The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board covers 75,000 km2 and provides education services to over 5000 students.

The KPDSB has 27 schools and training facilities and 15 teacherages (combined schools and living quarters), with a total area of 98,977.505 m2 (1,065,385 sq. ft.) in 12 communities. As part of its commitment to creating greener schools the KPDSB has partnered with MCW – an Energy Services Company – to undertake energy upgrade projects in a number of these facilities.

Known as Energy Management Service Contracting (EMSC) this partnership provides the KPDSB with a smart, affordable and increasingly common way to make building improvements that save energy and money.

Why EMSC?

Energy management service contracting (EMSC), provides tangible economic, environmental and social benefits to owners and occupants of facilities as well as to society at large.

 

An energy management service contract creates sustainable buildings that provide healthy and productive indoor environments at a reduced cost and with reduced impact on our environment. There are manyreasons to choose energy management service contracts.

Improvements without sacrifice
The energy management firm finances all up-front project costs, including engineering, construction, and project management services (EMSC may also proceed if the owner is able to finance it internally). Retrofit expenses are covered by energy cost savings until the end of the contract. Finally, long-term cost savings endure after the EMSC has concluded.

Reduced operating and maintenance costs
New systems and equipment significantly lower a building's energy costs. Many building owners realize energy savings of 15-35%. New, high-quality environmental systems also allow for a substantial reduction in overall maintenance costs. This combination of savings can be reallocated to other areas of the organization.

Better workplaces
By updating or replacing old and obsolete equipment with newer, more efficient technologies, EMSC projects provide the building’s users with:

• Better lighting
• Improved indoor air quality
• Better-controlled room temperatures

A cleaner environment
By installing more efficient technology, retrofit projects help to significantly reduce a facility’s energy consumption and its resulting carbon dioxide (CO2) output. The increased environmental awareness fostered by EMSC projects may encourage facility owners and occupants to adopt other conservation measures.

What are the steps of the EMSC process?

There are five steps in the energy management service contracting process.

	Step 1: Analyze and evaluate Identify and evaluate energy-saving opportunities.
	Step 2: Design and engineer Develop engineering designs and specifications.
	Step 3: Procure and install Order and install equipment.
	Step 4: Monitor and verify Provide long-term energy monitoring and reporting.
	Step 5: Train Train the staff at the facility to operate the new equipment.

 

What are we retrofitting?

Under the KPDSB’s Energy Management Program retrofit projects have now been implemented in 21 school buildings, significantly reducing electricity, natural gas and water consumption.

 

• Beaver Brae
• Crolancia School
• Dryden High School
• Dryden Training & Cultural Centre
• Ear Falls Public School
• Evergreen School
• Golden Learning Centre
• Ignace Public School
• Keewatin Elementary
• Kenora Board Office
• King George VI
• Lakewood School
• Lillian Berg Elementary
• New Prospect Elementary
• Queen Elizabeth High School
• Red Lake District High School
• Red Lake Madsen Elementary
• Savant Lake
• Sioux Mountain Elementary
• Sioux Narrows
• Upsala School
• Valleyview Elementary

How are we saving energy?

We’re saving energy in our school buildings by retrofitting—or changing—a number of systems and by providing training for maintenance and operations staff to operate the new equipment. Here are some examples of our retrofits.

Automated system controls
Automated controls save energy by automatically scheduling energy shutdowns when no one is in the school (nights, weekends) and by “setting back” energy consumption at nighttime. They also set optimum start and stop times for equipment.

Water-saving devices
New washroom devices like ultra-low flow toilets and shower-heads, automatic control for urinal flush tanks and faucet flow controllers all conserve water.

Did you know?
The Energy Management Program in our schools will save enough fresh water to fill 1.5 Olympic swimming pools each year.

Improved doors and windows
Installing new energy-efficient doors and windows, window caulking, door sweeps and seals and gap sealing all help to increase energy efficiency.

Improved lighting systems
Installing new, energy-efficient system lighting systems replacing old technology with energy efficient options that use less electricity.

Did you know?
The lights in an office building or school can consume up to 40% of its total electricity bill.

Upgraded heating and ventilation systems
Installing new energy efficient heating and ventilation systems that provide improved indoor air quality and better-controlled room temperatures.

Did you know?
The Energy Management Program in our schools will reduce greenhouse gas emissions equal to 1,476 full-sized trees each year.