MASH

The most effective way to reduce energy consumption in municipal buildings is to engage in a portfolio-wide, systematic approach for improving energy efficiency and to incorporate energy efficiency into the design of new and renovated buildings. A portfolio-wide approach not only results in greater total reductions in local government energy costs and GHG emissions, but also enables local governments to offset the costs of more substantial, i.e., deeper, energy efficiency projects in buildings that have higher upfront costs with the savings from projects in other buildings. Many local governments have found that reducing energy consumption in green buildings through energy efficiency allows them to meet their renewable energy goals with smaller and less expensive generation systems.

In terms of publicly-funded colleges and universities, there are studies indicating that they spend an average of $1.10 per square foot on electricity and 18¢ per square foot on natural gas annually. In a typical college or university classroom building, lighting represents 31 percent and space heating accounts for 28 percent of total energy use, making those systems the best targets for energy savings.

With respect to school boards, The US EPA has observed that the nation’s school districts spend more than $6 billion annually on energy with as much as 30 percent being used inefficiently or unnecessarily wasted due to poorly functioning equipment, poor insulation, and outdated technology. Studies have found that a better physical environment that includes superior energy performance contributes to increased learning and productivity. Showing how energy improvements can help free up resources by spending less on utility bills provides schools with a greater incentive to become more energy efficient.

Based on the latest NRCan study on Consumption of Energy for Hospitals, total consumption was 52 million GJs consisting of 49% natural gas and 31% electricity, producing some 2.8 million tonnes of GHGs. Given that energy is approximately 50 percent of a health care facility’s budget, hospitals can slash their operating costs by using energy more efficiently, such as focusing on improving the energy performance of existing equipment, recalibrating thermostats and occupancy sensors, adjusting operating schedules, and rebalancing the air flows of the HVAC system.

Government studies have found that low-income households, generally referred to as members of Sustainable Affordable Housing, are likely to be spending twice as much, 7%, on energy as a percentage of income as the average household. Reasons for this include outdated equipment and poor housing conditions. Another study finds that some 35% of this increased energy cost could be alleviated if this housing could be brought up to the energy efficiency levels of the average home.

Stepping up to the Decarbonization imperative creates several opportunities for the MASH sector – satisfying voter/resident/student/patient demands, increased employee satisfaction and increased cash flows through the energy efficiencies achieved. It will also demand a renewed focus on the carbon footprint of its multitude of suppliers.