Unitil partners with local developer in a unique and one-of-a-kind energy efficiency project that will blend the renovation of not one, but two historic structures, and then connect the two buildings with new construction that meets the Mass Save Passive House certification path for energy efficiency incentive requirements.
A historic firehouse and former furniture store aim to revitalize the gateway to downtown with 44 energy efficient mixed-income residential apartments with 50 percent dedicated to affordable housing along with 8,400 sq. feet of commercial retail space.
The residential units, now available, are highly efficient and are expected to use approximately 50 percent less heating energy versus a building that only meets the minimum building code. Unitil provided incentives of $141,350 in energy efficiency rebates as well as technical assistance for the project that ultimately cost about $16 million overall to complete. The improvements are expected to save over 172,000 kWh per year of electricity and more than 1,650 therms of natural gas per year. The savings in electricity alone represent what 23 homes typically use annually.
