“If you’re considering this heat pump system, I would say absolutely yes. You have more light, it’s more efficient, and you have more control. I’m very happy with it.”
– Wenda Dottin, Resident, Hassan Apartments
Highlights
Background
Hassan Apartments is a 50-year-old public housing community for seniors and adults with disabilities in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. The building is owned and managed by the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), which partnered with Eversource, a Mass Save® Sponsor, to modernize the heating and cooling systems in all 100 units.
This project represents an important step forward in advancing the City of Boston’s climate goals, and in bringing practical, affordable energy solutions to more residents across Massachusetts.
Goal
BHA sought to upgrade the aging heating system in Hassan Apartments with modern, efficient heat pump technology that would improve year-round comfort for residents while reducing overall energy use and operating costs.
Challenge
Hassan Apartments previously relied on an electric resistance baseboard heating system in each unit, which was expensive to operate. BHA needed a solution that was more efficient, lower-cost, and would not require an extensive or disruptive retrofit for the aging multifamily building.
Solution
In partnership with Eversource and Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. (ABCD), BHA identified a novel alternative for Hassan Apartments that would help them to reduce their energy use and bills: in-window heat pumps.
In-window heat pump units are designed to fit in vertical sliding windows – similar to a window air conditioning unit – and plug into a standard wall outlet. No major electrical or structural upgrades are needed, which greatly reduces installation time and cost, and by taking up so little of the actual window, they preserve natural light for residents.
This solution offers:
- Expedient installation for an aging multifamily building
- Pathway towards electrification
- Minimal disruption to residents
- Year‑round heating and cooling from a single unit
- Lower long‑term energy use and operating costs
Results
In-window heat pumps were installed by RISE Engineering and New Ecology, Inc. in all of the 100 Hassan Apartment units. Through the Mass Save® Income Eligible Multi-Family Retrofit program, administered by Eversource, they were installed at no cost to the residents or BHA.
As residents enjoy greater indoor comfort year-round, the heat pumps will help to lower BHA’s annual energy bills and reduce electricity use by approximately 170,000 kWh per year – equal to avoiding the greenhouse gas emissions from driving over 290,000 miles in a gas-powered car.
Affordable, innovative solutions like this are helping Boston to advance its climate goals, all while delivering real benefits to residents and communities.
“Deploying window heat pumps and other emerging technologies is critical for scaling costeffective energy solutions. Our window heat pump partnership through Mass Save ensures public housing tenants are at the forefront of climate innovations in our state.”
– Joel Wool Deputy Administrator for Sustainability & Capital Transformation, BHA
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.