Green Features at Habitat

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Habitat Education Center & Wildlife Sanctuary is doing its part to leave a lighter footprint on the environment by utilizing green technology.

Conserving Energy

  • Energy and lighting audits completed and many recommendations implemented
  • Additional insulation has been installed and the buildings have been air sealed
  • All fluorescent tube lighting has been replaced with LED tubes
  • All incandescent light bulbs have been replaced with LED bulbs
  • High-efficiency furnace installed
  • Refrigerators have been replaced with EnergyStar models
  • Replaced computer monitors with energy efficient monitors
  • Whole house and ceiling fans
  • Replaced leaky exterior doors with tightly sealed insulated doors
  • Programmable thermostats installed
  • EnergyStar dehumidifier
  • EnergyStar air conditioners
  • EnergyStar heat pump installed for heating and cooling parts of the Visitor Center
  • Electric-powered property management equipment purchased and in use

Buying Electricity Generated from Renewable Sources

  • 100% green electricity purchased from Green Energy Consumers Alliance (New England Wind product) for all electricity not produced on site

Generating Renewable Energy

  • Photovoltaic arrays installed – 9.2 kW ground mount (2010), 2.8 kW roof mount (2010), and 9.7kW roof mount (2018) 

Electric Vehicle Charging

  • Two Level 2 J1772 connector plugs that are compatible with all makes and models of EV (Tesla owners may need to use an adapter to connect their vehicle).
  • Each plug provides about 25 miles for every hour of charging time
  • Free while visiting the sanctuary trails or attending programs (donation requested)

Building Green Buildings ("Link Building")

  • High-efficiency lighting  
  • High-performance building envelope   
  • High-performance, argon gas windows  
  • Plant-based linoleum flooring  
  • Recycled and recyclable construction materials  
  • Recycling of dismantled building materials
  • Programmable lavatory exhaust fans  
  • Cement clapboard siding  
  • Occupancy sensors controls
  • Day-lighting

Learn more about our green building >

Conserving Water

  • 1 waterless urinal
  • 3 dual-flush toilets installed
  • 3 low-flow toilets installed
  • Water bottle filling station
  • Rainwater collection system  
  • EnergyStar/WaterSense dishwashers

Enhancing Energy Education

  • Interpretation of energy and water conservation features and photovoltaic array
  • Photovoltaic array electricity production on internet in real time