7 Tips to Save Energy & Reduce Carbon in Your Schools, Colleges, Universities and Hospitals
Written by Josh Lewis, VP Energy Engineering, Nerva Energy Group
Managing energy performance and carbon emissions is no easy task. Each school building is unique, and as a result, will require a different combination of measures in order to drive maximum efficiency.
As we approach the upcoming heating season school boards will be faced with two new fiscal and operational challenges – rising utility rates and the Federal Carbon Tax.
In Ontario, electricity rates are estimated to rise by 50% in the next ten years, while Natural Gas is set to experience an estimated 143% increase. If that wasn’t enough, The Federal Carbon Tax is already set to increase by 311% in the same time period.
It’s not difficult to understand the substantial impact this will have on operating capital and the financial implications this will have on Ontario schools, colleges, universities and hospitals.
Here are 7 TIPS to help organize your pursuit for energy savings and GHG reduction:
Develop an up-to-date inventory list of the mechanical equipment for each facility including age, size, current state, and efficiency.
Review utility data to understand each schools’ energy load and performance. Quantify where your energy dollars are going, and what systems are consuming the most GHG emissions.
Review the operational schedules and peak running efficiency of the mechanical equipment in your school, scolleges, universities and hospitals. This will allow you to maximize energy savings during overnight hours, unoccupied times, and shoulder seasons (Spring & Fall).
Identify existing building and mechanical deficiencies that are affecting performance and wasting energy. Whether it be inefficient lighting, under-serviced air handling units, or faulty ductwork, there are typically a laundry list of “quick-wins” that can be prioritized and make a significant difference.
Evaluate the performance of your HVAC infrastructure. It is proven that most schools in Ontario are currently experiencing 15-20% energy waste and producing 20-25% more emissions than necessary.
Don’t set it and forget it! Many school administrators assume Building Automation Systems are designed to optimize energy and equipment performance when in reality they are typically used as an on/off mechanism. Instead, optimize your mechanical systems to take into account actual outdoor temperature, building occupancy, ramp-up schedules, etc.
As all public buildings continue on the path to Net-Zero, it is crucial to eliminate energy waste from your ecosystem, and avoid carrying those inefficiencies into your electrification plan. Failure to do so will substantially affect the cost of any new equipment (CAPEX) as well as burden you with higher electricity bills month-to-month (OPEX).
What impact will the Carbon Tax have on operating costs?
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The Federal Carbon Tax and Canada’s commitment under Paris Accord to reduce carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 has placed a lot of pressure on landlords to decarbonize buildings and reduce their Greenhouse Gas emissions.
The Federal Carbon Tax alone will increase 13% year over year until 2030, taking the cost of natural gas in Ontario from as much as $0.40 /m3 in 2022 to $0.98/m3 in 2030 – a total increase of 98%. It is important to realize that the Carbon Tax is a market-oriented solution to making carbon emissions more expensive, thus creating opportunities to move away from fossil fuels with positive financial, environmental, and corporate marketing impacts.
Much of Ontario’s public sector has already begun their transformational strategy, making the proactive choice to reduce their exposure to the Carbon Tax by implementing efficiency measures, rather than sitting on the sidelines and watching their natural gas bills double before the end of the decade.
Energy efficiency and conservation is becoming a top priority for these organizations, making way for new and innovative technologies and solutions that help optimize building performance, mitigating energy waste and reducing GHG emissions.
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