HVAC Installation - Reinberg Elementary Pre-K Annex

EOS Mechanical provided comprehensive HVAC systems for the Peter A. Reinberg Elementary School’s new Pre-K annex—delivering energy-efficient climate control supporting LEED certification while respecting the environmental character of the surrounding residential neighborhood.

About the Facility

Peter A. Reinberg Elementary School serves Chicago’s Northwest Side community, providing early childhood through elementary education. The new Pre-K annex expands the school’s capacity to serve younger students, offering dedicated learning spaces designed specifically for early childhood development.

Chicago Public Schools prioritized LEED certification for this project, demonstrating commitment to environmental stewardship and energy efficiency while creating healthy learning environments for the community’s youngest students. The annex design emphasizes natural lighting, high indoor air quality, and sustainable building systems.

Located in an established residential neighborhood, the project required sensitivity to community character, including preservation of mature landscaping and trees that define the neighborhood’s identity.

EOS Mechanical Scope

EOS Mechanical provided complete HVAC system design, installation, commissioning, and LEED documentation support throughout the project.

Air Handling & Climate Control

• Rooftop units - High-efficiency equipment sized for Pre-K loads
  • Capacity matched to building envelope and occupancy
  • Energy recovery ventilation for LEED compliance
  • Return air economizers enabling free cooling
  • Sound attenuators reducing noise in learning environments
• Variable air volume boxes - Zone-by-zone temperature control
  • Individual classroom comfort management
  • Optimized airflow for occupancy patterns
  • Integration with building automation
• Split systems - Supplemental cooling for specific zones

Ventilation & Indoor Air Quality

• Exhaust fans - Managing indoor air quality and building pressurization
  • Continuous ventilation meeting ASHRAE educational standards
  • Coordinated with supply air for optimal air balance
  • Quiet operation suitable for young learners
• Return air economizers - Free cooling when outdoor conditions permit
  • Significant energy savings through natural cooling
  • Automated changeover based on outdoor temperature
  • LEED energy optimization credit contribution
• Airflow measuring stations - Performance verification and monitoring
  • Real-time airflow monitoring for commissioning
  • Ongoing verification of ventilation rates
  • Documentation for LEED certification

Building Automation & Controls

• Integrated controls system - Managing all HVAC equipment
  • Programmable schedules aligned with school operations
  • Energy management features for LEED compliance
  • User-friendly interface for facilities staff
  • Economizer coordination and optimization
• LEED-specific control sequences - Supporting certification requirements

LEED Certification & Commissioning

The project targeted LEED certification, requiring enhanced coordination and documentation throughout mechanical system installation.

Commissioning Agent Coordination

EOS Mechanical worked directly with Chicago Public Schools’ commissioning agent from project start through final acceptance:

1. Installation Phase Coordination

   • Scheduled equipment installation around commissioning milestones
   • Coordinated startup and testing with CA review
   • Documented installation per LEED requirements
   • Provided submittals and O&M documentation

2. Control Sequence Verification

   • Implemented control sequences meeting LEED energy requirements
   • Tested economizer operation and changeover logic
   • Verified airflow monitoring and reporting
   • Demonstrated energy management capabilities

3. Performance Verification

   • Conducted comprehensive functional testing
   • Verified all systems met design intent
   • Documented performance for LEED submittal
   • Trained school staff on efficient system operation

The LEED-focused controls incorporated energy-saving features including economizer operation, optimized scheduling, and continuous airflow monitoring—all contributing to the project’s sustainability goals.

Construction Challenges & Solutions

Challenge: Equipment Installation with Environmental Stewardship

Peter A. Reinberg Elementary sits in an established residential neighborhood with mature landscaping. Installing rooftop units conventionally would have required removing a mature tree blocking crane access—directly conflicting with the project’s LEED certification and environmental goals.

The school community valued the existing trees as defining neighborhood character. Removing mature landscaping for construction convenience would have undermined the project’s sustainability mission and damaged community relationships.

Our Solution: Collaborative Alternative Approach

EOS Mechanical partnered with K.R. Miller Contractors (general contractor) and La Grange Crane Service to develop an environmentally responsible solution:

1. Alternative Rigging Strategy

   • Utilized smaller crane equipment requiring multiple setups
   • Developed detailed lift sequences respecting site constraints
   • Planned rigging approaches avoiding tree removal
   • Coordinated temporary access through neighborhood

2. Enhanced Coordination

   • Engaged all stakeholders in solution development
   • Coordinated with adjacent property owners for temporary access
   • Protected existing landscaping throughout installation
   • Planned equipment staging to minimize site impacts

3. Alignment with Project Goals

   • Preserved mature trees consistent with LEED intent
   • Demonstrated environmental stewardship to school community
   • Respected neighborhood character and community values
   • Completed installation successfully without tree removal

This collaborative approach required extensive planning and coordination between all parties, but it perfectly aligned with the project’s sustainability goals. The solution demonstrated that construction excellence and environmental responsibility can coexist when teams commit to creative problem-solving.

Sustainability Features

The mechanical systems directly contributed to the project’s LEED certification through multiple strategies:

Energy Efficiency Measures

• High-efficiency HVAC equipment exceeding code minimums
• Return air economizers providing substantial free cooling
• Optimized control sequences minimizing energy waste
• Efficient airflow distribution reducing fan energy

Indoor Environmental Quality

• Enhanced ventilation rates supporting healthy learning
• Low-noise equipment protecting educational environments
• Zone control enabling comfort customization
• Continuous air quality monitoring

Documentation & Verification

• Comprehensive commissioning verifying all systems
• Airflow monitoring documenting ventilation performance
• Energy management capabilities for ongoing optimization
• Training for facilities staff on efficient operation

Results

The completed HVAC installation provides:

• Healthy, comfortable learning environments for Pre-K students
• Quiet operation supporting early childhood education
• Energy-efficient systems contributing to LEED certification
• Commissioning verification of all performance requirements
• Environmental stewardship through tree preservation and sustainability focus
• Successful community engagement respecting neighborhood character
• Systems supporting Chicago Public Schools’ sustainability goals

This project exemplifies EOS Mechanical’s commitment to sustainable construction and creative problem-solving. By partnering with the general contractor and crane service to preserve existing trees, we delivered technical excellence while honoring environmental values and community character—proving that the best solutions serve both project requirements and broader community interests.