March 2016
A 20% reduction in energy costs can reduce condo fees by 5% or more.
The Ontario Power Authority provides incentives through Save on Energy that can pay for up to 50% of project costs. Incentives may be for a condo building to undertake an energy audit to identify where energy cost reductions make sense. They can also help pay for upgrading to more energy-efficient building systems such as more efficient lighting systems, HVAC updates or automation systems.
Four areas can be targeted to identity the best way to improve energy efficiency.
Lighting
Lighting can be one of the easiest upgrades. It can reduce energy consumption while making a building more comfortable and nicer. Lighting accounts for over half of all energy-efficient projects in multi-unit residential buildings involved in saveONenergy programs. Reductions in energy use from lighting projects can be as high as 20%.
Lighting upgrades may involve light sensors or motion sensors. It may include outdoor or parking area lighting. It can also involve upgrading of interior overhead and wall-mounted lighting.
The most common upgrade is to LED lighting.
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
HVAC can account for over half of all energy consumption in a multi-residential building.
Up to 50% of project costs can be covered through Save on Energy incentives when upgrading to high efficiency HVAC systems.
HVAC upgrades account for about 10% of energy-efficient projects in multi-unit residential buildings involved in Save on Energy programs. Savings in energy usage can reach 50%.
Building Automation Systems
Building Automation Systems can reduce energy consumption by up to 15% through better management of a building’s temperature, by lighting rooms only when in use, and monitoring of energy consumption.
Upgrades are often to ensure better management of high energy use equipment such as heat pumps and cooling tower fans. Such upgrades can reduce ongoing building maintenance costs.
In-Suite Metering
In-suite metering incentivizes condo residents to conserve electricity to reduce their costs. When electricity consumption in each unit is individually measured and billed, electricity usage can drop by up to 30%.
About 35% of investments in energy conservation include in-suite metering.
