BETTER BUILDINGS PARTNERSHIP

Broadway

Project Address

Broadway Condominiums
153 and 155 Beecroft Ave.,
Toronto

Key Contact

David Blois,
Senior Property Manager

Project Background

Constructed in 2004, Broadway Condominiums is a 750,000 square foot high rise residential condo complex that consists of two buildings: Broadway One and Broadway Two.

Following energy audits conducted in January 2008, Broadway Condominiums observed several opportunities for energy efficient improvements to its buildings that would result in substantial cost savings and, ultimately enhance the homes of the hundreds of residents they serve. Broadway Condominiums acted on the opportunity to make energy efficiency improvements to its ventilation system.

Challenges

Several complaints from residents about too much airflow from fresh air vents in common hallways and very high gas and electrical bills prompted questions about the operational efficiency of the complex. Operational costs, the buildings’ efficiency, maintenance costs, and environmental sensitivities motivated the condo corporation to undergo energy efficiency improvements.

Based on the number of residents (nearly 2,000) and number of suites in the complex (656), the existing ventilation system was oversized and using more energy than necessary. By considering the three make-up air (MUA) units in the complex – the upper units on the rooftops of each building and the lower unit in the shared parking garage – the amount of delivered air could be reduced, ultimately reducing operational costs. Also, the expected costs to maintain the ventilation system in the shared underground garage were looming.

Solution and Results

Broadway Condominiums teamed up with the City of Toronto’s Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) to evaluate the incentives available to offset the costs for their energy conservation efforts for the complex. The MUA unit in the shared underground parking garage and both buildings’ rooftop MUA units have been modified by installing Variable Frequency Drives which reduce the amount of total delivered air, and therefore reducing the amount of energy used to ventilate the buildings. The energy efficiency ventilation retrofits produced a savings of 304,307 kWh in electricity annually. As a result, Broadway Condominiums was awarded over $21,000 in BBP incentives for the successful ompletion of these three energy efficiency ventilation retrofits.

“The approximate two year projected payback period for lighting retrofits and variable frequency drive installations at this large residential condominium site should have resulted in early approvals, but the very substantial incentives available through the Better Building Partnership solidified the Board’s environmental and fiscal resolve to move forward. The contractors for the projects assisted greatly with the preparation and ubmission of the incentive documentation and I was extremely impressed with how efficiently and quickly the applications were then looked after by the Better Building Partnership staff.”
David Blois, Sr. Property Manager, Wilson Blanchard Management Inc.

Project Snapshot

Broadway One
(153 Beecroft Ave.)

Project cost:$39,700.51
Annual electricity savings:150,195 kWh
Annual cost savings:$15,019.50
Annual CO2 savings:144.49 tonnes CO2
BBP Incentives received:$ 10,513.66

Broadway Two
(155 Beecroft Ave.)

Project cost: $35,730.46
Annual electricity savings:154,112 kWh
Annual cost savings:$15,411.20
Annual CO2 savings:148.26 tonnes CO2
BBP Incentives received:$ 10,787.85

About the City of Toronto

Toronto is Canada’s largest city and sixth largest government, and home to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America. Toronto has won numerous awards for quality, innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto’s government is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and livability for all its residents.

For more information please contact:

Better Buildings Partnership
Tel: 416-392-1500
bbp@toronto.ca

Click here to download this case study in a PDF format

550 Front St

Project Address

550 Front Street West, Toronto, ON

Key Contacts

Dean Brigham, Terra Energy Management Services Inc.

Project Background

550 Front Street West is a residential complex in downtown Toronto that comprises 196 suites on eight floors. The facility contains a gymnasium, a roof top patio and a private courtyard behind the main tower.

Challenge

The Board of Directors at 550 Front Street sought to enhance resident comfort in the facility, while substantially reducing operating costs. With the goal of maintaining current light levels, increasing resident safety and a long term reduction in operating costs and energy consumption, 550 Front Street, their property manager, and Brookfield Residential Services Ltd. collaborated with Terra Energy Management Services Inc., Enbridge and the City of Toronto’s Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) to achieve this goal.

Solution and Results

After conducting a pre-project study into the garage, stairwells, and common area lighting and ventilation systems, the corporation and Terra Energy Management Services developed a program that would upgrade the existing hallway ventilation system with a variable speed drive technology designed to provide for reduced air flow in “off” peak periods of time to substantially reduce the gas consumption in the building.

