Energy@Work is pleased to publish "Benchmarking 170 Condominiums in the Greater Toronto Area as per EWRB O. REG. 506/18"

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Energy@Work is pleased to publish Edward Newton's 2020 Humber College Capstone Project "Benchmarking 170 Condominiums in the Greater Toronto Area as per EWRB O. REG. 506/18". This report investigates how to effectively benchmark MURBs by analyzing factors that impact building energy consumption. The ultimate goal of this research is to develop effective benchmarking methods to help MURB stakeholders understand energy reduction opportunities and their economic impact and also act on these opportunities.

This research paper analyzes data that Energy@Work gathered from 170 condominiums in the Greater Toronto Area during the 2019 Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking process. We would like to thank Crossbridge Condominium Services for their support in gathering this data and their advocacy for benchmarking in Ontario. This work would not have been possible without their contributions.

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On July 3rd Energy@Work will team with BOMA Toronto for Workshop #3 of 3, “Path Forward to Robust and Resilient Building Operations”, 8:30-11:30AM

The workshop series is broken into 3 sessions:
Our 1st workshop: “Optimizing Building under COVID-19 Conditions", occurred on June 12th and illustrated the behavior of 131 Commercial Offices’ electricity use.
Our 2nd workshop: “Building Blocks for Performance and Safety” on June 19th dug deeper into understanding the “WHY”, and the importance of operations having a plan to explain the “WHY”.

Our 3rd and final workshop on July 3rd, is a logical conclusion to provide the “What” and the “How”.

We know each building is different and will be reopening with very different occupancy and requirements.  Dynamic responses will be required to assure occupants that they can return to work safely. This translates into understanding what their office building is doing to protect them.  Returning to work comfortably results from understanding the issues and the safety measures that have been put in place.

For operations, this will mean assembling the ‘jigsaw puzzle’ but without a complete picture or even all the pieces.  Can we achieve this level of comfort to welcome people back?  Yes – but we will need to unite the People, Process and Products.

On July 3rd, we will summarize our ‘Collective Wisdom’ to suggest a “new NORM”.  Working together, we will share the tools that are available and the evolving knowledge we have gained while working closely with industry experts. This includes Existing Building Commissioning (EB Cx) and access to tools, such as those from NRCan. EB Cx focuses on Safety (#1), Tenant Comfort, Equipment Reliability, System Configurations as well as energy efficiency.

The 3rd and final workshop will conclude with our “We and not Me” operation strategy.
There is still time to register and join in!

Friday, July 3rd (8:30 AM to 11:30 AM)

Click Here to register

For more information, email: requests@energy-efficiency.com

BOMA Toronto Workshops 'Restarting Smart': Optimizing Buildings under COVID-19 Conditions

June 12th (9:30 AM to 11:00 AM)
June 19th (9:30 AM to 11:00 AM)
&
July 3rd (9:30 AM to 11:00 AM)

Energy@Work presented part 2 of BOMA Toronto’s 3 part workshop: 'Restarting Smart' series. We shared real results and insights collected over 14 weeks from over 130 commercial offices to answer 3 critical questions:
1. What did we see before COVID and during COVID?
2. What are we seeing now?
3. What can we expect as we develop our “new norm”?

During the 1st workshop on June 12th, we demonstrated the impact on electricity use by comparing use across 130+ offices. The 2nd presentation dug deeper to provide attendees with industry expertise to better understand how commercial offices responded to COVID and the electricity impact. The final presentation took what we collectively learned to suggest how management and operation teams are expected to respond and prioritize.

For more information, contact:
requests@energy-efficiency.com

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Energy@Work reveals the key to success in the Globe and Mail article on the opportunities for mid-sized building retrofits

Scott Rouse provided insight on the approach required for achieving successful results in the article, Deep retrofits key to climate change progress, but mid-size buildings lag behind, published on May 12th by the Globe and Mail. Energy@Work’s clients are committed to finding energy saving opportunities and, with the right strategy, developing them into tangible results!

“Success depends on having a process, energy management products and trained people in place,” [Scott Rouse] says. “Often not hitting a target can come down to people issues because of inadequate training, not the process or products.”

Developing an Energy Management Action Plan (E-MAP) to track energy use and achieve target reductions, as well as thorough and continued operator training, are paramount to the success of these projects. Energy@Work has helped numerous buildings achieve a 30%+ economic potential. Case studies are available upon request.

Click here to read the full Globe and Mail article.

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Energy@Work provided advice and expertise during this year’s BOMA Toronto Annual Global Adjustment (GA) Workshop:

Energy@Work shared the secrets to winning the (GAM)e to the over 100 participants:
Decision #1: Be prepared and ready for the June 15th annual deadline
Decision #2: Starting June 16th, engage your Energy Management Action Plan <E-MAP>
With GA costing over $1 Billion each month it is a good GAMe to win!

The COVID response is testing the players’ knowledge and winning the 2020-21 (GAM)e is going to be very challenging.
As shown below, each property has their own electricity response when we compared electricity reduction between 2 periods: pre-COVID and during COVID.

If you missed the workshop, click here to obtain a copy of the presentation and learn what should be considered for Decision #1 before the June 15th deadline.

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Are you prepared for the annual June 15th Global Adjustment Mechanism, i.e.: Decision #1?

