Energy Efficiency Upgrades at Citywide Senior Center

The Department of Public Works provided project management of energy efficiency upgrades to the Citywide Senior Center located at 806 Massachusetts Ave.  This facility’s rooftop heating, cooling and ventilation equipment was a source of high energy use and numerous comfort complaints.  These efficiency upgrades are projected to save an estimated 59,149 kilowatt hours/year, resulting in avoided costs of approximately $10,000/year for the City.  These energy savings represent averting almost 90,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere annually, the equivalent of removing 9 cars from the road.

Utilizing Green Community grant funds and rebates from Eversource, improvements included the replacement of three rooftop air handler units with high-efficiency units and added controls to help moderate and manage the heating, cooling and ventilation of the building more effectively. 

“Temperatures are feeling pretty good, and we are grateful that the work was completed on time,” said Susan Pacheco, Executive Director of the Cambridge Council on Aging.  “All of the contractors were also very respectful of programming and keeping areas safe for our Senior Center participants!”

The energy use of this facility will continue to be monitored as part of the City’s commitment to become a Net-Zero community.