving everything,” Crooks said.
Much of what’s been removed will be recycled.
“Of the eight units we took off (the roof), we’re able to recycle 90 percent — metal, such as copper. Bonville took the units for scrap. The only thing that can’t be recycled are the rubber belts,” she said.
Crooks said the energy audit was “quite revealing.”
“In the scope of things, auditors told me it was as difficult (to be more efficient) as it appeared. Once it was decided to do the upgrade, we went to bid, with Mechanical Services, a Maine-based company with a branch in Easton, winning. We had two local bids, one regional and one statewide,” she said.
The switch from electric to propane took a bit of planning, said Crooks.
“We had to enlarge the existing tank farm. Every tank is assigned to a tenant. We had to find a place to put eight more tanks. Then we had to get the permit, discuss guidelines with state agencies. Where to place them was a challenge,” said Crooks, adding that now the mall’s anchor businesses are considering updating their units as well.
The mall’s effort to ‘go green’ doesn’t end with the HVAC unit replacements. Crooks said lighting issues have also been addressed.
“Another element is we’re working on upgrading our lighting. We’re replacing 175-watt bulbs with 30-watt high-efficiency bulbs,” said Crooks. “The mall was state-of-the-art when it was built but technology has changed greatly in a short period of time. We continue to look for cost-effective methods to provide the optimal shopping experience.”
Advertising specials and events at the mall will now be done for efficiently, thanks to a recent sign purchase.
“It’s all about timing. We bought the LED sign from Slopes. We plan to install that on Route 1,” said Crooks, adding that the sign will not only eliminate the need for staff to go out in all kinds of weather to change messages, it will allow personnel inside the mall to update the sign in a moment’s notice, using a computer link. “Wireless technology is amazing. If we’d had to run cables, it would have cost a fortune, to tear up paving, disrupt parking.”
Crooks said other improvements in the works include replacing the doors by Ruby Tuesday’s.
“We’re installing handicap doors to make it a more comfortable for consumers. We’re also replacing doors at JC Penney’s. And we’re putting in glass doors at the back, formerly home to Porteous, to be able to get larger exhibits into the space,” said Crooks.
Safety upgrades are also being performed at the mall.
“We’ve got over 30 security cameras that will be strategically placed throughout the facility to enhance shopping at the mall,” said Crooks.
“We’re doing all this to make the mall a more comfortable, inviting place to shop. It’s also educational, teaching our children that businesses care about the environment and their future. We continue to look for ways to improve and welcome any comments and suggestions,” said Crooks.
For more information about the mall or to make a comment or suggestion, call 764-2616.
Photo courtesy of Patti Crooks
OUT WITH THE OLD — The Aroostook Centre Mall is upgrading its heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, replacing 15-year-old units atop the mall roof with new, energy-efficient models. Mechanical Services won the bid for the project. Here a crew works to lower an old unit onto a flatbed for removal from the property, with a new unit on the group waiting to be lifted into place.
Photo courtesy of Patti Crooks
ENERGY-SAVING UPGRADE — The Aroostook Centre Mall, at right, took part in an energy audit within the last year, looking for ways to improve energy usage at the facility. It was determined an upgrade to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning units was in order. Mechanical Services was the winning bidder on the project. Here, a crane is used to remove an old unit from the roof of the mall, near the main entrance.
