The window for 2024 Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking (EWRB) is closing fast! Ontario Regulation 506/18 closes July 1st.
Reporting and benchmarking building performance is the first step to managing utility costs. It provides large buildings owners an opportunity to review their building’s performance and compare how their buildings perform compared with similar buildings. Using this information can help lower operating costs, improve environmental performance and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
View our short video on the value of EWRB. Click on the image below or follow the link to watch:
Greening Government Strategy (GGS)
In early June, there were updates to the Federal Government's green operations strategy:
“Starting in 2025, all lease transactions will request and prioritize net-zero-emissions space”
“Where net-zero buildings are not available, leased buildings must implement an industry-recognized path to net-zero emissions within 15 years, and enhanced climate resilience as required, included in the applicable leasing transaction.”
Find out more from: Canadian Property Management
This is similar to the Australian approach:
"The National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) was used to measure the ongoing level of energy efficiency of government office buildings.”- Government buildings - DCCEEW
Comment:
This approach avoids regulations and instead defines what is required.
“As of November 2023, The EEGO policy has been superseded by the APS Net Zero in Government Operations strategy.”- Government buildings - DCCEEW
In both cases, Energy Efficiency is recognized as the first and logical step.
Energy@Work’s Energy Management Action Plan (E-MAP) has proven to be a reliable roadmap for many. By optimizing building performance without compromising safety, comfort, or equipment reliability, E-MAP is helping to achieve a 30% economic potential!
Retrofitting History: 1931 Manhattan High-Rise Adopts Modern Heat Pumps for Decarbonization
A 17-story building in Manhattan, constructed in 1931, is setting a precedent with its proactive approach to meeting the strict emissions standards set by New York City's Local Law 97. This legislation requires significant emission reductions from buildings larger than 25,000 square feet by 2030, imposing hefty fines for non-compliance.
In anticipation of these regulations, the building's management has opted to replace outdated heating and cooling systems with state-of-the-art heat pumps. This move avoids the simpler but less efficient approach of like-for-like system replacements, which would not meet long-term sustainability goals. The new system integrates both air and water source heat pumps and introduces a method to capture and reuse waste heat.
This strategic upgrade is expected to decrease the building's energy usage by 25% compared to traditional setups and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 70% relative to 2019 levels by 2030. As the local energy grid becomes cleaner, these reductions could increase to 90% by 2035. Notably, this transformation will help the building avoid over $200,000 in annual emissions fines starting in 2030.
Moreover, the innovative thermal circulatory system installed as part of the retrofit is anticipated to enhance comfort for occupants, representing a significant improvement over the old system. The commitment to a more complex but far more efficient system exemplifies a strategic, long-term approach to building retrofitting that considers environmental impact, operational costs, and occupant comfort. This project serves as a leading example for urban sustainability, demonstrating the substantial benefits of embracing advanced energy solutions over conventional methods. This project also demonstrates the overlooked potential for sustainability in historic buildings, where innovative solutions are often prematurely deemed impractical.
Read CleanTechnica’s full article here
In a project closer to home, the Historic Berkeley Castle, managed by Linda Leistner, continues its journey by improving energy efficiency and sustainability efforts. Recently earning the 2024 ENERGY STAR Building Certification for another year. Her Energy Management Action Plan (E-MAP) has demonstrated and sustained the 30% economic opportunity which is typically available to others as well.
Discover more about Berkeley Castle's ongoing improvements in our case study below.
Read more: Case Study: Berkeley Castle's E-MAP Success!
Monitoring and Understanding Your Data: The Key to Meeting Aggressive GHG Limits
Following in the footstep of New York City’s by-law 97, the City of Vancouver is leading the charge in GHG reduction. A new by-law will set a fine of $300 per tonne of GHG emissions for buildings exceeding 25 kgCO2/m²/year (2.3 kgCO2/ft²/year), effective 2026. This initiative aims to push buildings towards greater energy efficiency and lower carbon footprints.
Toronto is following a similar path. Mandatory reporting of Energy and Water was introduced in 2024 and discussions are underway on performance standards.
City of Toronto: Emissions Performance Standards
Interestingly, buildings we support through our Energy Management Action Plan (E-MAP) service achieve an average emission of just 1.8 kgCO2/ft²/year. This achievement is a testament to our commitment to helping clients optimize their systems and make significant improvements with energy efficiency.
