ENERGY STAR Labeled Building Profile

Glenn Elementary School
306 Glenn Avenue
Normal, IL 61761
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Opened in 1954 with one addition in 1968, Glenn Elementary School is a 24,000-square-foot building serving approximately 245 Kindergarten through fifth-grade students. Since August 2006, the building has utilized a ground source (geothermal) HVAC system. Its unique one-pipe design is much more energy efficient than the former four boiler system while also providing air conditioning. Performance has far exceeded expectations.

The Board of Education signed a contract in 2004 with Energy Education, Inc. to help address a dwindling Operations and Maintenance Fund budget by managing utilities and containing costs. The formal application of the program began August 1, 2005. Thus, August 1, 2004 through July 31, 2005 became the base 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 advocated 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 more than $25,000. 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 with the superintendent.
-- Holding a meeting twice a year with the building administrator, head custodian, and energy manager.
-- Giving reports to the board of Education twice per year.
-- Reporting information in local news media.

Testimonial:

The conversion from an aging hot water boiler heating without air conditioning to a geothermal unit in 2006, along with concerted staff efforts to reduce energy consumption have resulted in great savings for this building. Energy savings of over 50 percent coupled with improved student performance has made this a great investment.

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

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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 (98)
2011 (97)
2010 (99)
2009 (97)
2007 (92)

Facility Type: K-12 School

Total Floorspace: 23677 sf

Year Constructed: 1954

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