Prism Engineering

Financial

The Challenge

The Solution

The Impact

VanCity Savings and Credit Union

The Challenge:

VanCity is the largest credit union in Canada, with a total area of approximately 308,000 square feet at their 40 British Columbia facilities. They are committed to sustainable business practices and a quality work environment for their staff. VanCity was looking for a mechanical and electrical consultant to provide them with reliable advice for their facility management department, and a mechanism to track and monitor energy use.

The Solution:

Prism has worked closely with VanCity for over 12 years as their engineering consultant of choice for upgrades and modifications to their facilities. Prism has completed and implemented energy studies for the Head Office and most branches of VanCity, provided assistance for mechanical and electrical problems, and designed modifications and improvements to this large network of facilities. Design modifications, including lighting, electrical distribution, telephone and data cabling, sign lighting control and HVAC control and optimization, have been carried out over numerous projects.

Prism also provides on-going services to the facilities department, such as monitoring and tracking services of utilities for all locations and participating in quarterly energy management team meetings. Prism assists VanCity in their renovation planning in order to make the facilities more comfortable for employees and more efficient to maintain.

Prism developed customized monitoring software to monitor and report on energy performance for each facility. Utility data was collected and input into the program on a periodic basis for preparation of monitor reports, which were reviewed and evaluated for areas of improvement. We also developed an Energy Policy to guide VanCity’s purchasing decisions.

The Impact:

The Energy Management Action Plan allowed VanCity to see how and where energy consumption had been reduced, and by monitoring energy use they can now ensure the plan is adhered to, as well as look for anomalies and exceptions to anticipated energy use. Prism continues to work with VanCity to help improve their “Triple Bottom Line” (social, economic, and sustainability).

VanCity won the 2000 Leadership Award (commercial building category) for their outstanding Energy Management Action Plan and energy efficiency upgrades. VanCity has also won recognition from BC Hydro and BOMA for their innovation in energy management and sustainability and became PowerSmart Certified in 2003. VanCity’s goal is to reduce energy use by a further 10% of 2001 use by 2005. They also include energy efficiency in the design of new facilities and revisions to existing buildings.


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