Environmental and Recycling Initiatives
Energy Saving Initiatives
Reducing energy consumption in buildings is one of the key aspects of effectively addressing climate change, increasing energy efficiency, and saving resources. We have initiated some key sustainable practices, including the reduction of wasted energy in our HVAC system, our mechanical power systems, our chilled water system, our building cooling system, and our heating system. As of December of 2018, we have also completely replaced all the base lighting at 715 5th Avenue with LED bulbs.
With that in mind, Tillyard Management Inc. continues to work on environmental and recycling programs and we have implemented the following improvements to the 715 -5th Avenue SW building:
In order to reduce wasted energy, we have replaced all base building fluorescent lighting with LED lighting. LED lighting is more efficient, has a longer life span and superior operation, does not contain toxic materials, and produces a higher-quality light. Additionally, it is shown to have more beneficial effects on health.
To save energy, our lighting control system computer program automatically turns lights off in the building after regular business hours (regular business hours are 6:00am – 6:00pm on week days, and 9:00am – 5:00pm on Saturdays). The lighting computer is scheduled to make a “sweep” of all floors on an hourly basis throughout the night and weekends to turn off any lights that were left on.
Where possible, such as in washrooms, motion detectors have been installed to control lighting.
As well, to reduce the use of ‘after hours’ lights, Tillyard Management Inc. has employed day cleaning services rather than night cleaning.
Tillyard Management Inc. regularly reviews advancements in building operating procedures and implements changes to their building equipment on a continuous basis where possible.
Our Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are well maintained and carefully operated to ensure consistent delivery of air quality and quantities in line with industry comfort standards. The building’s HVAC system is controlled by the Building Automation System (BAS) and consists of speed controlled unitary air handling units serving each floor. Variable Air Volume (VAV) boxes are installed throughout the floors and are individually controlled by thermostats for comfort levels. Main air supply fans that introduce fresh air to the building are located on the plus 15 level and the upper roof and are operated by speed controllers.
Air Conditioning is provided during regular business hours (6:00am – 6:00pm on weekdays, and 9:00am – 5:00pm on Saturdays). It can be arranged outside regular business hours provided that Tillyard Management Inc. receives 24-hours advance written notice.
In order to increase the efficiency of the chilled water system, a separate condenser water loop has been installed to supply water to tenant installed computer room air conditioning units. This condenser water loop is supplied by the cooling towers and does not require forced cooling.
To further reduce cost of cooling the building and allowing the start of ‘mechanical cooling’ (chillers) to be delayed until outdoor air reaches higher temperatures, a 4 section, sequentially controlled oversized cooling tower of 1300 tons was installed, thereby increasing the ‘free cooling’ capacity. The two chillers, each originally 535 tons, have been replaced by two higher efficiency 425 ton units with speed control drives. When ‘mechanical cooling’ is required, initially one of the chillers will start. Should the demand require the first chiller to run at more than 80% of capacity, the second chiller will start up. At that time the first and the second chiller will match speed and each will run at half the required demand. While running one chiller on most summer days is sufficient, running both chillers has been found to supply ample chilled water on even the hottest summer day.
All nine boilers (seven dedicated for radiation and two glycol boilers for pre-heating the fresh air supply when required) with a total capacity of 31.5 million BTU in the building’s heating plant have recently been replaced by higher efficiency units. These boilers work to reduce emissions and natural gas consumption as well. The boiler water set point temperature for radiation is continuously reset based on the outside air temperature. Radiation water temperature supplied by the seven boilers is controlled in 14 stages (low/high times seven).
Each tenant floor has eight heating zones which are thermostatically controlled.
Low flush toilets and urinals with sensors have been installed in all bathrooms. Sinks, where possible have been installed with motion sensors and flow restrictors.
An electric water heater has been replaced with a more efficient heat exchanger using boiler water to heat water for the showers in the second floor Health Club.
To reduce waste and for hygienic reasons, electronic paper towel, soap and hand sanitizer dispensers with sensors have been installed in all bathrooms.
Window coating and tinting: Windows are tinted with a coating that welcomes sunlight but rejects heat load. In addition, transparent film has been applied to the inside which also helps reduce heat gain and loss.
Windows are caulked to prevent heat loss.
Installation of meters to monitor tenant’s electricity consumption allows tenants to benefit directly from any energy savings projects they have implemented.
Products used for cleaning are green products.
Electrical receptacles for car heaters in the parking structure are on a 20 minute on/40 minute off timed schedule.
Carpet tiles installed in common areas and tenant’s office space are manufactured using recycled material. This follows the “cradle-to-cradle” design rather than the “cradle-to-grave” design.
Recycling Programs
Tillyard Management Inc. is dedicated to protecting and preserving our environment through the management and continuous review of key environmental and recycling initiatives. By managing with energy and environmental performance in mind, we meet our ultimate goal of providing a safe and healthy work environment for our tenants, guests, clients, service providers and staff.
Tillyard Management’s recycling program consists of separating paper from general waste, and then the paper is recycled off site.
Each desk is provided with a desk-size cardboard box for recycling of paper products, as well as a larger cardboard box to be located by printers, photocopiers and fax machines.
Tenants are responsible for dumping the contents of desk side recycling boxes into the larger recycling boxes located at pre-determined centralized recycling points throughout the office. Cleaning staff is responsible for removing recycled paper.
Items appropriate for desk and large cardboard recycling boxes include:
- Paper products
- Glossy magazines
- Newspapers
- Flyers
- Catalogues
- Envelopes
- Paperback books
- Telephone books
Please remove coil binds before recycling.
If Tenants are interested in recycling their empty bottles and cans they can organize a separate container for collection and request the cleaning staff to remove for recycling or there are several charity groups who will provide you with a bin and will arrange a scheduled pick up of your recyclable beverage containers.
Tillyard Management Inc. is proud to support Planet Coffee Company Ltd. and their program for recycling single serving (Keurig, Flavia, Tassimo) coffee containers.
Planet Coffee Company supplies all their single cup customers with recycling bins at no extra charge and by doing so, have been able to divert single cup coffee waste going to the landfill by 335.000 pounds since 2007.
The collected waste is processed and used to create thermal energy (WTE) for a local company’s power requirements.
For more information on this program and the possible use by your company, please contact Planet Coffee Company through their web site at: www.planetroasters.com
Note: When contacting Planet Coffee Company, special mention should be made of your tenancy in the 715 – 5th Avenue SW building in Calgary.
We have installed compostable buckets in all of the kitchens at 715 5th Avenue to allow our tenants to dispose of organic matter sustainably and to keep food out of our landfills.
Compostable buckets are labelled clearly to help our tenants know what goes where, and they are emptied twice a day, once in the morning and then again in the afternoon.
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