Mass Save(R) Helps Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Improve Energy Efficiency and Save Money Through Major System Upgrade

BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - Nov 16, 2011) - Mass Save^®, an initiative sponsored by Massachusetts' gas and electric utilities and energy efficiency service providers, was an instrumental strategic partner in a multi-faceted project to upgrade and improve the air handling systems in the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center's (BIDMC) laboratories.

The total project cost amounted to nearly $650,000 and Mass Save Sponsor incentives totaled nearly $322,500. The Medical Center will realize annual gas savings of approximately 160,000 Therms and electric savings of 1.8 million kWh. The system will pay for itself in just over one year's time.

Laboratories must be well ventilated to ensure the safety of researchers and workers, but changing over laboratory air can be costly as heated or cooled air from inside the building is exchanged with outdoor air. For BIDMC, Mass Save proposed a demand ventilation system which samples the air and allows for variable air change rates -- increasing air flow when the system senses contaminants and decreasing when the air is clear, such as when the space is unoccupied.

The multi-phase project was implemented in early 2011, and the laboratory air handling systems on five of the building's seven floors have now been renovated to include upgraded equipment and controls.

"Mass Save has been a fantastic partner throughout this project," said Mark Lukitsch, BIDMC energy and utilities manager. "Mass Save truly helped us get more than we anticipated -- they brought additional engineering and cost-savings incentives which allowed us to broaden the scope of the project to include additional ventilation and temperature set-backs in non-lab spaces, which has improved our efficiency enormously."

What's more, the Mass Save programs have helped the Medical Center integrate the laboratory systems to the main air handling systems in the building further improving efficiency. Prior to the upgrades, the system had difficulty keeping-up with air flow demands caused by inconsistent temperature settings in various parts of the building, but automatic setbacks helped reduce and level out the demand rater resulting in major energy and cost savings.

"One of the really great aspects of this project is that so many diverse teams have collaborated to make it successful," said Lukitsch. "National Grid and NSTAR [gas and electric utility providers respectively and Sponsors of Mass Save] and other partners have worked together day-in and day-out to reach a common goal. The project went smoothly and the Medical Center has achieved spectacular savings and a quick payback."

"The incentives were integral to the project and helped us do more," said Lukitsch. "With the project incentives and projected annual energy -- and cost -- savings, our financial department was easily convinced of the project's merits."

Mass Save can help commercial and industrial customers, such as BIDMC, identify cost-effective energy efficiency improvements, provide technical assistance and offer financial incentives as well as zero-interest loans to assist with new construction or improvements to existing systems. To learn more about these and other commercial and industrial energy efficiency programs from Mass Save, visit www.MassSave.com/business or join the Mass Save group on LinkedIn.

About Mass Save: Mass Save is an initiative sponsored by Massachusetts' gas and electric utilities and energy efficiency service provider, including Berkshire Gas, Cape Light Compact, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, National Grid, New England Gas Company, NSTAR, Unitil, and Western Massachusetts Electric Company. The Sponsors of Mass Save work closely with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources to provide a wide range of services, incentives, trainings, and information promoting energy efficiency that help residents and businesses manage energy use and related costs.

About Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School, located in Boston, MA with a history dating back to 1896. Today it is best known for its excellence in patient care, dedication to biomedical research and strong teaching and community service programs. As one of the leading facilities in a city with a rich history of medical and technological innovation, BIDMC had been looking for ways to lower its energy use, reduce its carbon footprint and become a more efficient, sustainable organization.