Sustainability Case Study: Net Zero Energy Usage at Prairie Trails Early Learning Center

According to the U.S. Energy Department, energy consumption represents the second highest operational expense to schools, second only to salaries. Each year, a significant portion of taxpayer dollars are spent on school utility expenses, thereby cutting into funding that could be allocated to resources for students. On average, zero energy schools can use between 65%-80% less energy than conventionally constructed schools, and the remaining energy required is supplied by renewable energy.President Biden issued an executive order on January 21 giving direction to the secretaries of education and health and human services to work together to develop guidance on returning the majority of students of all ages to schools as soon as possible. The success of reopening, however, is contingent on "safely conducting in-person learning, including by implementing mitigation measures such as cleaning, masking, proper ventilation, and testing."

Learn how FGM Architects helped River Trails School District 26 (Mount Prospect, IL) transform a 1966 school building into a high performing Net Zero Energy Usage facility. The school was designed to the 2018 PHIUS+ Source Zero project standard resulting in significant decrease in energy for space conditioning and better student health. Also, learn more about the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools award program which provides a framework for school districts to start a sustainability program.

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