(Newswire.net — January 26, 2014) Plainfield, IL — In 1962, Chatham Park Village Cooperative (CPVC) made strides towards energy efficiency by converting the steam heating system created in the 1930’s, to natural gas boilers and commercial water heaters. The original steam house disbursed steam through underground tunnels to heat the buildings. Converting to individual boilers in 1962 was a big upgrade and measurable improvement for the time. Today, CPVC is benefitting from another energy efficiency improvement.
DRF Trusted Property Solutions of Plainfield, Ill., and Metropolitan Industries of Romeoville, Ill., have designed the most energy efficient solution available to upgrade the space heating system and water heating system. The original 1962 boilers were operating at about 70% efficiency. Even new boilers replaced in the past few years could only maintain 82% efficiency. In addition to the energy waste, the energy costs were very high. New boilers and indirect water heaters will maximize efficiency while saving money. The project is the largest gas savings measure of its kind in Peoples Gas territory.
DRF is installing Laars NeoTherm modulating condensing boilers and indirect water heaters in each CPVC property. This new technology only uses the energy required to produce the exact amount of heating needed, with no waste, allowing the heating system to operate at 95% thermal efficiency. In addition, the indirect water heaters will use the new boilers as a heat source, eliminating standby loss, and operating as high as 99% energy efficiency. The upgraded system aligns well with Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Sustainable Chicago 2015 Energy Efficiency goals.
To assist with the cost of the project, DRF was able to help CPVC secure a utility rebate of more than $500,000 from Peoples Gas. The new heating system is projected to save 262,000 therms per year. The environmental impact is equal to saving annual greenhouse gas emissions from 290 passenger vehicles or 522 tons of waste sent to the landfill. In terms of financial benefits, savings of $4 million in energy costs is estimated over the next 20 years. The new system will improve overall building comfort, increase energy efficiency, and reduce boiler maintenance.
You can follow the progress of the new heating system installation at CPVC on the DRF Trusted Property Solutions blog.
