Commercial Office Building HVAC Electrification

Case StudiesEnergy Efficiency

Project Overview

A prominent 30-story commercial office building in downtown Vancouver required a new HVAC system to meet the owner’s operational needs and sustainability goals and ensure compliance with Vancouver’s stringent environmental standards. The existing HVAC system, which included gas-fired boilers, aging chillers, and outdated make-up air units, would be replaced with state-of-the-art, electrified HVAC components.

Key Challenges

Infrastructure Limitations

Existing electrical infrastructure was inadequate for the upgraded HVAC system’s power needs.

Downtime

Building was occupied, requiring minimal disruption to ongoing operations.

Timeline

Project also had to be completed on a tight schedule to align with the building’s sustainability targets and tenant lease agreements.

The Sasco Approach

1

Comprehensive Planning & Design

  • In-depth energy audit and load analysis to design a fully-integrated, electrified HVAC system, including selection of high-efficiency electric boilers, chillers, and make-up air units tailored to the building’s specific requirements.
  • Coordinated plan to seamlessly integrate these new systems with the upgraded electrical infrastructure, ensuring optimal performance and energy efficiency.
2

Electrical Infrastructure Upgrade

  • Thorough assessment of the building’s electrical system and identified necessary upgrades, including a new electrical service panel and additional circuits to support the electric boilers, chillers, and make-up air units.
  • Secured all required permits and ensured the design met Vancouver’s strict energy efficiency and safety codes.
3

Installation of Electrified HVAC Systems

Coordinated the installation of the below systems to minimize tenant disruption, with work primarily scheduled during off-peak hours.

  • Electric Boilers
    Replaced the existing gas-fired boilers with high-efficiency electric boilers, providing reliable and environmentally friendly heating for the entire building.
  • Advanced Chillers
    Installed modern, energy-efficient electric chillers to ensure consistent and effective cooling throughout the office spaces.
  • Make-Up Air Units
    Integrated new make-up air units to supply fresh, conditioned air and maintain indoor air quality and pressure balance across the building.
4

Testing & Commissioning

  • Commissioned the new systems and conducted rigorous testing to ensure all components—boilers, chillers, and make-up air units—operated efficiently and met the building’s heating, cooling, and ventilation needs.
  • Provided training to the building’s facilities management team on operating and maintaining the new electrified systems.

Results

Energy Efficiency

The new electrified boilers, chillers, and make-up air units significantly reduced the building’s energy consumption by 35%, leading to substantial operational cost savings.

Reduced Carbon Emissions

The project achieved a 50% reduction in the building’s carbon footprint, aligning with Vancouver’s aggressive sustainability goals.

Improved Indoor Air Quality

The installation of advanced make-up air units ensured a continuous supply of fresh, filtered air, improving indoor air quality and occupant comfort.

Tenant Satisfaction

Strategic planning and execution ensured that the project was completed with minimal disruption to tenants, maintaining high occupancy and satisfaction levels.

Regulatory Compliance

The building successfully met all local codes and regulations, securing necessary certifications and setting a new benchmark for sustainable commercial buildings in Vancouver.

Conclusion

The electrification of the HVAC system in this 30-story commercial office building in Vancouver demonstrates the effectiveness of strategic partnerships in achieving complex sustainability goals. By combining the expertise of a national HVAC service company with the local knowledge, experience, and precision of Sasco, the project was completed on time, within budget, and with outstanding results.

Want to learn more about how Sasco can deliver on the electrification of your building’s HVAC system? Contact us to discuss your project.

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