Larry Goodfleish, 56, said he thinks it’s good his building will become energy efficient and cost effective.
“[It’s] absolutely good; and if it’s Earth friendly and Earth healthy, I’m all for it,” he said before going into his apartment at Windsor Park.
The Bayside co-op is converting from oil heat to natural gas, with completion of the project set for the end of the year. It will cost $4 million, but will save the co-op more money in the long run, officials announced May 17.
Updating the buildings will pay for itself after about three-and-a-half years, said Larry Kinitsky, Windsor Park president, and will save the co-op more than $800,000 each year after. The choice to switch to natural gas was more economical for Windsor Parks than Oil 2, Kinitsky said.
In addition to the updated heating system, the inside of the buildings’ chimneys will be re-coated to handle the exhaust fumes.
The project is in compliance with Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s new law to change all Oil 6 buildings to a more environmental fuel source by 2015.
The overhaul of the complex’s heating system is a coordination between National Mechanic Corp., Con Edison and City Councilmember Mark Weprin’s office.
Already three weeks into the program, National Mechanic Corp. is contracted to evaluate and change any equipment that needs updating. Con Edison is responsible for transporting the natural gas from the mainline under city streets into the buildings’ line.
Gary and Greg Mortman, vice presidents of National Mechanic, said they’re working on five buildings of the complex’s 20, which house 1,830 apartments. Greg said the impact to residents has been “very minute.”
Terri Bonavolonta, spokesperson for Con Edison, said the project is easier to coordinate in the summer, when resident’s won’t worry about heating, though temporary hot water suppliers have been installed.
Weprin, whose office is located in the complex – complimented Windsor Park for its initiative to make the conversion.
“I’m delighted that Windsor Park is doing this,” he said, before adding that he has been working with other co-ops to ensure they are updated by the 2015 deadline.
