Energy Efficient Buildings | Recommissioning

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Case Study - Elementary School: Our Lady of Peace, Laval (QC)

The Our Lady of Peace elementary school, built in 1968, comprises 1,950 m² of floor area on one single floor. The building accomodates children in kindergarten up to Grade 6. Before the RCx, the annual energy bill was about $44,500. After completion in 2010, the RCx reduced the bill by 17% and focused mainly on the following electromechanical systems:

Natural gas boiler with 225 kW capacity (23 hp)
Electric boiler with 150 kW capacity
Ventilation system with a capacity of 5,700 L/s (12,000 CFM)
Cooling system with a capacity of 12 tonnes

Monetary or energy savings?

Monetary and energy savings often go hand in hand, as demonstrated in the shutdown of continuous operation of the ventilation system at Our Lady of Peace elementary school. However, the decision about to whether or not restart the electric boiler, which will result in a significant energy benefit, but at the same time generate a financial loss of 18%, is a more difficult choice.

Decision

The school board decided to give priority to an overall reduction in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) in order to meet the objectives set out at the start of the RCx project by the Quebec Department of Education, Recreation and Sport.

Results

Energy savings¹: 745 GJ/year (37%)
Monetary savings²: $7,515/year
GHG reduction (equivalent to 7 cars): 41 t CO₂e/year
Simple payback³: 4.7 years

Cost Breakdown

RCx winning measures

Annual savings

Optimization of stop/start commands for the ventilation unit and the main evacuators

Operate the ventilation system and the main evacuators on a schedule rather than in continuous 24/7. Ensure that the fresh air flow is controlled based on the working evacuators. Annual savings of 36,113 kWh of electricity and 8,129 m³ of natural gas.

Cost: $10,700 | Payback: 1.5 year

438 GJ/year

$7,000/year

Restart electric boiler

Restart the electric boiler for natural gas use savings. Electricity consumption increased by 178,500 kWh and consumption of natural gas reduced by 21,000 m³.

Cost: N/A | Payback: N/A

155 GJ/year

$-1,665/year

Decrease the temperature during unoccupied periods

Decrease the temperature in rooms at night and on weekends (from 22°C to 18°C) using sensors in strategic rooms. Annual savings of 1,710 m³ of natural gas.

Cost: $4,800 | Payback: 4.5 years

65 GJ/year

$1,065/year

7 other RCx measures

Cost: $5,380 | Payback: 4.8 years

87 GJ/year

$1,115/year

Note: Costs and paybacks include only implementation phase materials and labour.

" In addition to supporting the implementation of an improved preventive maintenance program, this recommissioning project has helped us to inexpensively achieve the objectives set by the department. Thus, we are reducing our ecological footprint and ensuring that our buildings last longer."

Daniel Hogues, Director of Material Resources
Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board

Laval (QC), Canada

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Stakeholders

Building owner and manager: Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board
RCx consultant: Bouthillette Parizeau
Measurement and verification: Bouthillette Parizeau
Collaborator: Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport du Québec

¹ Savings verified by an independent third party in accordance with the International Performance Monitoring & Verification Protocol (IPMVP) and weather-normalized.

² Monetary savings don’t include non-energy impacts (NEIs) such as equipment durability or reduction of tenant complaints.

³ Includes all 4 phases costs of project.

Catalogue No.: M154-46/2011E

ISBN: 978-1-100-18602-3

For information regarding reproduction rights, please contact Public Works and Government Services Canada at: 613-996-6886 or at: droitdauteur.copyright@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.