Lewes’ net house goes green

Lewes’ net house will soon be more energy efficient. Construction has changed the appearance of the 1940s-era building and updated energy-related features. Lewes’ dock master and Friends of the Canalfront Park have offices in the building.

The City of Lewes received $43,200 from the Delaware Energy Office for the project, said Elaine Pease, Lewes projects officer.

She said an energy audit of city-owned buildings determined the net house needed upgrades, and qualified for a grant from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program.

Friends of the Canalfront Park have also provided $44,000 for net house improvements, Pease said.

Improvements include a new heating, ventilation, air-conditioning system, new, double-paned windows and doors and energy-efficient lighting fixtures.

Old asbestos siding has been removed, the building has been insulated and new cedar siding has been installed.

“It’s exciting to see the renovations going on,” Pease said. She said the project should be complete in a few weeks. Harkins Contracting Inc., a Salisbury-based general contractor, is doing the work.

Lewes Mayor Jim Ford said completion of net house renovations would cap the Lewes Canalfront Park project.