Heating

Heating is the greatest drain on Canada’s energy system, but we can reduce energy use by maximizing a building’s ability to retain, use and even reuse heat.

60% energy savings compared to standard construction

Condensing Boilers

At 96% efficiency, our main boiler reuses the heat that most other boilers expel. A sensor monitors outdoor temperature and modulates water temperature to conserve energy. Two other boilers, rated at 94% and 85% efficiency, augment the main boiler during the coldest weather.

Radiant Heating

In-Floor Radiant Heating

Coils laid within the concrete floors of our ground floor circulate hot water, which can be 10 to 27 degrees lower than usual. The floor has a high thermal mass, and stores and slowly releases heat to warm the space.

Wall-Mounted Perimeter Radiant Heating

Our wall radiators use less water at a cooler temperature, and feature copper and aluminum heat exchangers that maximize efficiency. The result is 12% energy savings compared to conventional radiators.

Heat Recovery

When ejecting stale air from the building, most systems expel the heat along with it. Here, a heat-recovery coil filled with glycol captures the heat first, recycling it to warm the incoming air.

Ventilation

Natural airflow systems minimize the amount of energy needed to keep fresh air pumping throughout the building.

42% energy savings compared to standard construction

Working Windows

Unlike most office buildings, which rely on energy-consuming fans to ventilate, we strategically use open windows to keep fresh air naturally flowing throughout the building.

Custom Air Quality

CO₂ sensors monitor air quality to regulate the amount of fresh air in the building. The system saves energy by basing its output on the amount of CO₂ in the air, which increases along with the number of people.

Solar Chimneys

Three solar chimneys extend from the second floor to the roof. The sun heats the air in the chimneys, creating an updraft that helps to draw hot air out of the rest of the building by convection.

Humidification

High concentrations of moisture make a room feel warmer. In winter, we use a steam boiler to inject dry steam into the air, increasing the humidity and warmth with minimal energy.

Natural Cooling

The building is designed to operate as long as possible without air conditioning,
thanks to natural methods of cooling and high-efficiency systems.

The building envelope is highly insulated. Blinds and a special film in the windows (Heat Mirror) help to redirect heat out. Efficient lighting systems and computers minimize the amount of waste heat added to the building.

Well-placed windows draw in fresh air, cooling the building in spring and fall. On cool summer nights, fans draw air into the hollow core concrete slab floor system. With windows closed during the day, the pre-cooled floor absorbs heat generated from computers, lights and people.

30% energy savings compared to standard construction

Scroll Chillers

Air conditioning is sometimes required. In these cases, our high-efficiency scroll chillers use collected rainwater to cool the air while consuming minimal electricity.