In March 2020, Energy@Work compared weekend electricity use, pre and post COVID, across 131 commercial offices as part of our annual Beyond Earth Hour Challenge for BOMA Toronto.
We were surprised to see only an 11% average electricity reduction despite the 90%+ occupancy reduction.
This led to a series of BOMA workshops exploring electricity use during the heating and cooling seasons across 33 commercial offices, all of which are enrolled in a monthly Energy Management Action Plan, targeting, and achieving utility improvements.
The series concluded with a summary of HVAC best practices based on ASHRAE suggestions as well as from other credible sources.
This effort prompted the above self-assessment tool and guide with support from NRCan and technical experience from Michel Parent, Technosim.
When we started to work on this tool, ASHRAE’s position on HVAC airborne transmission was:
“sufficiently likely”
However, on April 5th, 2021 ASHRAE revised their position to say:
The Tool can be downloaded for free off the NRCan website: NRCan HVAC Self-Assessment Tool (pdf)
If you have questions, comments or concerns – please feel free to reach out to us.
Join Energy@Work in celebrating Earth Day: April 22nd, 2021!
This year, Earth Day provides a special opportunity to look back on how the world has changed during the pandemic. We realize that we are all in this together and must work together. Now is the time to look at how we can have an impact on climate change as we move into the “new normal”.
“Together, we can prevent the coming disasters of climate change and environmental destruction. Together, we can Restore Our Earth”
There are virtual events taking place all over the world, in many languages and for all age ranges! Take a look and register for an event here: Earth Day 2021
A new opportunity to improve efficiency is available through a carbon price of $170/ Tonne by 2030. The government plans to increase the carbon price by $15/Tonne annually, beginning in 2023. This will act as a catalyst in helping change behaviour and reduce carbon.
Although controversial, there is now a Carbon Price that can help bring us together in solving the climate challenge. We have clear and increasing evidence that climate change is real. Most of us have seen evidence, in our own lifetime, of these changes. For instance, the abandoned chairlift pole from the “ski hill” on the south side of Lawrence, east of the Don Valley Parkway, is still visible.
Do we need to drive to the store, or can we walk or take a bike?
Taking our own reusable bag eliminates the need for plastic bags.
Reusable water bottles ensure that we stay hydrated without needing to purchase plastic water bottles.
Our favourite, being energy efficiency geeks, is turning off the lights when it is not needed and is one of the reasons, we support the holiday challenge as well as Beyond Earth Hour Challenge with BOMA Toronto.
1) Take your Gym to work:
Together, with the downtown BIA, we look at the benefits of cycling, with safety tips
2) Eliminate Phantom Power:
This short video shares how an extra minute can help reduce the electricity that is wasted by offering no practical value
3) Business Case:
IBM- this classic video demonstrates how energy efficiency and good business can be one and the same
March GAM cost is $0.894 billion. This is an 80% increase from February’s GAM ($0.498 billion).
Mark your calendars, BOMA Toronto is hosting its annual Global Adjustment (GA) Workshop on Wednesday, May 19th, 2021 to address the largest charge on your monthly electricity bill. Registration available soon
Energy@Work is speaking at the workshop and will address the importance of the 2 Decisions:
Decision #1: To be Class A or B on June 15th and need to advise the utility
Decision #2: What is your plan going forward as a Class A or B account, aka what is your strategy?
Contact us at requests@energy-efficiency.com for more information.
GAM costs are largely Nuclear (OPG and non-OPG). However, conservation continues to be reported as the reason for GAM when it is less than 3%. Another ‘why?’ question that remains unanswered.
Energy@Work’s services includes a “GAM coach”. We maintain the importance of developing a GAM Strategy for either Class A or Class B to win the (GAM)e. Our collective savings by choosing the appropriate strategy is well over $10 million.
The AEEGTA Wrench of the Year award acknowledges and celebrates the individuals that best exemplify the spirit of hard work, hands-on responsibility, and determination that results in the successful implementation of an energy efficiency project.
The award specifically rewards on-site facility personnel that are often overlooked in major efficiency projects but whose hard work and attention are key to successful project implementation.
Our Congratulations goes out to James Hrenyk, 2020 Recipient of the AEEGTA Wrench Award. James’ efforts at 4711 Yonge Street, Managed by Menkes Property Management was significant. James’s openness to new ideas and using best practices were tested during the monthly Energy Management Action Plan (E-MAP) meetings. This resulted in positive impacts that were recorded and reported, and electricity savings were verified by Toronto Hydro.
James was excellent to work with and a true example of going above and beyond for efficiency projects! For example, James volunteered to ‘BETA Test’ NRCan HVAC Self-assessment tool to provide us valuable insights and suggestions– thank you and congratulations James!
We thank everyone that has provided feedback and for your comments: positive and negative!
We appreciate to hear your thoughts and welcome your feedback on how we can improve or include other areas of interest to you: Please email: Requests@Energy-Efficiency.com
Thank You:
- Energy@Work