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September 28, 2009
ESG Installs Geothermal HVAC System at Champaign Unit 4 Schools
Garden Hills Elementary School Green Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Champaign, Ill. – Garden Hills Elementary School will celebrate its new energy efficient heating and cooling system with a Green Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on September 29 at 1:30 p.m. Students will be giving guided tours of the building, which include information on how the new geothermal heating and cooling system works for their building. Student posters about the geothermal system and energy efficiency will be displayed. Students are learning about the technology and the benefits of the system while it is being implemented.
Energy Systems Group (ESG) is the provider of an energy performance contract project for Champaign Unit 4 to upgrade Centennial High School and Garden Hills Elementary School. Upgrades include three new high efficiency boilers, lighting retrofit, and control upgrades at Centennial and a new geothermal HVAC system, electrical system upgrade, lighting retrofits, and control upgrades at Garden Hills.
These improvements are part of Unit 4's plan to improve facilities and reduce energy consumption in all buildings. Board of Education member Kristine Chalifoux has challenged staff and students to become the “Greenest Little Schools in the Midwest.” Chalifoux pointed out that annual gas and electric costs for the District were approximately $1.6 million dollars per year. A 10 percent savings would be $160,000, which is enough to fund three teachers, buy 300 computers or purchase 7,000 textbooks.
To assist with this goal, the District is now requiring energy management systems on all vending machines, and has received rebates of $100 per beverage machine and $30 per snack machine.
Each school, including Garden Hills will establish an energy target following a review of current costs, and the District will establish a recognition program for those who meet their targets for reducing energy usage. Initial training of principals has occurred, and the program will be refined through their participation.
“Saving money is important to us,” said Superintendent Arthur Culver, “but it is equally important that our students learn to be good stewards of our energy resources.“
Please join us as we celebrate with a Green Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Garden Hills on September 29 at 1:30 p.m.
About Energy Systems Group
Energy Systems Group (ESG) is an award-winning energy services company that specializes in delivering sustainable energy solutions that allow building owners to maximize their energy efficiency and operational performance, while reducing their carbon footprint. Through its core business of performance contracting, Energy Systems Group provides customers with innovative energy efficiency, technology, and long-term financing solutions for modernization of their facilities and energy infrastructure. Renewable energy solutions and assets are adding a whole new dimension to the company's growth. To learn more about Energy Systems Group, visit www.energysystemsgroup.com.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Meram El Ramahi, manager, marketing communications
Energy Systems Group
812-492-3734, melramahi@energysystemsgroup.com