This past fall MidAmerican Energy awarded Lowell Elementary one of two 2022 Excellence in Energy Efficient Design awards for exceptional energy savings. According to MidAmerican, the school achieved 49 percent annual energy savings with the help of ISG and Modus.
Jake Connor, director at Modus, says this is an award worth celebrating.
“This project exemplifies our company mission,” said Connor. “Modus is very excited to have been a part of the team that provided the community with an energy-efficient new elementary school filled with innovative new technology.”
The students at Lowell seem to agree as they thrive in their new space. Principal Carrie Heinzerling says the new design encourages more collaboration outside the classroom with students finding more room to explore in both the library and gym.
“They love the new building,” said Heinzerling. “The new technology is pretty great too!”
While the school now boasts a motion-activated light system, touch-activated Promethean Boards, and a much-appreciated intercom system, Connor says one of the more energy-efficient components of the building is its HVAC system.
“The mechanical system for the building utilizes the existing geothermal supply well from the original school where it uses a heat recovery chiller to supply simultaneous heating and cooling to the building with a natural gas condensing boiler for backup purposes,” said Connor.
Kids can expect to stay nice and warm this winter, as Lowell uses only half the energy it once did while encouraging learning, collaboration, and celebration along the way.
