Bethel gym's heating oil projected at $348,000 a year; $2 in fixes could cut $50,000

Two changes to Bethel's YK Fitness Center that would cost the city almost nothing could cut about $49,944 a year off the building's energy bill, according to an energy audit going before the city's Community Parks and Recreation Committee at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, at 300 Chief Eddie Hoffman Highway, with Zoom access available.

The audit, released Sept. 9, 2025, puts the pool and fitness building's total predicted annual energy cost at $419,207, modeled from historical utility data and rates in effect at the time. Heating oil accounts for $348,023 of that total, or 83%, against $71,084 for electricity. Oil ran $5.77 a gallon when the audit was conducted.

The two low-cost measures would adjust the building automation system's occupied schedule to match actual open hours, raise the heat-recovery discharge-air setpoint to 70 or 75 degrees, and set back unoccupied heating temperatures in the lobby, locker rooms and exercise rooms. Together they carry an implementation cost of $2.

Other recommendations in the audit carry steeper costs and longer paybacks. Lighting retrofits would take roughly eight to 73 years to pay for themselves. A fan-room setback thermostat is projected to save nothing.

Written public comment on the audit is due to the city by 4 p.m. Monday.