Montclair Public Library has long been the heartbeat of Montclair township – a place where toddlers discover the joy of picture books, students find quiet nooks to study and neighbors of every age connect over lectures, art shows or friendly conversation. As one of the few public buildings in Montclair open seven days a week, the library remains a vital and dependable space serving the community every day.
But beneath its mid-century charm lay decades of deferred maintenance. The sprawling, three-story, 55,000 square foot main building, which opened in 1956, had seen its mechanical systems untouched since an expansion in the late ’90s.
HVAC problems rally community support
By the late 2010s, the Montclair Public Library’s aging HVAC systems could no longer keep up. Chiller leaks were routinely patched, and temporary boiler fixes were rigged just to keep the building open during the hottest months. Indoor temperatures regularly climbed into the high 80s, and during August 2024’s unprecedented heatwave, temperatures inside spiked into the 90s. To keep the community cool, the library moved the children’s story hours and pop-up computer labs outdoors under tents.
The building simply couldn’t keep cool, and we had to close the children’s room many times. But summer 2024 was the first time the entire building became unbearable.”
– Radwa Ali, Library Director
With over 185,000 annual visitors, additional closures would be unavoidable during the summer months unless urgent repairs could be made. This urgency accelerated efforts to identify long-term solutions for the library’s aging infrastructure. Earlier this year, the township council approved a separate bond ordinance to support broader infrastructure upgrades, including new windows, roof replacements and plumbing overhauls. In parallel, the library moved forward with energy efficiency improvements through our comprehensive suite of offerings.
A lifeline – and a launchpad: Montclair Public Library’s energy efficiency journey
Montclair Public Library enrolled in three energy efficiency programs under our business solutions portfolio – Direct Install, Advanced Custom and Energy Management. Working in partnership with the library, we developed a tailored package of solutions to help modernize outdated systems, improve building comfort and support the library’s sustainability goals.
An audit was conducted to evaluate longer-term energy efficiency upgrades throughout the building. The audit identified a range of planned improvements, including variable frequency drive pumps, modern air handling units, retrofitted VAV boxes for room-by-room airflow control, digital controls, smart thermostats, retrofit controls and smartphone-accessible remote monitoring systems. Tri-State Light & Energy, a PSE&G implementation partner, is managing the coordination of these measures, while their sub-contractor Sander Mechanical performed all mechanical installation using their in-house union employees, with 100% of the project labor provided by union workers.
In May 2025, the library was able to begin essential upgrades that address the building’s most pressing climate control challenges. Crews replaced the aging chiller and two antiquated boilers with whisper-quiet, high-efficiency units that now cool the library – ensuring a more comfortable environment during peak summer months and helping prevent any future shutdowns during extreme heat. Additional work identified through the Advanced Custom and Energy Management programs is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2025.
At PSE&G, we understand that every organization operates differently, and we’re proud to offer flexible energy efficiency solutions that help our customers improve building performance and reduce costs. For Montclair Public Library, we delivered a comprehensive package that supports their long-term energy goals while enhancing comfort for staff and visitors alike.”
– Rachael Fredericks, director of Energy Services at PSE&G.
Under these initiatives, roughly 40% of the combined $1.9 million project costs were covered through program incentives. The remaining balance is being repaid over five years, interest-free, through our on-bill-repayment option, making it easier for the library to invest in long-term energy savings without a large upfront expense.
Once fully implemented, the proposed upgrades are projected to save nearly 2.85 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 176,500 thermsi of natural gas over their lifetimes, with projected annual energy cost savings of more than $125,000.
For Director Ali and her team, the impact is clear. “It’s no longer a guessing game. We open every morning knowing our building will be comfortable and efficient.”
Today, the Montclair Public Library stands not just as a community hub for learning, gathering and connection – but as a model of thoughtful investment and smart partnerships. These upgrades have strengthened the library’s ability to serve the community with great reliability and confidence. It’s a testament to what collaboration, strategic investment and long-term planning can achieve for public institutions.
To learn more about how your organization can benefit from our suite of energy efficiency programs, visit www.bizenergy.pseg.com.
i One therm is equal to 100,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs), which is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
