Background
Courtyard Apartments is a 24-unit multifamily apartment complex located in Manchester, New Hampshire, offering affordable housing for residents with disabilities and who are on a fixed income.
Seeking ways to reduce their operating costs while improving comfort and affordability for tenants, the Courtyard Apartments team reached out to Eversource to schedule an energy audit and explore available energysaving solutions.
Challenge
Built in the 1980s, the multifamily property had an inefficient electric radiant heating system, insufficient attic insulation, and each tenant had to use a window air conditioner to cool their apartment, contributing to high energy usage and bills.
Property Manager Joe Tamposi hoped to find a partner who could deliver cost-effective energy efficiency upgrades, minimize disruptions for tenants and help educate residents about the long-term benefits of energy efficiency.
Approximate Energy Savings:
- Annual Electric Savings: 133,800 kWh
- Incentive Received: $208,000
Outcome
After completing the audit, Joyce Heating and Cooling, Inc., an Eversource-approved contractor, recommended installing 25 ductless air source heat pumps: one in each unit and one in the common area. These systems provide efficient heating, cooling and dehumidification.
Additional improvements included adding insulation in the attic and in the walls of each unit to reduce heat loss and further improve overall efficiency.
As a result of these upgrades, Courtyard Apartments tenants now benefit from consistent indoor temperatures, without the need for window air conditioners. For the property management team, these upgrades have also improved long-term property value, all while reducing energy bills and maintaining a strong commitment to affordability.
“When we purchased the property and made the commitment to keeping it affordable for households with disabilities, we knew we had to improve our energy efficiency and lower our electric bills. Thanks to Eversource and Joyce Heating and Cooling, Inc., we can uphold this commitment, and we now have happy tenants who we expect to retain for a longer period of time.”
—Joe Tamposi
Property Manager