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UMASS INTEGRATED SCIENCES BUILDING

AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS

CHALLENGE

This 157,000 square foot facility is divided into two wings: 85,000 square feet of chemistry and biochemistry classroom and research laboratories and 72,000 ft2 of classrooms, auditoriums and offices. Prior to B2Qs EBCx efforts the building was significantly negative, including a serious pressure imbalance between the lab and non-lab wings.

OPPORTUNITY

Before B2Q's involvement, ISB annually consumed approximately 3,700,000 kWh of electricity and 29,000 Mlb of steam and annual operating costs exceeding $1,000,000. UMass engaged B2Q to provide EBCx services, including scoping & investment-grade EBCx studies and turnkey implementation services including Engineering, OPM, CxA, M&V and utility incentives.

  • 1,900,00 kWh (38%) electric savings

  • 11,800 Mlb (41%) steam savings

  • $460,000 annual energy cost reductions

  • Obtained $260,000 utility incentive

  • Significantly improved occupant comfort

  • Greatly improved building pressurization

RESULTS

The EBCx study identified over 15 EBCx energy-savings and facility-improvement measures. These measures included conversion of 145 constant-volume fume hoods to variable-volume, reduction of lab ACH from 16.5 to 10.0, repair of over 100 VAV actuators and dampers, and re-engineering of lab pressurization cascades for improved building pressurization. The following savings were achieved during the implementation phase:

Market:

Colleges and Universities

Services:

Electrification

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The ETIC RCx project was an outstanding success, delivering verified energy savings and operational improvements that exceeded UMass Lowell’s expectations. The project achieved impressive annual cost savings—10% higher than initially projected—while reducing energy intensity by 14% for UMass Lowell’s third-largest utility account.

Beyond cost savings, the initiative delivered significant environmental benefits, cutting annual carbon emissions by 530,000 lbCO2e. Additionally, it enhanced lab safety through robust lab pressurization tracking and the recalibration of all terminal devices.

This success was made possible through the unwavering collaboration between UMass Lowell, B2Q, and NGRID, demonstrating the power of partnership and a shared commitment to cost efficiency, sustainability, and operational excellence.

Daniel Abrahamson 
University of Massachusetts Amherst

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