In the past 15 years the University of British Columbia鈥檚 Okanagan campus (UBCO) has rapidly expanded from 12 to 46 buildings. UBCO has always put innovation and energy efficiency first, not only in new construction projects but also when upgrading existing infrastructure. And FortisBC has been there every step of the way, supporting the university in its sustainability goals to reduce its carbon footprint and optimize its energy systems, by providing rebates on energy-efficiency measures and ongoing support, like funding an on-staff thermal energy manager.
Savings that last year after year
In the past two years alone, the university has received more than $240,000 in rebates from FortisBC for installing a chiller, boiler upgrades, LED lighting, ventilation and heat recovery. In total, an annual energy savings of 1,900 gigajoules of natural gas and 1,333,500 kWh of electricity are projected for these projects, which results in a total annual dollar savings of approximately $131,000 for UBCO.
These upgrades have additional benefits as well. 鈥淭he university鈥檚 efforts to reduce energy use by taking advantage of FortisBC鈥檚 rebate programs will mean less pressure on the campus鈥檚 existing district energy system 鈥� delaying the need for capital upgrades,鈥� said Juan Rincon, a FortisBC key account manager.
It takes a champion to move these upgrades along
Colin Richardson, UBCO鈥檚 energy systems manager, and Glen McIntyre, UBCO鈥檚 FortisBC-funded thermal energy manager, have been champions for pursuing and advancing energy efficiency in both new construction and renovation projects at the university.
鈥淭he support for Glen鈥檚 position, as well as all the rebates we鈥檝e received from FortisBC, has significantly increased our ability to implement energy-saving projects,鈥� said Richardson.
A shared commitment to reduce greenhouse gases
Both FortisBC and UBCO are committed to supporting the province of BC鈥檚 climate action goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). To measure its progress, FortisBC created 30BY30, a tangible milestone aimed at reducing its customers鈥� GHGs by 30 per cent by the year 2030. The utility鈥檚 work with UBCO is a win-win for both organizations to achieve their respective goals, and help create a healthier tomorrow for all British Columbians.
Even bigger rebates
Whether you鈥檙e retrofitting or building new, a small commercial customer or a large institution like UBCO, FortisBC has rebates that can help you save energy and money when selecting high-efficiency equipment and products. Now, until Dec. 31, 2021, some of these rebates are even bigger! Discover them all at .
That鈥檚 energy at work.
*Bigger rebates on select upgrades are available until Dec. 31, 2021. Bigger rebates on commercial furnaces are available until March 31, 2021. Participants must be an owner, a long-term leaseholder or a builder/developer. Rebate applications must be submitted within 365 days of the purchase date of products. Only available to FortisBC commercial natural gas and electricity customers and commercial municipal electricity customers of Penticton, Summerland, Grand Forks and Nelson Hydro. Additional terms and conditions apply.
