PROJECT DESCRIPTION

MAT 4Site Engineers was retained to provide a feasibility study and subsequent design for the replacement of heating and domestic hot water boilers in all five buildings at the Golden Gate Apartment Complex. The First Phase of project included the preparation of a feasibility study with 5 different options which included construction budgets, anticipated energy savings over a 20 year period (gas and electricity), and project payback for each option. The client chose to proceed with our recommended option for design. The total project value was approximately $1.5M and was completed in October 2013.

Each building consisted of 5 boilers in total. Three for heating and two for domestic hot water. New condensing boilers were installed to replace the original atmospheric boilers. All new pumps were installed and variable speed drives were included on the heating system pumps.

The domestic water piping was modified to cold feed the domestic hot water boilers in an effort to achieve the maximum efficiency from each condensing boiler.

As part of the project, a new building automation system was installed in each building. All 5 buildings terminate in one central location so the property manager has full control of each building. Full commissioning was completed to ensure the boiler plant and automation system is optimized to achieve maximum energy savings.

An important part of the project involved the installation of the domestic water boilers to avoid any disruption to the tenants. The boilers were installed in stages. The new piping was installed without the final tie-ins, one boiler was installed in place and connected while the existing boiler remained in operation. Once the new boiler was operational the final tie-in was made and the existing boiler removed. There was no disruption of hot water.

Services

Project services included energy modeling, feasibility planning, conceptual design, detailed engineering & design, construction review, contract administration and commissioning.