Corridor and stairwell lights were de-lamped based upon foot candle lighting measures taken and garage lighting was retrofitted with new, energy efficient T8 lamps and ballasts for maximized savings. The existing garage exhaust system was operating 24/7 and the installation of a carbon monoxide sensor system now allows the fans to run much less frequently, based upon data logged information. Both the BBP and Enbridge were consulted to access the energy savings incentives that their programs offer, enabling the Condominium to do more with its budget.

The retrofit of the garage lighting and the de-lamping of the corridors and stairwells resulted in a 59.7% reduction in electricity consumption, or 166,114kWh per year. The installation of the variable speed drive on the make-up air unit resulted in a reduction in annual gas consumption for the building by 29.6%, or 20,936 M³ per year.

“Overall, the residents will realize a substantial reduction in common element costs through annual utility consumption reductions, along with reduced operational costs on the operating equipment,” added Dean Brigham, Terra Energy Management Services Inc. “With new lamps and ballasts in the garage and removal of excessive lamps in corridors and stairwells, the property management company will realize substantial reduction in operating costs, allowing the savings to be passed along to the residents.”

Through joint efforts with Terra Energy Management services, Brookfield has facilitated the identification of over $1.16 million worth of first year savings for their clients. In total, these projects have accessed over $332,000 in incentive payments and have achieved CO₂ reductions of 204 tonnes.

Project Snapshot

Project Cost: $37,163.50
Annual electricity savings: 166,114 kWh
Annual natural gas savings: 20,936 M³
Annual cost savings: $29,152
Annual CO₂ savings: 204 tonnes
Incentive received: BBP $13,493.93
Payback period: less than 1 year

About the City of Toronto

For more information please contact:

Better Buildings Partnership
Tel: 416-392-1500
bbp@toronto.ca

Click here to download this case study in a PDF format

The Masters Condominium

Project Address

284, 288, 296 and 300 Mill Road. Etobicoke, ON

Key Contacts

Nena Gajic, R.C.M., Property Manager, Brookfield Residential Services Ltd.

Project Background

Built in 1972, The Masters comprises two buildings with four municipal addresses. The buildings are honeycomb-shaped complexes of two-storey, split level and single level suites, housing approximately 1100 residents.

In 2009, The Master was recognized by the Canadian Condominium Institute (CCI) as a finalist in Condo of the Year award.

Challenges

With 35% of the operating budget devoted to electricity costs, it was clear that the metal halide and T12 lighting systems in the common area of the two buildings needed updating. Metal halide bulbs are also an environmental concern, containing 10 times more mercury than fluorescent bulbs.

With the goal of maintaining current light levels, increased security, safety and a long term reduction in operating costs and energy consumption, The Masters collaborated with supplier and contractor Lighting Solutions and the City of Toronto’s Better Buildings Partnership (BBP) to achieve this goal.

Solution and Results

A major pre-project study including the garage, stairwells, and all common area lighting systems was conducted in order to determine if large reductions could be achieved in both kilowatt load and kilowatt-hours without compromising perceived light levels, safety and security. As a result of this study, a decision was made to undertake a full retrofit of the lighting system with the assistance of BBP incentives which significantly improved the rate of return on investment.

The existing HID 50.6 total kW load lighting system from the garage was removed and replaced with a High Efficiency T8 lighting system. This retrofit resulted in a 74% reduction in kilowatt load and a yearly reduction of 291,139 kilowatt-hours.

The retrofit also included an update of lighting system in the stairwells, fitness area, meeting rooms and clubhouse, resulting in a yearly reduction of 126,723 kWh. The total electricity savings for the whole project represents taking 80 cars off the road.

The goal of this project was savings $40,000 per year, which was surpassed. Completion of this project also resulted in cash savings and a benefit to the environment.

“As managers of condominiums, we are working within a non-profit environment. The owners’ maintenance fees are the only source of budget income. Our ongoing mandate is to find ways to reduce operating costs,” said Nena Gajic, property manager. “We knew a lighting retrofit proposal with less than 2 year payback, substantial reduction in future operating costs and a generous BBP incentive to boot would be a welcome winner!”

Project Snapshot

Project Cost: $87,486
Annual electricity savings: 417,852 kWh
Annual electricity demand savings: 47.7 kW
Annual cost savings: $41,785
Annual CO2 savings: 402 tonnes
Incentive received: BBP ($20,892.61)
Annual ROI: 57%
Payback period: less than 2 years

About the City of Toronto

For more information please contact:

Better Buildings Partnership
Tel: 416-392-1500
bbp@toronto.ca

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