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Continuing the Prairie Crossing Commitment to Energy-Efficient Building:
The Condominiums at Station Square
"The energy-efficient condos at Prairie Crossing are part of the whole fabric of the community, which is designed for environmental protection and enhancement. They are built to the highest Energy Star rating in Illinois to save their owners heating and cooling costs. They are located near the Prairie Crossing/Libertyville rail stations so people can leave their cars at home and take a train to the Loop or O'Hare. They offer easy access by trail to all the amenities of the community: 350 acres of open land, native prairies, lakes, a beach, a working organic farm and events at the community center, which is a restored 1885 timber-frame dairy barn. Neighborhood-scale shops and restaurants in the Station Square, where the condos are located, are now under construction; these will allow residents to forgo car trips out of the neighborhood in favor of walks to the store and the chance of encountering friends and neighbors. At Prairie Crossing it's not just green building - you get to enjoy the pleasures of green living."
Victoria Post Ranney
Co-Founder & President
Prairie Crossing
The three condominium buildings uphold the standards for high-quality architecture for which Prairie Crossing has become known. The Burnham, the Bennett and the Wacker Buildings, named to commemorate three great urban planners in Chicago's history, were designed by Worn Jerabek Architects, a Chicago-based firm with a strong background in environmental design. Mr. Worn himself was named as one of the top one hundred architects in the world by Architectural Digest magazine. He is known for his attention to detail and ability to integrate attractive living spaces with energy efficiency and other 'green' features.
The three condominium buildings have already received a 5+++ Energy Star rating - the highest Energy Star rating possible - making them the highest ranked multi-unit building in a 3 state area. To earn the independently awarded Energy Star rating, a home must be verified to be at least 30% more energy-efficient in its heating, cooling and water heating than a comparable home built to the Model Energy Code. Energy Star qualified homes are independently verified to meet the EPA's strict guidelines for energy efficiency. The Energy Star label indicates that these "energy-efficient homes are more comfortable, more durable, cost less to own, and are better for the environment". At Prairie Crossing the developers have gotten independent verification that owners of the new condominiums may find that their homes are at least 40% more energy-efficient than comparable homes, earning the condominium buildings the highest Energy-Star rating possible.
The following energy efficient features are all standard in the new Condominiums at Prairie Crossing:
- All condominiums are Energy Star rated and meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
- The exterior walls are highly insulated and use a state-of-the-art vapor barrier to control water vapor movement in the walls.
- The windows are double glazed, Low-E, and argon-filled.
- All paints, sealants and adhesives are low VOC (volatile organic compounds), contributing to a healthy indoor air quality.
- The furnaces are 93% high efficiency with sealed combustion. These furnaces will reduce energy costs and will also contribute to a healthy indoor air quality.
- The hot water heaters are also high efficiency with sealed combustion. These hot water heaters will further reduce energy costs and will contribute to a healthy indoor air quality.
- All appliances are Energy Star rated
- To encourage recycling, the trash chutes are designed to switch between trash and recycling at the touch of a button.
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