Journal & Topics Media Group

Grant To Aid Dist. 26 In Energy-Efficient Building Project


An artist’s rendering of the new Dist. 26 kindergarten and preschool learning center.

The Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation approved a grant of up to $2 million to renovate the new River Trails Elementary School Dist. 26 kindergarten and preschool learning center in Mount Prospect.

The grant was awarded as part of the foundation’s Net Zero Energy Building program. Net zero energy consumption means the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is equal to or less than the amount of renewable energy created onsite.

“Empowering students to be stewards to their environment and community is one of our pathways to life-ready students, and what better way to demonstrate this than renovating a building to have net zero energy consumption,” Dist. 26 Board President Frank Fiarito said.

“The dream of a school that is an educational example and resource of sustainability was born from Assistant Supt. of Business Services Lyndl Schuster, whose leadership was essential to our receipt of this grant,” Dist. 26 Supt. Nancy Wagner said.

The design team was led by FGM Architects from Oak Brook. IMEG provided mechanical system design and Trane/Ingersoll Rand designed the photovoltaic system. 

All kindergarten and preschool students, as well as district administrators, will use the new facility once it opens.

The building was built in 1965 and has had little renovation done since that time. Most of the infrastructure is original including the heating system, windows and insulation. It is expected the net zero energy building will significantly reduce energy consumption.

The facility’s design, in addition to providing net zero energy, has been pre-certified by Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) as a PHUIS+ and PHIUS+ Source Zero project. PHIUS+ is a “high-performance building standard” that challenges the building industry to construct buildings that can maintain a comfortable indoor environment with very low operating energy. Buildings that meet the PHIUS+ standard use 40-60% less energy for space conditioning than conventional buildings.

The energy-efficient building will feature components and building materials chosen to meet net zero energy building requirements and PHIUS+ standards, including:

  • photovoltaic (solar panels) on the roof;
  • new highly efficient electric variable refrigerant flow (VRF) heating and cooling system with heat recovery;
  • building automation system to monitor temperature and electrical loads;
  • increased insulation values in the walls and roof;
  • high performing windows;
  • energy-efficient LED lighting with daylight harvesting; and
  • educational displays including interactive video learning displays and energy usage.

The renovated kindergarten and preschool building will be the first net zero energy building in Mount Prospect.

“Mount Prospect, through its Strategic Plan, is committed to sustainability and the use of renewable resources,” Mayor Arlene Juracek said. “We are proud of Dist. 26 and congratulate them for being awarded a Net Zero Energy Grant. This new net zero energy building will serve as an important example and learning tool for the entire village.”

Construction services will be managed by Nicholas & Associates, Inc.

“As the construction industry continues to shift towards sustainability, we look forward to being on the front lines and are proud to partner with Dist. 26, FGM Architects and the village of Mount Prospect on this net zero energy building project,” Nicholas & Associates President Nick Papanicholas, Jr. said. “Mount Prospect has been our home for over 40 years, and we count it as a privilege to manage this unique local project that promotes excellence in resource stewardship.”

Construction will begin in July and should be completed in early 2021.

 

Support local news by subscribing to the Journal & Topics in print or online.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.