By: Melissa Kirkaldie, RCM – Property Manager, Waterloo Region
From the WB Condo Connection, Volume 7, Issue 4
No matter the size of your Condominium there are ways to save money on utilities, whether it be checking for leaking plumbing fixtures or installing more efficient mechanical equipment. Another cost saving measure to consider would be to complete an LED retrofit. Depending on the building, it may be possible to gain significant savings with a considerably low investment.
A low rise Condominium building located in Kitchener, Ontario consisting of 46 units, did just that. The project completed at this building was relatively simple compared to larger scale projects that have taken place at other Condos. The Corporation knew that they would be eligible for the incentive program that would provide them with a rebate once the retrofit was completed, on top of the anticipated energy savings.
The interior common area light fixtures were compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL’s) which were replaced with LED’s. The exterior light fixtures were also changed to LED bulbs by an electrician. To save even more money, the Corporation got resident volunteers involved to install the interior bulbs.
In the first year following the LED retrofit this Corporation was able to decrease their annual hydro budget by a substantial 18.8%.
The Condominium spent about $4,500 on the supplies required for this project. The rebate that was received from ‘Save on Energy’ was about $1,500. The payback periods for both the interior and the exterior lighting were both under two years. The contractor who was hired to complete the retrofit estimated the annual energy savings at almost $2,000.
In the first year following the LED retrofit this Corporation was able to decrease their annual hydro budget by a substantial 18.8%.
This project is proof that you do not need a large investment to change how energy efficient a building can be. A budget decrease this considerable may be in the future of your building.
‘The savings realized are not only immediate, they will continue to benefit the Corporation’s budget’s bottom line as energy costs rise.’ – Board of Directors, W.C.C. #244
For more information on ways your Condo can qualify for rebates visit www.saveonenergy.ca.