Fitchburg, Massachusetts (January 23, 2025) — The Fitchburg Art Museum (FAM) on January 21 announced it has been named a 2024 Mass Save^® Climate Leader, a distinguished recognition honoring 19 entities across Massachusetts for their ongoing efforts to curb energy use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and guide the Commonwealth to a net-zero future.

The 2024 cohort of Climate Leaders is helping Massachusetts lead the nation in energy efficiency and meet the Healey-Driscoll administration’s ambitious 2050 climate goals by reducing environmental impacts and lowering energy costs. Each honoree exemplifies how environmentally conscious actions drive economic success and a positive climate future for the Commonwealth.

According to FAM Director, Nick Capasso, “In 2023 and 2024, our Building and Grounds Committee, led by FAM Trustee Tom DiConza, worked with Tucker Mechanical and Unitil to design and implement a full $1M upgrade of HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and humidity control systems throughout our four-building, 40,000 square-foot physical plant, to provide comfort for our staff and visitors, and to protect the artworks in our permanent collection that we hold in trust for the people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We were careful to design a system that would significantly lower our overall energy use and costs, while also reducing our direct use of fossil fuels. This environmentally responsible system also qualified FAM for over $90,000 in MassSave rebates. We are proud to receive a 2024 Mass Save^® Climate Leader award for our work to improve our Museum and to serve our community.”

FAM leveraged the financial and technical support provided by the Sponsors of Mass Save to make meaningful investments in energy efficiency and curb greenhouse gas emissions. FAM’s Elm Street and Merriam Parkway Buildings received extensive upgrades that include the installation of a building management HVAC software system to optimize the new 14 high-efficiency heat pump installed. In addition, a heat pump water heater and two high efficiency natural gas boilers were added to complement the heat pumps. The new heating and cooling systems reduces natural gas usage by 288.6 MMBtu and oil by 97.87 MMBtu annually. The project received a $93,925 energy efficiency rebate from Unitil for achieving a carbon emissions reduction of approximately 20 metric tons, which over the lifetime of the equipment is equivalent to the emissions 43 homes produce annually.

“The Fitchburg Art Museum’s hybrid heat pump solution will not only significantly lower their emissions output, but will allow them to heat patrons efficiently at all temperatures,” Unitil External Affairs Director Alec O’Meara said. “Smartly designed systems like these provide long lasting comfort and energy savings for our customers, and we’re thrilled to have been able to support their initiative.”

For more information about Mass Save Climate Leaders, please visit https://www.masssave.com/en/community/mass-save-climate-leaders.