Construction begins on new energy loop

The new sustainable energy system powered by natural gas will heat the Main Building, West Wing, and Gordon Wing.
By Juanita I.C. Traughber, Communications Director

Although University School of Nashville has moved to remote learning, the corner of 19th and Edgehill Avenues remains well-traveled, now with excavators and men wearing hard hats. Construction crews began work during Spring Break to replace the school’s steam line with a new energy loop.

The steam line, part of the original Peabody Demonstration School when doors opened in 1925, has been a crucial yet hidden proverbial link to Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College for decades even after its 1975 transition to become USN. In an effort that serves environmental, budgetary, and safety purposes, Vanderbilt decided to forego its dependence on coal-powered steam heat and switch to a hot water and chilled water loop.

The new sustainable energy system is more efficient and powered by natural gas. Improving and renewing USN’s energy supply in this way will modernize the original system to heat and cool the Main Building, West Wing, and Gordon Wing. It also will have future capacity for chilled water loop on the new Vanderbilt system.

Construction is permitted under the city's Safer at Home Order. To read more about the project, click here.

In 2003, USN added a geothermal heating and cooling system on the backfield to support the Tibbott Center and Hassenfeld Library.
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University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.