It’s been over 3 weeks since our last boiler update, and it’s time for celebration. The heat is finally on, let us give thanks.
As you may recall, the old boiler was shut off on Oct. 9, in anticipation of getting the new boiler installed. Instead we had to have asbestos in the old boiler safely removed, which took nearly 2 weeks, and the entire system had to be retrofitted to accommodate the new boiler. The new boiler was installed the week of Oct. 29, and we hoped we would have heat the next week.
That week stretched to three as the re-engineering process unfolded. Piping was added, a pvc vent was created and passed through the building to get outside air into the boiler room and new wiring was done. We had several teams of installation men here working on our system, overseen by Bradley-Sciocchetti, the company that gave us the best proposal for replacing the old boiler. They even climbed up on the roof of the church at one point, investigating the best way to vent the system.
In the meantime, the average daily temperatures were unusually warm (you can check the accu-weather website) and Bethesda Project, who partners with us for the men’s shelter, agreed that a building without heat was better than no building, so we were able to host the men’s shelter starting Nov. 1, and there was no snow, like we had last November when there were 3 days of snow. The lack of heat has not been too much of an inconvenience.
During this season of giving thanks, we have much to be grateful for, including heat in our sanctuary. May this month without it stir our compassion and move us to action for those people who live without heat every day. Let us allow this month to bring out the best in us and lead us to serve those most in need in our community.
