Mayor Walsh Celebrates $24.8 Million Energy Partnership; BHA reduces Green House Gases by 25%- 4 years ahead of Goal

BHA and ABCD collaborate to increase energy savings, save taxpayer dollars, and improve quality of life for public housing residents in Boston

Boston, November 4, 2016 – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Boston Housing Authority and Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) will celebrate the positive impact of a partnership that has seen some $24.8 million dollars in energy saving equipment and materials installed across the BHA’s housing developments over the last ten years. The project has also realized an estimated energy savings of some $24.0 million dollars over that time period.

“These kinds of projects are a win-win for everybody,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “They save taxpayer’s money, conserve energy, install needed infrastructure upgrades to our public housing, and pay for themselves through the energy savings they generate.”

This investment in BHA’s buildings was made possible through the efforts of ABCD and their ability to utilize the Low Income Multifamily Program (LIMF) in the public housing arena. The LIMF program has provided BHA with a capital funding vehicle to address some of its most critical needs in addition to associated energy savings while improving the comfort, health and safety for our residents.

Through the LIMF program, ABCD, partnering with National Grid, Eversource and ARRA federal funding, has provided full incentives to install new high efficiency boilers and furnaces, new state of the art Air Source Heat pumps, the installation of attic and sidewall insulation, new high efficiency fluorescent and LED lighting, Variable Frequency Drives, and a whole building Solar Thermal Domestic Hot Water System.

BHA’s partnership with ABCD, along with BHA’s other energy saving initiatives such as an Ameresco Energy Performance Contract, has resulted in BHA’s 25% reduction in Green House Gases Emissions four years ahead of its goal.

“This program has proven to be a great partnership” said BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle. “Not only do our residents gain by safer, healthier, and more comfortable housing with these investments but it conserves energy and reduces our carbon footprint.”

The upgrades include new lighting at all BHA’s developments; as a result BHA has realized approximately $60,000 dollars in annual savings associated with deferred maintenance as a direct result of fewer lighting related repair requests.

This project is the latest example of the level of support and potential savings, delivered throughout the BHA portfolio of developments, through the most current and cutting edge energy efficiency installations, including high efficiency boiler and domestic hot water systems, LED lighting upgrades, building weatherization (insulation and air sealing) and solar thermal projects.

“Over the last decade, the partnership between ABCD, the Boston Housing Authority and the City of Boston has shown how cutting edge energy efficiency technologies affect the BHA’s bottom line – which means more dollars for critically needed affordable housing. But they also have a powerful impact on Boston’s low income residents, who experience improved health and safety,” said ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew.

The partnership also funded the replacement of the heating and domestic hot water systems at the Mildred C. Hailey and Alice Taylor apartments, which directly offset some $1.7 million in budgeted Capital Construction Funds that could then be reallocated to other critical capital needs at BHA.

This past summer saw the installation of high efficiency Mini Split Air Source Heat (ASHP) Pumps at three of BHA’s Elderly Developments. The new equipment provides central air conditioning for our elderly residents who previously depended on inefficient window air conditioners or fans to meet their cooling needs. The ASHP will also supplant the electric baseboard space heating system, providing energy savings and a more comfortable and healthier environment for residents.

The LIMF program has provided BHA with a Capital funding vehicle to address some our most critical needs in addition to the associated energy savings while improving the comfort, health and safety for our residents.