ENERGY STAR Labeled Building Profile

Fox Creek Elementary School
3910 Timberwolf Road
Bloomington, IL 61705
Map It!

Opened in 2001, Fox Creek Elementary School is a 56,500-square-foot building serving approximately 420 pre-K through fifth-grade students. The four-pipe HVAC system was originally designed for comfort rather than efficiency. However, work through recommendations made by consulting firm Energy Education and implementation by the district maintenance staff has led to the achievement of the ENERGY STAR for superior energy performance at this school. The staff and students played a critical role in embracing energy savings as a building goal.

 

To help address a dwindling Operations and Maintenance Fund budget the Board of Education signed a contract in late 2004 with Energy Education, Inc. to assist with utility management and cost containment. The formal application of the program began August 1, 2005.  Thus, August 1, 2004 through July 31, 2005 became the baseline year for building performance comparison.  Using the methods developed by Energy Education, Inc., which include having an Energy Educator Manager work in the district and expert consultants frequently visit to assist with both building and data analysis, the school district began realizing savings.  As a "people-based program," the major goal was to teach each employee and student to think about energy efficiency.

 

Employees at this site clearly embraced the energy savings concepts fostered by Energy Education, Inc. and ENERGY STAR.  Steps were taken to minimize energy needs at all times but in particular evenings, weekends, and holidays.  Accordingly, annual energy savings have risen to nearly $13,800.  The cooperation of custodial, teaching, cooking, and administrative staff has contributed greatly to the success of energy efficiency efforts at this school.

Communications:

Communication for this site involves:
-- Sending a monthly newsletter electronically to each employee.
-- Sharing monthly savings data with the superintendent.
-- Holding a meeting with the building administrator, head custodian, and energy manager twice per year.
-- Giving reports to the Board of Education twice per year.
-- Reporting information in local news media.

Testimonial:

"This school shows the impact of concerted energy management in a newer building (2001) with an inefficient four-pipe heating/cooling system. The staff works very hard to minimize energy need before, during, and after school. Thus, a reduction in energy consumption of 18 percent has occurred."

-- Bruce Boswell, Energy Manager, McLean County Unit District Five

---

Please note: Narrative information in this profile has been provided by McLean County Unit School District #5 or a representative of this facility. Other building information was verified and submitted to EPA at the time of application. Building energy performance, operating characteristics, and ownership/management may be subject to change over time.

Building Owner:*
McLean County Unit School District #5

Property Manager:*
McLean County Unit School District #5

Year(s) Labeled (Rating):
2012 (83)
2011 (87)
2010 (91)
2009 (88)
2007 (89)

Facility Type: K-12 School

Total Floorspace: 56500 sf

Year Constructed: 2001

Contract Type: None

Technologies Used:

Stage 1-Recommissioning

    + Employee/Tenant Energy Education Program
    + New or Revised EE Maintenance Practices

For More Info:
Bruce Boswell
Normal, IL 61761
309-888-6979
boswelbm@unit5.org