Wallace Tower recently completed the first phase of a major upgrade that includes new heating and cooling systems along with a planned expansion of its community space.
Prior to the refit, the apartments on Wallace Avenue for 55+ residents utilized highly inefficient electric resistance heating systems installed when the building was first constructed in 1974. Today, each of the 130 units now has a mini-split heating and cooling unit permanently installed to improve energy efficiency and quality of life. The $1.5 million project will receive $750,000 in energy efficiency rebates through Unitil.
“This is an important project that will not only reduce our annual electric usage, but reduce our carbon footprint and make it much more comfortable for the residents,” Doug Bushman, executive director of Fitchburg Housing Authority, said.
Because the new mini-splits are capable of both heating and cooling, residents also will no longer need window air conditioning units as a result of the renovation.
“This is significant because we no longer have the challenges of removing and reinstalling 130 window units each year,” Bushman said.
It is estimated the new heat and cooling pumps will save 414,280 kWh of electricity annually over their 15-year lifetime, or the energy equivalent of the typical annual usage of approximately 57 residential homes. In addition to the energy improvements, the first floor will be expanded in 2024 to make more community space for the residents.
“It’s tremendous to see a project that is able to not only create such significant energy savings but will also immediately improve the quality of life for residents and simplify building maintenance in meaningful ways,” said Unitil External Affairs Director Alec O’Meara. “We’re thrilled to have been able to support the Fitchburg Housing Authority and help make the project a reality.”
Photos:
Top: Fitchburg Mayor Samantha Squailia addresses the audience at Wallace Tower, which received a $750,000 energy efficiency rebate check from Unitil for the installation of 130 mini-split heating and cooling units that will save the city over 414,000 kWh of electricity annually.
Teaser Image: Fitchburg Housing Authority’s Linda Byrne (left) and Douglas Bushman (2nd from left), Fitchburg Mayor Samantha Squailia, Unitil’s Alec O’Meara and Kevin Parse, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Ben Stone from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), at Wallace Tower in Fitchburg, Mass., which received a $750,000 energy efficiency rebate check from Unitil for the installation of 130 mini-split heating and cooling units that will save the city over 414,000 kWh of electricity annually.
