Ottawa-Carleton District School Board
The Challenge
In the fall of 1998, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board faced a dilemma: how could it modernize and upgrade the physical assets of its aging schools and classrooms, when shrinking budgets and scarce resources made large capital projects unthinkable? Realizing that an innovative solution was needed, the Board partnered with Ameresco Canada to make buildings more efficient and reduce its $12 million CAN annual energy bill.
Our Solution
Phase I of the energy efficiency program started in the summer of 1998 and applied to 76 schools. Initiatives included building automation controls, highly visible lighting upgrades, building envelope sealing, water conservation measures, conversion of boilers from oil or electricity to natural gas and replacement of inefficient natural gas boilers.
Impact
- Saves $1.9 million CAN per year in energy
- $14.3 CAN million investment
- 30% reduction in utility costs and CO2 emissions
"I can't stress the value of partnership enough. Most boards are struggling with diminished capacity, staff and budgets and we have to be smarter with managing our position and our resources so that we can do more and become more efficient. A really good way to do this is to partner and to share risk with that partner in order to increase capacity and thus achieve more within the same funding envelope." Kathleen Lausman, Manager of Physical Facilities, Design and Construction Services, OCDSB
