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Argonne and Oak Park staff outline retrofit options for small multifamily buildings; mini‑split heat pumps show strong EUI reductions
Summary
An Argonne‑led analysis of 95 multifamily buildings in Oak Park found many small buildings have above‑median energy use intensity (EUI). Modeling of a representative 38‑unit 1927 building showed mini‑split heat pumps could cut EUI ~55% at ~$380k, while exterior wall insulation and deep retrofits are costlier but yield larger EUI drops.
Argonne National Laboratory, working with Oak Park staff through the Department of Energy’s Energy to Communities Expert Match program, presented findings Jan. 27 on energy use in the village’s multifamily housing stock and modeled retrofit scenarios for a representative building.
Chief Sustainability Officer Lindsay Naraca introduced Dr. Ralph (Argonne) and summarized the village’s benchmarking data, which covered 95 multifamily buildings. "We looked at energy use intensity by building age and size and identified small, medium and large building clusters," Argonne’s presentation said. The analysis found only 24 of 95 buildings had a site EUI below the national median but 61 had a source EUI below the median — reflecting relatively clean regional electricity generation.
Argonne modeled five retrofit scenarios on a three‑story, 38‑unit walk‑up (built 1927) owned by Oak Park Residence Corporation. Individually, modeled measures produced the following approximate EUI reductions and cost estimates: window replacement (36% reduction for parts of the profile but modest annual fuel‑bill savings), exterior wall insulation (36% site EUI reduction, estimated cost ~$700,000), boiler replacement (14% reduction at an estimated $80,000), and mini‑split heat pumps (55% reduction at ~$380,000). A combined deep retrofit (insulation + windows + heat pumps) could reduce EUI as much as 68% but with modeled costs in the $1.1M–$1.5M range.
Argonne emphasized that fuel‑bill impacts depend on electricity pricing and customer eligibility for discounted heating rates from the local utility; under standard rates some electrification scenarios raised annual bills, but under a discounted heating‑only rate the modeled building could see net annual cost savings.
Trustees and staff discussed implementation barriers including aesthetics on historic façades, payback periods, and who bears costs or benefits in tenanted properties. Lindsay said staff is using benchmarking and the study to inform an incentive program that would prioritize small multifamily buildings with high gas EUI for targeted incentives, technical assistance and outreach to landlords.
The report’s data, staff said, are available in the village’s benchmarking portal and the sustainability team is working to improve compliance rates (current compliance reported at about 28% for the 2024 cycle) through training and one‑on‑one assistance.
