Temple Sinai of Sharon has been serving the Jewish community of Sharon, Massachusetts and surrounding towns for over 25 years in its current location. In addition to its regular religious services, the temple is also available for gatherings, special events and celebrations every week. As a center of community activity, it was of the utmost importance to Temple Sinai's leadership to update their building systems so they could continue to celebrate Jewish lives together – today and for many years to come.
Outdated HVAC equipment and inadequate controls were contributing to rising annual electrical expenses in the 27,000+ square-foot building, as well as poor indoor air circulation and quality. The system was prone to frequent breakdowns and inefficiencies making it costly to maintain and operate. Barry Fritz and David Shore, Co-Chairs of the Housing Committee for Temple Sinai, sought a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution to reduce the temple's high energy costs and create a comfortable, well-ventilated environment for community members. Barry and David faced further complications due to the building's design – a large, three-story-high space with nearly 500 windows – which posed unique challenges for maintaining consistent indoor temperatures. Switching to an all-electric system was not feasible due to the building's design and cost implications. Through a Decarbonization Consultation with Eversource, however, Barry and David discovered an alternative path forward: hybrid heat pumps.
Eversource and the other Mass Save® Sponsors offer these no-cost Decarbonization Consultations for businesses, as well as residents, to guide customers through sustainable heating and cooling options.
Following their consultation, Temple Sinai partnered with Eversource and approved contractor EMCOR Group to install five hybrid heat pump units and a new control system to optimize air circulation and temperature throughout the building. The hybrid solution decreased the demand on the existing heating system, providing energy efficiency, reduced carbon emissions and enhanced comfort without requiring a full electric upgrade.
The temple received an incentive of over $190,000 for the heat pump and controls installation, which helped to make installing these measures possible.
Temple Sinai is projected to reduce net GHG emissions by an estimated 191 tons annually, significantly reducing their carbon footprint while maintaining a welcoming and sustainable gathering space for the community. Improved control over fresh air intake and temperature has enhanced the comfort and functionality of spaces like the sanctuary and social hall. Looking ahead, Temple Sinai plans to further invest in energy efficiency with additional weatherization measures.
Temple Sinai';s hybrid heat pump project demonstrates the transformative impact that energy efficient solutions can have on building performance, community spaces and sustainability goals. By collaborating with Eversource and leveraging available incentives, Temple Sinai has improved its energy efficiency while supporting a comfortable, vibrant space for generations to come.
The information in this case study is an accurate representation of this customer's experience at the time of publication. Results, including cost savings, from heat pump installation and/or other energy efficiency measures can vary based on each individual customer's situation.
