Idaho Central CU Earns Energy Bucks for new ‘Green’ Home

POCATELLO – Community leaders gathered for the grand opening of the new Idaho Central CU headquarters in Chubbuck on Tuesday. As part of the festivities, officials with Idaho Power presented credit union representatives with a check for $100,000 because the facility's energy-efficient design is expected to save about 700,000 kilowatts of electricity per year compared to most other office buildings its size. A computer sensor regulates lighting, so on cloudy days it intensifies the indoor lighting. The building's heating and air conditioning system also is computer controlled. The floor tiles are raised about a foot and a half above the concrete beneath them. The space between is filled with cool air that is distributed by vents scattered across the floor which open when sensors indicate an area is too warm. Heating works much the same way. Idaho Power officials said the features will save enough energy to power 50 average size homes. The $600 million institution is the largest credit union in Idaho and serves 62,000 members.