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Recommissioning Government of Yukon buildings

By bkcross
Alexander MacDonald Lodge

Most modern buildings rely on an automated control system. This system’s job is to make sure:

  • equipment, such as ventilation systems, runs properly; and
  • the building’s inhabitants are comfortable.

These systems are programmed to turn on equipment when it’s needed and turn it off when it’s not. They provide heat to the building when it’s cold and increase ventilation when the air is stale. Building automated control systems are a key component to making sure the indoor space is:

  • comfortable; and
  • energy efficient.

The system’s programs are like our bodies’ nervous system, which tells us which muscles to use and when. And just like our bodies need regular check-ups, so too do building control systems. Check-ups are critical to make sure everything’s running properly.

According to Natural Resources Canada, recommissioning “is a key process that can help existing buildings operate as expected and meet the current facility requirements”.

Recommissioning can correct inefficiencies such as:

  • turning off equipment that does not need to be on; or
  • avoiding situations where the heater and air conditioning are running at the same time.

These small fixes can add up to big energy savings and carbon reductions!

In 2019, the Government of Yukon partnered with Natural Resources Canada to recommission:

  • Yukon University in Whitehorse; and
  • Alexander MacDonald Lodge in Dawson City.

Tuning up these buildings provided an opportunity to address the ongoing challenges with the building control systems. We worked with Johnson Control to carry out the recommissioning for both buildings.

Yukon University

Yukon University’s Ayamdigut campus is located in Whitehorse. It’s one of the highest energy users in our portfolio. This is mostly due to the building’s large size.

The aging control system has been partially upgraded over the past decade. However, it’s also experienced varying degrees of wear and tear. Johnson Control’s recommissioning report identified many opportunities to:

  • resolve operational issues;
  • save energy; and
  • improve occupant comfort.

These recommendations were not implemented as part of the project, though we plan to pursue improvements in the future.

Alexander MacDonald Lodge

Alexander MacDonald Lodge, built in 2012, is a care facility in Dawson City. Johnson Controls found that the building was not running efficiently since construction. This resulted in notable challenges for building maintenance staff.

We worked with Johnson Controls to identify and resolve many issues. This improved the building’s performance so much that it’s on track to achieve its anticipated energy savings of over $13,000 per year!

Read the recommissioning reports and case studies on the Yukon Green Infrastructure Program’s resource library.

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