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Qualicum Beach’s Eagle Park facility gets new boilers

FortisBC contributes $30,000 incentive to Island Health
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Three new boilers at Eagle Park Health Care Facility will save Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) approximately $17,000 annually in costs, and will reduce enough greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to be equivalent to taking nine vehicles off the road.

In recognition of these significant reductions, FortisBC has awarded VIHA with a $30,000 incentive for the boiler upgrade.

“The financial and environmental gains speak for themselves,” said Parksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell. “Any and all steps taken to reduce the toll on our environment are important and it’s great news to see FortisBC recognizing Island Health for being a leader in efficiency and doing their part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

The boilers require less natural gas to operate than the previous system, and can reach efficiencies of up to 96 per cent. The system will ensure that heating and domestic hot water will continue to flow should there be any equipment failures. The increase in efficiencies allows Island Health to reduce natural gas consumption, utility costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are grateful for FortisBC’s support for this project,” said Deanna Fourt, Island Health Director of Energy Efficiency and Conservation. “Two large boilers have provided heat and hot water since Eagle Park Lodge was built in 1994. When new, they reached efficiencies of up to 80 per cent, but were not as efficient as they reached the end of their service life. We replaced them with high-efficiency boilers to be in line with Island Health’s emissions reduction target and to help reduce operating costs.”

The project was funded by both the Province’s Carbon Neutral Capital Program, which helps fund public sector projects that will reduce GHG emissions, and the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District.

— Submitted by Island Health