Massachusetts is a national leader in many categories from sports to industry to historical events. Now, thanks to the dedication of those who are responsible for the first net-zero emission school in Massachusetts, —as well as the largest net-zero emission building in the state—the students, teachers, and community of Cambridge can learn and grow in a healthier environment. Eemax, one of America’s top manufacturers of tankless electric water heaters, was a proud sponsor of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) 2019 BuildingEnergy Pro Tour Series event on Aug. 23, with 150 LavAdvantage tankless electric water heaters, 10 Three Phase units and three SafeAdvantage units installed throughout the campus.

More than 200 years ago, literary geniuses Ralph Waldo Emerson and his friend, Henry David Thoreau, founding members of the Transcendentalists, said, “The secret to education lies in respecting the pupil. It’s not for you to choose what he shall know, what he shall do.” This respect for the pupils and community has continued through to today as evidenced by the new Net-Zero King Open & CSUS Campus. The project consists of a middle school and elementary school, administration offices for the school district, a public library, a public pool and other public functions. The building is the first project under the Net Zero Cambridge Plan, which outlines a framework to be an emission neutral city by 2050. This event was hosted by Arrowstreet Architecture and Design in association with William Rawn Associates.

Project Details

• Units: This campus includes a middle school, an elementary school, a public library, and the administration offices for the school district
• Square Footage:  273,000 square feet
• Type of Construction: New 
• Built for LEED v4 Schools Gold certifications
• Eemax tankless electric water heaters throughout the school and complex
• Roof-mounted PV array will generate an estimated 60 percent of energy on site
• Geothermal heat pump system provides radiant heating and cooling
• Rainwater reclamation system on site

“This new LEED Platinum facility and complex proves Massachusetts’ unwavering commitment to ensuring the Cambridge community will have a clean and green facility for their students as well as the neighboring families,” said Jens Bolleyer, VP and GM. “We are proud to be a sponsor, as well as a solution, supporting zero emission goals and providing safe and consistent hot water with our LavAdvantage and SafeAdvantage products.”

LavAdvantage is a perfect product for this net-zero emission school and campus. With active energy management, power modulating controls, and a small, compact design that can be mounted in any orientation, LavAdvantage is suitable for ADA compliant facilities. LavAdvantage is installed in the lavatories, changing rooms, and kitchens to provide safe and consistent, hot water on demand; at the same time, reducing energy and water waste, making it the ideal solution for this school or any similar facility.

Massachusetts is evolving education and its facilities. Eemax is evolving hot water.

SafeAdvantage is often specified by the plumbing engineer to meet Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for safety equipment. In schools this tankless electric water heater can be found in chemistry and biology labs where an eyewash, facewash, and/or a drench shower is required. SafeAdvantage features Eemax proprietary Parabolic Heat Design (PHD) technology and is designed for low duty cycle applications where precise temperature control and low pressure drop are required.