The city of Everett, north of Boston, recently finished an energy project at the Ferry Street Fire Station, replacing deteriorating heating equipment with a high-efficiency heat pump system that city officials say should improve indoor air quality for firefighters who spend full shifts in the building.
Officials said the work was completed at no added cost to local taxpayers, according to the Everett Independent.
Here's what to know
Installation of the new system at the Ferry Street Fire Station was completed after the station's steam boiler started failing in 2024.
Rather than install another fossil fuel-powered system, the city chose electric heat pumps and used a combination of grants, incentives, and financing to pay for the upgrade, according to the Everett Independent.
Mayor Robert J. Van Campen said, "This is a great example of how we can make smart investments in our City buildings that benefit both our employees and our residents. We replaced a failing system, created a healthier and more comfortable environment for our firefighters and reduced the City's long-term energy costs, all without placing the financial burden on our taxpayers. These are the kinds of practical improvements we want to continue making across Everett."
City estimates say the new equipment will reduce natural gas use by about 3,546 therms each year and lower annual greenhouse gas emissions by 12.21 tons of carbon dioxide. That reduction is roughly equal to the emissions from burning 1,374 gallons of gasoline.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
More background
Because fire stations operate continuously and also function as living quarters, temperature control, ventilation, and indoor air quality matter more than in many other municipal buildings.
To that end, Everett said the system is meant to do more than provide heating and cooling. It also brings fresh air into office and living spaces, while filtration is intended to reduce dust, mold spores, odors, smoke, and emissions that may enter from the attached apparatus bay.
Fire Chief Joe Hickey said, "Our firefighters spend long shifts at the station, so this building is more than just a place where they report for work. Having reliable heating and cooling and better air circulation makes a real difference in the environment our firefighters are working and living in every day," according to the Everett Independent.
The city said the upgrade should also reduce operating expenses. Everett expects annual utility bills to drop by about $1,500, and officials said the areas of the building that still use gas may run more efficiently now that most of the station has been electrified.
What's being done city-wide?
Everett said the fire station upgrades are one piece of a wider effort to cut energy use in municipal buildings.
Since receiving its Green Community designation, the city says it has obtained about $2.5 million through Green Communities programs and National Grid incentives.
The city has used that funding for projects including lighting improvements, solar installations, energy-management software, and heating and cooling work. Overall, Everett expects its energy-efficiency efforts to produce more than $500,000 in yearly savings while shrinking the city's municipal carbon footprint.
The City plans to apply for up to $500,000 through the Green Communities Fall Block Grant for additional energy-efficiency work at a municipal facility or school building.
Where can I learn more?
Everett's fire station project is part of a much wider shift toward heat pumps and other incentive-backed upgrades as older fossil-fuel systems wear out. Here are a few other examples of how people in Massachusetts and nationwide are weighing installation costs, rebates, and the long-term payoff.
• In Massachusetts, a $25,000 heat pump upgrade looked costly until homeowners compared aging oil systems.
• Across the US, homeowners can use up to $10,000 in government help for HVAC upgrades.
• Homeowners nationwide are using a 'magic' home-heating upgrade with major federal support.
Everett's financing approach could matter well beyond one fire station, as more building owners deal with aging heating equipment. Additionally, the same questions about upfront cost, available incentives, and long-term savings are coming up in homes and public buildings alike.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
