Cedar Falls Public Library Receives 2026 CFU Energy Innovator Award

Cedar Falls Public Library is the recipient of the CFU Energy Innovator Award as part of the 2026 Cedar Falls Business and Community Awards.

Recently, the CFU Energy Services team worked with Cedar Falls’ Facility Supervisor Matt Buck to improve comfort and significantly reduce utility bills at the Cedar Falls Public Library. 

Innovative Solution Automatically Adjusts Ventilation

The project implemented a ventilation control algorithm that adjusts the amount of fresh air brought into the building based on real-time carbon dioxide levels. This technology is known as Demand-Controlled Ventilation (DCV). 

DCV helps optimize indoor air quality and avoid energy waste caused by over-ventilating unoccupied spaces. By bringing in the right amount of fresh air based on actual occupancy, DCV enhances comfort for visitors and staff, helps control humidity to protect library collections and reduces utility costs. 

The upgrade has reduced electricity use by 22%, resulting in an estimated annual savings of $12,000 on utility bills for the library.

CFU Partners with Customers to Save Energy

“Projects like this are one way CFU partners with customers to help reduce energy use across our community," says Katie LaBree, CFU Energy Services Manager. 

“We enjoy finding creative solutions that improve how spaces function while also increasing efficiency. It’s rewarding to see those improvements create benefits that extend throughout the community.”

Reduced energy consumption means CFU can buy or generate less energy to supply to customers, especially on high-demand days when energy is expensive, reducing costs for all customers.

Learn more about how CFU works with commercial and residential customers to save energy at cfu.net/energy-services.