Elara Engineering

10/22/2026

In an Autumn 2026 article in Chicagoland Buildings & Environment, Elara Engineering co-authors Christopher Frauens, PE, CPD, and Adam Sanders help building owners navigate replacement options for existing gas-fired standard efficiency water heaters in repones to changes to the Department of Energy (DOE) commercial water heater standards.

Specifically in their article, Chris and Adam discuss multiple replacement options for existing gas-fired, standard efficiency water heaters along with considerations that should be addressed as building owners and facility managers move forward.

A reprint of the article can be found below:

In an Autumn 2026 article in Chicagoland Buildings & Environment, Elara Engineering co-authors Chris Frauens, PE, CPD, and Adam Sanders help building

10/20/2026

Another summer construction season for Elara’s K-12 Studio is in the books! Summer is always one of the busiest times of the year for our K-12 team as school districts across Chicagoland take advantage of a short construction window to make important improvements to their facilities.

Summer 2026 by the numbers:
- 23 Schools
- 2.4+ Million Square Feet of Educational and Support Facilities with improved HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection, Life Safety, & Technology Systems
- Over $350 Million in Total Construction Represented in These Projects

Another summer construction season for Elara's K-12 Studio is in the books! Summer is always one of the busiest times of the year for our K-12 team as school

10/16/2026

Make sure to register for the CooperatorEvents Chicagoland Expo on October 22.
Stop by booth 217 to see Adam Sanders and Quinn Enno from Elara!

10/08/2026

As the year goes on, so does the celebrating! To continue Elara's 25th anniversary celebrations, our team enjoyed a casino night at the Chicago Sports Museum, exploring sports memorabilia and interactive exhibits.

It was a fantastic opportunity to strengthen relationships, collaborate, and celebrate the culture and everything we love about Elara! 🎰🎲🌃👑🃏

09/29/2026

Today’s Project Highlight: 952 West Carmen Avenue

This new-construction apartment building is designed with sustainability and energy efficiency in mind. The project features geothermal heating and cooling, a Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) with energy recovery ventilation (ERV), geothermal preheat for domestic hot water heating, and ground-source vertical stack heat pumps in residential units. The building also includes EV charging parking, supporting more sustainable transportation options for residents.

A great example of how innovative solutions can create more efficient, comfortable, and forward-thinking spaces for the future!

09/18/2026

Prost 🍻 to an absolutely incredible employee-run focus group!

Yesterday was a fun day of learning and celebrating as our team dove into the history and traditions of Oktoberfest, followed by a very festive happy hour! We are so lucky to have a group like this!!

09/17/2026

This week Elara had the incredible opportunity to join the St. Laurence High School groundbreaking ceremony for the new fieldhouse.

We’re so proud to be part of this exciting milestone and to help create new athletic spaces and opportunities for students and staff now and for generations to come!

09/10/2026

Another successful trip to the Garfield Park Conservatory for Elara's Volunteer Program! 🌿

This year, our team helped transform the West Frame Yard and move nearly 100 plants from their summer vacation spots back to the production greenhouses in preparation for fall. We were happy to lend a hand by weeding, organizing, and preparing the Conservatory for the cooler weather ahead and the upcoming spring season.

Thank you to the Garfield Park Conservatory team for another great volunteer day! We’re always grateful for the opportunity to give back to such a beautiful Chicago landmark. 🌱

09/04/2026

As we wrap up the summer, we’re proud to continue the McLauchlan Scholarship for another year. Named after one of Elara's founding partners, Don McLauchlan, the scholarship supports an undergraduate student pursuing a degree through Loyola University Chicago’s School of Environmental Sustainability.
Supporting the next generation of environmental leaders is a meaningful reflection of our commitment to helping students pursue their passions and build a better, more sustainable future.
We’re honored to continue this legacy and invest in the students who will help shape the future.

As Don and his wife, Geri, remind us, “We are all part of one beautiful, connected world — people, animals, plants, the Earth, and the universe. Each of us has the power to make a difference. That is why we are proud to support young people and their unique gifts through this scholarship—to help build a brighter future for all.”

08/26/2026

Elara Engineering has successfully completed a comprehensive MEPFP infrastructure replacement project – spanning three phases over three consecutive summers – that addressed aged and inefficient equipment for the all-electric Dundee Middle School building. Prior to project completion, the building had been served by 50-year-old, direct expansion cooling and electric heating, variable air volume handlers, and package roof top units.

Specific building infrastructure upgrades include:
New geothermal heating and cooling system
Packaged DOAS equipment
New lighting
New fire alarm system
New emergency generator
New domestic water system

Elara Engineering has successfully completed a comprehensive MEPFP infrastructure replacement project – spanning three phases over three consecutive summers –