Historic buildings and landmarks are good. Historic heating systems – not so much.

Historic Albany Foundation celebrates and preserves the historic resources in our community through advocacy, technical assistance, and events. Unfortunately, the nonprofit organization was paying staggering heating and cooling bills at their organization’s headquarters on Lexington Avenue, and that was taking a toll on their budget.

This winter, the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region was able to provide a term loan to substantially increase energy efficiency, resulting in significant savings for the organization. The loan is being used to replace two oil boilers with natural gas boilers, install a gas line to the property, and replace air conditioning units in the office with new units that can heat and cool the offices more effectively.

“Without a loan from the Community Loan Fund, Historic Albany Foundation would not have been able to take on this nearly $100,000 project,” said Executive Director Pam Howard. “A low interest loan made this project doable, and getting new energy efficient boilers and other HVAC items for the facility will then save us money to help pay the loan back.”

The project is underway now, and expected to be completed within three months.

Historic Albany Foundation fosters awareness of Albany’s rich architecture and archaeological remains. Albany is one of the oldest cities in the country, and Historic Albany Foundation has been integral in protecting many of the city’s oldest and most vulnerable buildings. The organization is currently serving as a steward for the oldest residence in Albany, the Van Ostrande-Radliff House (c. 1728) located on lower Hudson Avenue.