Explore the details of Vancouver’s GHG intensity limits here:
City of Vancouver GHG Limits
Share Your Successes: Nominate Your Energy Efficiency Project for Energy Manager Canada Honours Awards
Energy@Work is excited to share the 2024 Energy Manager Canada (EM) Honours awards program. Our Managing Partner, Scott Rouse, received the Energy Manager of the Year award in 2023. This recognition reflects the importance of acknowledging and sharing innovative projects within the industry, and we encourage others to showcase their impactful work.
Nominations are completed online at energy-manager.ca/awards
May’s Global Adjustment Mechanism (GAM)e Cost: $0.70 Billion
In May 2024, the GA cost was $0.70 billion. Which is a 7% increase from April 2024 GA cost of $0.65 billion.
The Class B March GA rate was $77.63/MWh ($0.078/kWh). The Average HOEP for May was $28.4/MWh ($0.028/kWh)
With these drastic monthly swings in cost, Energy@Work continues to ask “why?”. We provide a monthly review of GAM costs, however, the reason for the cost as well as the vast cost fluctuation remains unclear.
Energy@Work’s services include a “GAM coach”. We maintain the importance of a GAM Strategy for Class A and Class B in order to win the (GAM)e. Our collective savings have exceeded $10 million, and we look forward to continuing to assist.
Monthly Feature: City of Toronto By-Law 367 (EWRB) Has Extended the Reporting Deadline to October 31st!
The new EWRB requirement for 2024, under the Toronto By-law Chapter 367, that requires buildings exceeding 50,000 sqft to report has been extended to October 31st, 2024.
Buildings over 100,000 sqft must report through a licensed professional.
For more information see the benchmarking video here and for assistance in reporting, contact Energy@Work.
May Newsletter: News and Views
Energy@Work’s May newsletter, featuring industry news and updates, is now available. Click below to view May’s newsletter articles. You can also stay connected by clicking here to subscribe to our monthly updates.
May Newsletter: News and Views
Energy@Work’s May newsletter, featuring industry news and updates, is now available. Scroll down to view May’s newsletter articles. You can also stay connected by clicking the button below to subscribe to our monthly updates.
Ontario Condominium Managers Vs Property Managers in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs): Understanding the Difference
In Ontario, the roles and regulatory requirements for property managers and condominium managers differ significantly, reflecting their responsibilities and the nature of the properties they manage. This distinction is crucial, particularly when discussing regulations like the annual Ontario Regulation 506/18: Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking (EWRB), which often bring these roles into focus. We have broken down the main differences to better understand these roles.
Focus and Responsibilities
Property Managers oversee residential, mainly rental-unit, properties. Their primary responsibilities include leasing, rent collection, property maintenance, and tenant management. Their goal is to ensure the property is well-maintained, profitable, and operates smoothly.
Condominium Managers, on the other hand, are regulated; they manage condominium corporations focusing on the communal aspects of condo living. This includes maintaining common areas, enforcing community rules, and managing shared services. They work closely with condo boards, attending meetings and focusing on the unique needs and regulations of the condominium community. Their knowledge extends to the general operations and maintenance of the building, e.g.: HVAC, elevator functions, financial management etc.
Licensing and Regulatory Requirements
Property Managers in Ontario do not require a specific license to manage properties unless they engage in real estate transactions on behalf of others. However, many pursue professional development and certifications through courses offered by institutions like the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) or the Institute of Housing Management to enhance their qualifications.
Condominium Managers face stricter regulatory requirements. Since November 1, 2017, they must be licensed under the Condominium Management Services Act (CMSA). To obtain a license, they must meet criteria set by the Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (CMRAO), which includes completing educational programs, gaining experience, and passing examinations.
Continuing Professional Education (CPE)
For condominium managers, the CMRAO mandates ongoing education through the CPE program. From the 2023-24 licensing cycle, General Licensees must accumulate at least ten (10) CPE credits annually in categories such as Communication and Interpersonal Skills, Physical Building, Building Operations and Maintenance, Legal and Ethics, and Finance. This requirement ensures they remain current with industry standards and regulations.
Moreover, all licensees must adhere to a Code of Ethics and participate in CMRAO-approved learning activities, which are updated in real time, as they are approved. This continuous professional development supports their ability to manage effectively within the evolving landscape of condominium governance.