Accelerating Sustainability Goals Through Efficiency
Challenge
As a leading biotechnology company in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this organization views sustainability as an extension of its commitment to patients, innovation, and corporate responsibility. As energy demands grew across its campus, facility leaders sought ways to improve facility performance, reduce environmental impact, and support long-term operational efficiency without disrupting sensitive research environments.
The stakes were significant. Aging infrastructure and inefficient systems can increase energy costs, elevate carbon emissions, and limit progress toward sustainability objectives. At the same time, any improvement strategy needed to accommodate active laboratories and specialized equipment, where downtime and disruption were not an option.
Drawing on years of experience supporting complex facilities, Mantis partnered with the organization to identify practical opportunities for measurable energy efficiency improvements.
Solution
Over more than five years, the team implemented a phased efficiency strategy focused on three key steps to address those needs:
- Modernize critical HVAC infrastructure to improve reliability and performance.
- Upgrade campus-wide lighting with more than 6,000 LED fixtures.
- Add intelligent lighting controls to maximize energy savings.
To help the client achieve these goals, work was carefully coordinated around laboratory schedules, with additional precautions taken to protect sensitive equipment and maintain ongoing operations throughout implementation.
Results
The improvements reduced the ongoing costs and environmental impacts associated with inefficient building systems, thereby strengthening long-term sustainability performance.
By combining HVAC upgrades, LED lighting modernization, and advanced controls, the biotech company reduced energy consumption, lowered its carbon footprint, captured utility incentives, and achieved a rapid return on investment.
Performance Outcomes:
- $497,876 in total annual savings
- 3,111,727 kWh reduced annually
- $664,178 in utility incentives captured
- 2,205 MT CO₂e reduced annually
- 2.3-year average project payback achieved