Building well-being

The new South Niagara Hospital, just off Queen Elizabeth Way, is aiming to become Canada’s first WELL®-certified health care facility, integrating energy-saving strategies with innovative features that help improve patient care, staff productivity and overall health.

Highlights

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    The new South Niagara Hospital, is aiming to become Canada’s first WELL®-certified health care facility, integrating energy-saving strategies with innovative features that help improve patient care, staff productivity and overall health.

  • Checkmark

    Savings by Design program from Enbridge Gas is helping South Niagara Hospital achieve their goal of becoming a WELL®-certified facility, where wellbeing, sustainability and efficiency align

Results

5,187,199 kg CO2e
Projected GHG reduction*

32%
Projected better energy performance than Ontario Building Code

108,000
square metres

50
acre site

*Projected savings based on energy modelling simulations from the Savings by Design Integrated Design Process workshop.

Where well-being and efficiency align

With an aging population and 14 million visitors a year, Niagara has a critical need for a modern facility that provides both 24-hour emergency services and complex and continuing care.

“There’s direct correlation between building design and occupant health,” said Cliff Harvey, Niagara Health’s Chief Planning Officer. “Savings by Design is helping us achieve our goal of becoming a WELL®-certified facility, where well-being, sustainability and efficiency align.”

Doubly efficient as the program goal

During the full-day Savings by Design workshop, a range of design alternatives were explored, such as adding energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) to make the ventilation system (one of the most energy-intensive areas) more efficient.

The energy modelling process included in the workshop showed that the hospital’s energy performance is expected to be 32.1 percent better than the Ontario Building Code, doubling the goal set by the program.

Bottom-line benefits

Designing a healthier, more sustainable environment helps hospitals achieve the “Triple Aim”: improving health outcomes, enhancing the patient and staff experience and lowering operational costs, which allows more resources to be directed to patient care.

Potential project enhancements

  • Condensing boiler with 96 percent efficiency
  • Heat recovery chiller to reheat spaces
  • ERVs in patient rooms, offices, lobby
  • Fan static pressure reduced by 50 percent

“Savings by Design is helping us achieve our goal of becoming a WELL®-certified facility, where well-being, sustainability and efficiency align.”

Cliff Harvey, Chief Planning Officer,
Niagara Health

Start designing sustainable buildings with expert help

Savings by Design gives your project team free access to industry experts, technical tools and financial incentives to help you build high-performance, resilient and sustainable buildings.

How the program works

Number one

Visioning session

Session duration: 1 – 2 hours
We’ll meet with your project lead, sustainability manager and a design team member to help define your project requirements and sustainability priorities.

Number three

Evaluation of final design choices

Share the final designs that are being submitted to the municipality for permitting with your Energy Solutions Advisor to find out if the final design is likely to achieve the IDP efficiency performance targets. This also helps support continuous improvement of the program.

Number two

Integrated design process workshop

No cost
Workshop duration: 1 day Your team will strategize with energy modellers and sustainable design experts to maximize your project’s energy and environmental performance at a full-day workshop facilitated by Sustainable Buildings Canada.

An energy model will be developed as well as a final report summarizing the options discussed and recommendations.

Apply today to get the most out of your next project

* This has no cash value. To qualify for the program, projects must be located in the Enbridge Gas service area. City of Toronto and City of Ottawa projects will target the achievement of higher energy performance. Participants must agree to all program terms and conditions, fully participate in all stages of the program and meet all program requirements.