Hub June 2026 Newsletter

In this month's issue: 

• #ICYMI: Energy Efficiency Showcase
• New Resources: Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps & Mini-Split Systems
• New on the Podcast: Sachin Anand & Claudia Rodriguez
• ComEd Industrial Systems Incentive
• Partner Events: 2026 Midwest Cogeneration Conference & More!

This month we hosted the Illinois Energy Efficiency Showcase, a half-day conference that brought together building industry professionals from across Illinois to dig into real case studies of successful retrofit and decarbonization projects. Attendees heard directly from expert practitioners alongside the funding, financing, and technical resources that make this work possible. 

One of the projects we highlighted, Rush University Medical Center, 

used ComEd's Energy Efficiency Program to deploy long-term, monitoring-based commissioning (MBCx)—continuously tracking building automation system data to catch and correct operational inefficiencies as they emerge. By prioritizing the low-cost controls and scheduling fixes that monitoring surfaced, Rush is saving an estimated $2 million annually without major capital upgrades.

Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps: Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps (PTHPs) are a compact and efficient heating and cooling technology that saves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. PTHPs offer multifamily buildings a path to electrification. 

Mini-Split Systems: Mini-split systems are an air-source heat pump (ASHP) technology that can be used to heat and cool spaces. They are highly efficient heat pumps for decentralized electric heating and cooling in multifamily buildings. 

ComEd is offering no-cost leak assessments and repairs to improve the energy efficiency of your compressed air systems. Unchecked air leaks can account for up to 30% of systemwide energy use. ComEd can provide you with a qualified Energy Efficiency Service Provider that will visit your industrial facility to identify your leaks, and you can choose to have them fixed on the spot or make the repairs yourself. Either way, savings hit your bottom line fast with little to no interruption to your operations. 

There’s no catch. When systems run more efficiently, grid demand is reduced, and everyone wins! Fix leaks now for fast savings. Contact ComEd and mention, “No-cost leak assessments.” 



Sachin Anand, Principal at dbHMS, joined us to explore innovative approaches to green building design, code compliance, and energy efficiency. He recalled his experience working on the Academy for Global Citizenship (AGC)—Chicago’s first Living Building Challenge certified school—and used the project as a case study to highlight how a project team can integrate the building systems into the school's curriculum. 

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of sustainable affordable housing with Claudia Rodriguez, Vice President of Design and Construction at Preservation of Affordable Housing. She discusses the challenges and opportunities of implementing all-electric buildings in urban settings, highlighting strategies for energy and water efficiency, such as low-flow fixtures and envelope improvements.