Mater Dolorosa School converts to gas heat

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) - It's not just homeowners switching from oil to gas heat, several churches and schools in the area are also making the switch.

The Mater Dolorosa School in Holyoke underwent a $120,000 upgrade their system. The school was spending upwards of $40,000 a year on oil. With this new system they estimate costs of only $12,000 a year.

Father Alex from the Mater Dolorosa Church told 22News, "About 2 or 3 years ago we came to the conclusion that the repair of our older boiler system was going to cost more. We checked our options and found that switching from oil to gas would be a big, big change."

Edward Cote, President of Acres Company Inc., said of the older oil boilers, "They were very inefficient and unreliable; we had to cancel school two years ago for a couple of days because the boilers had leaks in them."

The school estimates they expect to make up the initial cost in less that four years.

They were also able to secure a no-interest loan from Holyoke Gas & Electric for part of the conversion costs.