Elgin library board goes with geothermal

Gail Borden Public Library officials have warmed yet again to the idea of installing a geothermal energy system at their new branch library.

The library board voted 6-0 on Tuesday to purchase the energy-efficient system, after learning the costs weren't as high as they had feared.

"It was a big night," library spokeswoman Denise Raleigh said. "The sentiment expressed by a number of members on our board is they really wanted to build a green building, and geothermal should be part of that."

The 10,000-square-foot facility is expected to open next year.

The building will go up on about four acres along Bowes Road west of Randall Road.

The project is funded in large part by $4 million in bonds voters approved in 2000.

Library officials began discussing the use of geothermal energy because they want to earn the U.S. Green Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design designation.

The certification process recognizes energy-efficient and environmentally friendly construction -- with a focus on everything from energy use and building materials to landscaping.

But the library board's interest in geothermal energy cooled in August after officials received initial cost estimates.

At the time, they estimated the geothermal system would cost around $500,000, compared with $300,000 for a more conventional system.

The system they approved this week actually costs a little more: $523,000 compared to $311,000 for the conventional energy system.

But the difference is offset somewhat by a $70,000 Illinois clean energy grant.

If the library district saves $8,000 a year in energy costs -- which is what the vendor estimates -- the system will pay for itself in 18 years.

If energy costs continue to rise, the timeline gets shorter.

"The certainty is we'll be saving," Raleigh said.