YMCA of Greater Boston – Aayushi Patel – 2014

Goals

Aayushi Patel was enlisted by The YMCA of Greater Boston to help improve building efficiency for its facilities in Boston.

Solutions

By negotiating with the local utility providers, Patel managed to secure high efficiency showerheads and faucet aerators for 12 of its facilities completely free of cost. Upgrading to these efficient devices could save the Y over $125,000 annually in water, sewage and heating costs.

Patel also identified and recommended other projects including high efficiency boilers, LED exit signs, demand circulator pumps, weather proofing doors, variable frequency drive pumps and high efficiency LED lights in the pool area, gym and hallways.

Potential Impact

All of these projects together could save the Y a total of over $258,000 annually in operating costs along with over 83,000 kilowatt hours of electricity and over 56,000 therms of gas. Overall, the YMCA of greater Boston could reduce its carbon footprint by over 350 metric tons annually, which is equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of 32 average-sized U.S. homes.