Nazareth uses clean air wood boiler system in new retirement village

A
new clean burning wood fuelled boiler will be installed at the Nazareth
Community of Care retirement village being built in Brougham St,
Christchurch.

The complex is being developed by Nazareth Care, a significant
aged care provider with operations in both Australia and New Zealand.
Construction is already under way, with the first stage of villas
scheduled for completion in November.

Its wood boiler system has been made possible with a grant from EECA,
the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority. EECA promotes energy
efficiency, energy conservation and the use of energy from renewable
sources. The project was funded under EECA’s technology demonstration
programme, which aims to promote under-utilised technology in key
sectors.

Sister Dominica Cooper, the Regional Superior for Nazareth Care
Australasia, said that the wood boiler would be highly efficient and
clean burning. 

“In addition to the obvious environmental benefits associated with
this wood boiler and use of wood fuel, there are significant cost
savings compared with other energy options available. Retirement
communities are big users of energy. We want to lead the way in
Christchurch among aged care facilities by showing the benefits of wood
fired heating technology. We’re delighted that EECA has been able to
help us.”

The ETA HACK 350kW wood chip boiler, supported by a large buffer tank
and peak load boiler, will be installed and fuelled by leading wood
energy contractor provider Spark Energy.

Principal Eduard Ebbinge said wood chip boilers such as this can save
between 50-70% on fuel costs per annum when compared with the likes of
the more traditional LPG or diesel.

“Nazareth Community of Care will be Spark Energy’s fourth aged care
customer, reflecting the significant cost saving benefits derived from
wood-fired central heating technology in this sector.”

“We are very excited with our involvement in this project and
congratulate the team at Nazareth Care for their vision and helping to
showcase this technology in the Christchurch market”.

Chris McArthur of EECA said the extremely efficient ETA Hack boiler
was fully automated, and the first of its type in Christchurch.

“We hope this project will show the benefits particularly for
facilities with 24/7 heating requirements such as health and aged care.
There are 63 aged care facilities in Christchurch. If more adopted this
technology it could significantly benefit the sector and the city – in
economic and environmental terms.”

He said the project would reduce CO2 emissions by 176 tonnes a year
compared to LPG. EECA supports wood energy because it is renewable,
carbon neutral, and often more economic than fossil fuels. When using
wood chips supplied from Canterbury forests, it also supports a local
fuel industry, McArthur said.

The new wood energy based centre was scheduled for installation later in 2015.

Situated on eight hectares of established grounds, the Nazareth
Community of Care is located on the site of the former Nazareth House
aged care facility in Sydenham. It will provide a continuum of care,
with independent living options, rest home, hospital and dementia care
facilities. A new convent and chapel will also be built.