Join us at the annual BOMA Toronto Global Adjustment Workshop on May 12th at 9:00AM to learn how you can win the GAM(e)!

Register here to attend

Properties over the 1,000 kW average monthly demand can opt to be Class A or B. Manufacturing and industrial buildings over 500 kW can also choose between the two classes.

Energy@Work will be presenting at the BOMA Toronto workshop on Global Adjustment (GA) to address the largest charge on your monthly electricity bill. The Webinar takes place on May 12th, 2020 from 9:00am - 10:30am. It will address the importance of the 2 Decisions (timeline and process)

• 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?

Can't make it or need help registering? Feel free to give us a call at 416.642.0571 or drop an email to requests@energy-efficiency.com.

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COVID-19 Response: Watch how you can Save Electricity while Out of the Office

2020 has brought with it a lot of changes with many people working from home. This offers an opportunity to save electricity by making sure equipment that does not need to be on – is shut off. Check out our list of tips and tricks and watch our quick video to find out how you can help save electricity at the office and at home as well!

Tips and Tricks to conserve electricity:

1) Shutdown your computer or monitor when not in use.

Computers can be some of the largest energy consumers in offices. Try turning your monitor off at the end of the day and skipping the screen saver.

2) Unplug Big TV Screens!

TV screens are the biggest culprits when it comes to energy use and often found throughout the office and in conference rooms. Ensure they are OFF and not just on standby by unplugging the screen.

3) Turn off the lights.

Lights are often left on when no one is around. Hit the switch to power down when not in use or if you are the last person to leave.

4) Switch to a self-timed power bar to reduce plug load.

Power bars provide effortless savings by turning off all your devices including cell phones, tablets and chargers with one easy flip of the switch! A power bar has the same effect as unplugging each device without the hassle.

5) Eliminate idling appliances

Common appliances such as microwaves, toasters, coffee makers and printers use standby power when plugged in even if no one is using it. Eliminate wasted energy by unplugging appliances not in use.

6) Implement the "last person check"

A simple way to ensure appliances are unplugged and lights are off is by designating an individual to do a final sweep of the space before leaving. 

7) Print only when necessary. 

There are numerous ways you can share and store important files today from using cloud storage to emailing individuals. Avoiding printing will not only reduce paper waste but will also help cut down the total amount of energy consumed by the printer.

8) Boil only as much as you need.

The kettle uses significant energy when heating up to boil water. Boiling a larger than needed quantity of water will not only take longer to heat up but also uses more energy to get the job done. Get your boiled water quicker by only heating up as much as you need!

9) Layer up!

Everybody has a different comfort level when it comes to temperature. Consider having an office sweater, jacket or scarf available for layering up to ensure you are warm and comfortable.

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Tips and Tricks for BOMA Toronto's Beyond Earth Hour 2020!

BOMA Toronto’s Beyond Earth Hour Challenge is quickly approaching. Watch our quick video to find out different ways you can help your building compete!

The Beyond Earth Hour Challenge registration will end on March 26th at 4PM. The challenge will take place March 27th at 6PM to March 30th at 6AM.

Good luck!

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This year's BOMA Beyond Earth Hour Challenge will take place on Friday, March 27th at 6:00 PM to Monday, March 30th at 6:00 AM

BOMA’s 8th Annual Beyond Earth Hour Challenge will take place on Friday, March 27th at 6:00 PM to Monday, March 30th at 6:00 AM

Expanding on the spirit of Earth Hour and energy conservation, participants will be competing for award recognition as a Top Reducer in the Building and Tenant Challenge categories. With a focus on building and tenant performance as well as collective conservation efforts over the Earth Hour Weekend, onus is on landlords and tenants to find operational and behavioural changes that contribute to the reduction of energy consumption over the entire weekend as opposed to the one hour.

Challenge Registration is free and simple, click here to register!

Winners of the Tenant and Building Challenges will be announced at the annual BOMA Toronto Certificate of Excellence Gala on May 20th.

We look forward to another year of innovative strategies and collaborative partnerships in the collective effort to reduce electricity consumption.

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Exciting Results from the 2019/20 Holiday Challenge! Plus- gearing up for this year's BOMA Beyond Earth Hour Challenge!

Great results from this year’s Holiday Challenge! 883,000 kWh reduction as measured directly from the utility electric meter was achieved, worth about $10,000 per day at NO COST.

Contact: Requests@Energy-Efficiency.com or visit us at www.Energy-Efficiency.com for Energy@Work's Holiday Challenge presentation.

Individual results are discussed at the respective Energy Management Action Plan (E-MAP) meeting and lessons learned shared for the upcoming BOMA Toronto’s 8th annual “Beyond Earth Hour Challenge” in support of Earth Hour. Registration to the Building and Tenant Challenge is free and simple. To learn more about this year's Beyond Earth Hour Challenge, register for the webinar on Feb 18th at 9:30am: Click here to register for the webinar!

This year's BOMA Toronto Beyond Earth Hour Challenge will occur on Friday, March 27th at 6:00 PM to Monday, March 30th at 6:00 AM.

Thanks to everyone that participated in this year's Holiday Challenge! We can't wait to see the savings from the upcoming 2020 BOMA Beyond Earth Hour Challenge!

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