Case Study
Fitchburg Public Schools
Fitchburg Public Schools Brought to you by Unitil
Fitchburg Public Schools serves the community through seven schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels, as well as a dedicated early learning center. The district’s mission is to provide coordinated curricular and extracurricular experiences that inspire students to develop the academic, intellectual, creative, technological, and social skills necessary to work and participate fully in our democratic society.
In support of this mission, Fitchburg Public Schools continues to invest in modern, energy efficient facilities that enhance learning environments, reduce operational costs, and advance long-term sustainability goals.
In Fall 2025, the district celebrated the grand opening of the new 116,000-square-foot Crocker Elementary School, where energy efficiency was a central design priority. During this same period, the South Street Early Learning Center completed a comprehensive HVAC upgrade, replacing oil-fired heating systems with high-efficiency heat pumps integrated with the existing natural gas-fired boiler system.
Projected Annual Energy Savings
(Crocker Elementary School and South Street Early Learning Center)
Key Energy-Efficient Features
Fitchburg Public Schools continues to implement energy-saving improvements across the district. An 800-fixture LED lighting upgrade is underway at Longsjo Middle School, incorporating advanced lighting controls to optimize energy use. This project is expected to deliver 146,000 kWh in annual electricity savings and a 46.1 kW reduction in peak demand.
In addition, a proposal is currently in development to upgrade the HVAC system at Reingold Elementary School, using a similar approach to the South Street Early Learning Center project.
Through investments in high-performance buildings, lighting, and HVAC systems, Fitchburg Public Schools is making measurable progress toward reducing energy consumption, controlling operating costs, and providing healthier, more sustainable learning environments for students and staff. These efforts reflect the district’s continued commitment to fiscal responsibility, environmental sustainability, and educational excellence.
