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By WMBD-TV
NORMAL – Towanda Elementary and Prairieland Elementary will soon be receiving an updated “Campus Optimizer” to make the schools more green and energy efficient.
Approved as part of the Feb. 21 consent agenda, the two schools had previously been underperforming in regard to energy consumption.
In 2022, Prairieland had an Energy Star score of 43, ranking it in the bottom 50th percentile for energy efficiency. Towanda had an Energy Star score of 23, putting it in the bottom 25th percentile.
Energy Star scores measure building energy efficiency.
The Campus Optimizers were added to the schools in 2023 and immediate effects were felt.
Prairieland is now ranked at an Energy Star score of 53 and Towanda sits at 34.
The vote on Wednesday will continue this trend by upgrading the HVAC. Antiquities in the current temperature control were found to be over a decade past their 15-year life-expentancy.
The new upgrades will reduce maintenance costs while making the schools even more energy efficient.
The money comes from life safety funds from each school.