Chastain Conservancy Cuts Energy Use

Chastain Park's organizations are significantly cutting energy use, thanks to an extensive renovation program directed by the .

The program, completed with a $450,000 Kendeda Fund grant under its "grants to green" program is on target to do better than the projected 20 to 25 percent energy reduction, said conservancy Executive Director Gip Johnston. "We're easily going to do that," he said. The sustainability program is expected to save more than $40,000 annually in operating costs.

The park's different groups cooperated in the renovations to the Chastain Arts Center, North Fulton golf course clubhouse, Northside Youth Organization's Dowis Building, Chastain Park gym, conservancy headquarters and Chastain Horse Park, Johnston said.

For example, American Golf Corporation moved its operations downstairs at the clubhouse for two weeks while the top floor was renovated. The arts center closed while the work was performed.

"The neat thing about this is the synergy it's created," Johnston said, with the park groups looking to do more in the future.

The exrtensive work included new lighting, heating, air conditioning and ventilation system upgrades and insulation in ceilings, floors and walls. Another component was new recycling bins.

A lot of the work was "non-sexy stuff you can't see but bring huge energy savings," Johnston said.

Johnston said he expects more improvements. "We want to be a completely green park for the city of Atlanta," Johnston said. "There's still some things we can build on in the future. We now have a roadmap."

The most visible sign of the work are the exposed wooden beams at the American Golf Corp. clubhouse, where custom-made lighting was installed. Old tiles were removed from the ceiling, bringing an improvement aesthetically as well an energy savings.

"We exposed the beauty of these old beams," Johnston said, looking upward at the dark wooden rafters in the stone clubhouse, built in 1948.

Other facets of the work included a new HVAC system at the Arts Center and the Dowis Building, which now has a split system with thermostats in control the thermostats in different rooms.

At the horse born, the old T-12 lights, "energy hogs," Johnston said, were removed for new lights. Motion sensors were installed at the gym, so that only one strip of lights turns on at a time. A water cachement system captures rainwater for reycling.

Southface Energy Institute, a nonprofit organization, assessed the buildings and recommended improvements. Southern Home Performance carried out the HVAC and building improvements, and pledged $41,736 in services. The conservancy will also receive rebates from Ga. Power.