Located 185km from Toronto, Bruce County comprises eight municipalities and 66,000 people. The County partnered with Ecosystem to design and construct a deep energy retrofit for two long-term care homes (175,000 ft2), an administrative building (44,000 ft2), and a cultural center (55,000 ft2). It focused on renewing assets, reducing GHG emissions and energy costs, and providing a healthy financial payback.
The implementation approach saw extensive coordination among utility companies, the County and project contractors. It prioritized occupant comfort, continuous operations and was designed around seasonal variables. For instance, it minimized disruption to long-term care home residents by scheduling the installation of new energy-efficient chillers during winter months with reduced cooling needs. An education program for municipal staff also raised awareness about the project, set expectations, and promoted cooperation during construction.
The retrofit’s $270,000 in annual savings were guaranteed by Ecosystem for three years. It also received $136,500 in guaranteed incentives, from Union Gas and Save On Energy’s program targeting lighting, motor and HVAC measures. Overall, Bruce County benefits from increased operational savings, reduced deferred maintenance and an improved carbon footprint.
Interior and exterior lighting upgrades
Building automation system replacement
Heat pump replacement
Condensing boiler replacements
Control systems recommissioning
Chiller replacement
