Commercial Custom Retrofit
Improving ventilation in schools
Built in 1923, St. Catharines Collegiate offers year-round educational programming to more than 600 students, right in the heart of downtown. By participating in the Commercial Custom Retrofit Program, the historic building reduced natural gas costs, improved energy efficiency and made spaces safer for students and staff by enhancing indoor air quality
Highlights
District School Board of Niagara significantly improved building performance and reduced boiler operating and maintenance costs by updating system programming and control strategies.
The benefits add up:
- Lower overall energy-related operating costs.
- Improved ventilation control and system scheduling.
- More efficient and reliable heating system operation.
- Greater comfort for students and staff.
Results
$22,120
Enbridge Gas incentive*
$25,680
annual natural gas savings†
200,000 kwh
estimated annual electricity savings‡
<1 year
payback**
† Estimated annual natural gas savings of 85,604 m3 at $0.30/m3.
‡ Savings identified by the District School Board of Niagara.
Their challenge
With building systems not fully optimized to recognize unoccupied periods, mechanical systems at St. Catharines Collegiate were operating longer than necessary, driving up energy use and operating costs.
Our solution
A Building Automation System upgrade enabled the school to optimize heating, ventilation and pumping schedules to improve energy efficiency, increase comfort and reduce wear and tear. Updated programming helps ensures systems operate only when neededwhile monitoring and alerts support early issue detection and help avoid costly breakdowns.
“As a public sector organization we have a mandate to reduce energy use,” says Graeme McKenzie, Energy Coordinator, District School Board of Niagara. “We were able to significantly reduce boiler operating and maintenance costs simply by changing the logic and strategies behind how our systems operate. I recommend engaging an Enbridge Gas Energy Solutions Advisor as soon as possible to get free expert help and financial incentives to support your project.”
“The end result is a safer, more efficient building, the smartest controls and a large reduction in natural gas use."
Graeme McKenzie, Energy Coordinator,
District School Board of Niagara
