Action Item: Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofitting city facilities with energy efficient lighting, and urging employees to conserve energy and save money.

Action Item: Purchase only ENERGY STAR equipment and appliances for municipal use.

Goals

• Utilize energy efficient lighting in municipal facilities, streetlights, and traffic signals.
• Participate in energy efficiency audits of village facilities and operations.
• Encourage the community to engage in energy efficient practices and inform them of funding opportunities offered by outside agencies.
• Maintain an inventory of all village facilities in an energy portfolio tool to track energy use.
• Consider developing a village-wide standard policy to purchase ENERGY STAR equipment and appliances through a green procurement program.

Energy Efficiency in Municipal Facilities

Municipal Buildings

Schaumburg completed lighting retrofits in 9 facilities representing 378,073 square feet of conditioned space. The facilities that were retrofitted are: Public Safety Building, Atcher Municipal Center, Prairie Center for the Arts, Vehicle Maintenance Facility, Vehicle Storage Facility, Engineering and Public Works Building (older sections), Schaumburg Regional Airport terminal, FBO and hangars, and Fire Stations 52, 53, and 54. Funding was provided by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG); Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO); Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (ICECF), and Schaumburg.

The percentage of contribution toward the retrofits is: EECBG-58%; DCEO-25%; ICECF-13%; and Schaumburg-4%.

Additionally, Schaumburg retrofitted an aging, inefficient boiler at the Engineering and Public Works Facility, and 3 rooftop HVAC units at the Ballpark Facility with new energy efficient units. Funding was provided by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG).

Streetlights

The Engineering and Public Works Department has been testing LED and induction lighting as alternatives to the current high pressure sodium street lights. Planning is underway to create a phased retrofit project to enable the village to apply for grant funding.

Traffic Signals

Schaumburg completed retrofits of several traffic signals at the following intersections: Golf/Roselle, Golf/Meacham, Golf /West Frontage, and Higgins/Meacham. Schaumburg will continue to participate in efforts to retrofit traffic signals whenever feasible. Funding was provided by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG).

Energy Efficiency Audits

Schaumburg received free comprehensive energy audits from the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) at the University of Illinois for the Airport (2009), Public Safety Building (2010), Atcher Municipal Center (2011), and Ballpark Facility (2012). These audits are used to prioritize equipment replacements with more energy efficient alternatives.

Energy Efficiency in the Community

Residential Audit and Retrofit Program

In 2011, Schaumburg launched a Residential Audit and Retrofit Program that provided energy audits and rebates on permanent energy efficiency measures itemized in the audits – 185 residents participated by retrofitting 366,024 square feet of conditioned space. This program represented an investment of over $678,000 into the regional economy. Funding for this project was provided by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program (EECBG).

Commercial Energy Efficient Retrofit Program

In 2011, Schaumburg launched a Commercial Energy Efficiency Retrofit Program. Program participants also participated in ComEd’s Smart Ideas for Your Business Program to maximize their rebates. 22 locations participated by retrofitting 2,139,434 square feet of conditioned space. This program represented an investment of over $2,076,000 into the regional economy. Funding for this project was provided by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program (EECBG).

Home Energy Savings Webpage

Schaumburg created a webpage devoted to educating and engaging the public in utilizing programs offered through the federal government, local utility providers, and not-for-profit agencies to reduce energy use. The webpage focuses on programs offered by ComEd, Nicor, Energy Impact Illinois, and the Citizen’s Utility Board (CUB) Energy Savers Program. This information is also promoted by the Environmental Committee at Septemberfest and their annual environmental fair.

Track Energy Use

Energy use (electric and gas) in all village facilities is monitored through the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. Portfolio Manager is an interactive energy management tool that enables staff to monitor energy use across Schaumburg’s entire portfolio of buildings.

Purchase ENERGY STAR Equipment

The village has not adopted a standard policy to purchase ENERGY STAR equipment and appliances, however energy efficiency is always considered during the purchasing process.