Building energy modeling allows operational and equipment changes to be evaluated in terms of their impact on energy use intensity. Done well, it is a valuable tool to assist in optimizing energy management upgrades and for evaluation of different designs for incentive and building certification programs (e.g. LEED).
Our firm has prepared more than 100 detailed building simulation models over the past decade, and acts as a Project Evaluator for several incentive programs that require building simulation models as part of the submission.
Our models have been reviewed and approved for LEED submissions and for energy efficiency incentive programs across Canada, representing more than $5M in incentives paid to our clients over the past 5 years.
Building Codes and Standards
Bob Bach of EPL has been involved with energy codes for new building construction since 1991, which precedes their introduction into the OBC in 1993. Related work includes:
- Participated as a member of the Building Code Energy Efficiency Technical Advisory Committee convened by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to advise on changes that have since been incorporated into OBC 2006.
- Prepared a series of sector guides to implementing an environmental management system in collaboration with CSA, who published them as CSA Plus documents.
- Advised and assisted NRCan from 2004 to 2007 on the formation and organization of the Building Energy Code Collaborative, comprised of provincial and territorial energy and building code representatives, which led directly to the decision by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes to update the MNECB.
- Currently working with NRCan to define and streamline methods of energy code enforcement and support services that would assist provinces and municipalities as energy codes are adopted in provincial building codes, other than the OBC, across the country.
This expertise has proven to be very valuable when preparing incentive applications in different jurisdictions.
