EEI and Sunapee Middle High School Celebrate New Renewable Biomass Heating System
Sunapee Middle High School, in partnership with Energy Efficient Investments (EEI) and the State of New Hampshire, proudly celebrated the ribbon cutting of its new biomass wood-chip heating system on Friday — a major step toward cleaner energy, long-term cost savings, and local fuel independence.
Sunapee, NH —The ribbon cutting ceremony showcased how the new system replaces the school’s aging oil-fired boilers with a modern, renewable heating solution that will dramatically reduce fossil fuel use. Wood chips are delivered into an on-site metal silo and transported by conveyor into a high-efficiency biomass boiler, providing forced hot water to heat the entire facility.
One of the highlights of the new system is its commitment to local sourcing. All wood fuel will be processed, dried, and screened at a facility in Keene, ensuring 100% of the school’s heating supply comes from within the region — supporting New Hampshire forestry, logging, and clean-energy jobs.
“It’s a local, sustainable fuel. It funds local forestry and logging jobs, and it helps you save money,” said Sam Evans-Brown, Executive Director of NH Clean Energy.
“They’re going after these ancient oil fire boilers that were 50 years old when the town bought them and it’s going to a modern, more efficient heating set up.”
The State of New Hampshire invested $800,000 in grants to bring this long-awaited upgrade to life.
A Major Shift in Energy Use for Sunapee
Prior to the project, the district was consuming more than 70,000 gallons of heating oil per year — equivalent to filling two Olympic-sized swimming pools. With the new system, that demand is replaced by 350 tons of locally sourced wood chips per year, dramatically reducing carbon emissions and keeping energy dollars local.
“The district was using over 70,000 gallons of oil annually,” said Eric Lafayette of EEI. “Now, all of that is being replaced with locally produced wood chips. This is cleaner, more resilient, and more cost-effective for the community.”
The upgrade improves the school’s energy resilience, reduces long-term operating costs, and provides a more sustainable and stable heating source for years to come.