Energy and Water Use Efficiency in Public Housing - Moving Toward Sustainability

Introduction

Prism Engineering has been working with BC Housing on their Energy Pilot Program over the last three years. During this time, we have identified energy-saving opportunities in over 260 buildings at 42 sites. Approximately 4 GWh and 70,000 GJ of energy savings have been identified, worth over $1.5M in annual energy savings. The identified capital budget was approximately $16M. The energy savings would result in a reduction of approximately 3,500 tonnes of eCO2 emissions, the equivalent of taking 641 cars off the road.

Pilot Project (Study and Implementation)

In 2005, Prism Engineering was commissioned by BC Housing to complete energy studies for five of BC Housing's public housing projects in Vancouver and eight BC Housing subsidized non-profit buildings in Vancouver, Dawson Creek, and Victoria.

Throughout 2006 and 2007, we carried out the design and project management for the energy savings recommendations at the 13 sites. Energy and water saving measures implemented included:

This project resulted in over 1 GWh and 12,5000 GJ of electrical and fuel savings - this totals nearly $200,000 per year in energy savings. The budget for the work was $1.3M.

In 2008, we will provide reporting on the actual energy savings and complete one-year post-installation site reviews to ensure equipment and controls are operating as intended.

Energy and Water Studies at 10 Single-Room Occupancy Buildings

Other projects we carried out for BC Housing included ten single-room occupancy (SRO) buildings in downtown Vancouver, which were purchased by the Province of BC and scheduled to be operated by non-profit organizations. Some of the buildings are over a century old, and have been transformed over the years with various retrofits and renovations. Prism performed detailed energy audits in order to determine their current state of energy and water use, and recommend ways to reduce costs. The study was focused on common area and individual suite lighting, boiler plants, suite temperature control, building ventilation upgrades and controls, building envelope, and domestic hot and cold water reduction.

This study indicated a savings of 350,000 KWh and 1,900 GJ for a total dollar savings of $60,000 annually can be achieved, for a capital cost of $670,000.

Energy and Water Studies of 20 Sites

BC Housing also requested Prism carry out detailed energy studies of 20 of their directly-managed sites throughout the Greater Vancouver and Victoria areas. The study included determining the current state of energy and water use of the buildings, energy and resource savings potential for mechanical and electrical equipment, costs for new or modified equipment, a financial analysis, and an implementation plan.

This study identified 2,500,000 kWh and 50,000 GJ of potential energy savings, worth approximately $1,200,000, or 33% of pre-2006 costs.

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