Consortium for Energy Efficiency showcases proprietary technology at North End apartment community

Braintree and Boston, MA (August 12, 2025) – Peabody Properties, an affiliate of The Peabody Companies, a group of award-winning property management and real estate firms, proudly announces that its Christopher Columbus Plaza community was selected by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) to review recently implemented innovative energy-saving solutions and high-performance equipment upgrades, including the installation of an Air-to-Water Heat Pump Chiller (A2WHP) to replace central boilers.  The demonstration took place on June 10.

Christopher Columbus Plaza, a mixed-income apartment community located in Boston’s North End, was selected as the model site for the demonstration by regional utility companies, including Eversource Energy and National Grid. 

The Consortium for Energy Efficiency – a nonprofit organization that brings together energy efficiency program administrators from across the United States and Canada – at their 2025 CEE Summer Program Meeting in Boston requested this demonstration for review by their members during the event.  The RISE Group, Inc., a lead vendor for the utilities, completed the A2WHP system design and installation and led the review along with Peabody Properties’ facilities leadership.  The review included new equipment performance and expected savings and greenhouse gas reduction, as well as a tour of the new rooftop A2WHP chillers and the mechanical room housing the heat transfer equipment to the existing hydronic loop.    

While A2WHP systems, which extract heat from outside air and transfer it for space heating, cooling, or domestic hot water, have been used in Europe for some time, they are only now gaining traction in North America. These highly efficient HVAC systems are proving especially well-suited for multi-residential buildings in the Northeast.

Building on this momentum, CEE’s latest initiative updates performance specifications for residential HVAC systems, including A2WHPs.  The upgrades establish distinct pathways tailored to heating-dominated climates and introduce an advanced tier for split-system heat pumps optimized for cold weather. These advanced specifications are designed to accelerate adoption of high-efficiency, cold-climate-capable A2WHPs in multi-residence dwellings by reducing greenhouse gas emissions while supporting decarbonization and electrification goals.

“RISE was excited to support the utilities, Eversource and National Grid, with one of Boston’s first multifamily air-to-water heat pump chiller installations,” said Chris Simpson, principal project developer, multifamily service for The RISE Group, Inc.   “The property was extremely supportive throughout the entire process and immediately observed the greenhouse gas emissions reduction.  This project will go a long way toward meeting the property’s decarbonization goals.

“We were excited and proud to host a demonstration that places cutting-edge sustainability front and center,” said Mark Dubos, Peabody’s director of facilities – energy management and sustainability. “There is real satisfaction in supporting a project that blends innovation with environmental responsibility.”

The rooftop of Christopher Columbus Plaza.

Mark Dubos, Peabody’s director of facilities – energy management and sustainability, highlighting some of the energy efficiency tracking equipment.

Attendees tour the Christopher Columbus Plaza mechanical room.