The Phil in Naples utilizes grant to go green

When new Philharmonic Center for the Arts CEO Kathleen van Bergen toured the buildings during her job interview, the A/C system was so loud she had to wear ear protection, she said.

But now, thanks to a green initiative and a $500,000 Florida Clean Energy Grant — a total matched by several anonymous donors — the mechanics of keeping the three-building, 150,000-square-foot complex cool are now easy on the ears.

“The original chillers were from 1988,” said building superintendent Alex Pena, who has led the effort, including replacement of the chillers. The green program is expected to save $85,000 a year in energy costs.

The Phil’s electric bill has run as high as $42,000 in season, but likely will be cut to “the high 20s,” Pena said.

Van Bergen said that maintaining proper humidity, temperature and lighting are particularly important for a museum with an art collection, and the improvements will allow for more consistent and more area-specific climate control.

Adjustments can be made remotely, Pena said. The new system is all electronic, and he can operate it remotely on a laptop.

A smart phone feature will help on the next phase of the project, which is to install solar panels on the roof that will heat water in the performance hall. If the temperature is too high or low, he will be alerted by phone that adjustments need to be made.

The panels, which van Bergen said will not be visible from the outside, should be in place yet this fall.

Other green steps include replacing regular light bulbs with LED versions, a significant savings in wattage.

All 846 bulbs in the entry to the performance hall were once 90 watts each. They’re now 2.5 watts each. In the museum, 75-watt bulbs were replaced with 5 watt.

Not only are the LED bulbs more efficient, van Bergen said, they’re better for interior color. They also do not present the recycling and disposal problems associated with the new mercury bulbs.

Van Bergen said the energy savings is significant in that “the more we can put into our art, performances and mission here, the better.”

This week, NCH Healthcare System began a green effort focusing on recycling. According to CEO Allen Weiss, between 6 and 15 percent of hospital waste is designated “regulated medical waste,” which means as much as 94 percent is completely recyclable.