Building air leakage testing can be part of the overall building envelope commissioning; or as individual applications to meet clients' specific needs. This presentation will explain the techniques for air leakage and enclosure integrity testing as well as how they fit into to the bigger building commissioning picture. Case studies

The benefits of building commissioning are obvious. It is also obvious that six months later many of the benefits can be lost. Ongoing commissioning is a program that works to ensure the performance of the building is maintained even after the commissioner leaves. Through the electronic collection of operating data the program evaluates system performance and records, advises and corrects to maintain system efficiency. Energy performance and occupant comfort are two of the prime goals of an ongoing

 

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Enbridge is committed to helping you reduce your energy consumption and improve your bottom line. Whether you're designing a new building or retrofitting your existing assets, they offer free services and financial incentives designed to help commercial customers make the most of the energy they consume. 

 

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As we roll into March (already??), I have been in the fortunate position of being involved with ASHRAE for the last 12 months.  From the Student Night/Career Fair back in downtown Toronto in 2014, where I was encouraged by my teacher to dive in, introduce myself and immerse myself in all things ASHRAE for the purpose of professional development.

 

As a recent graduate from Seneca College's Energy Management - Built Environment program, I have been experiencing ASHRAE as a newcomer to the industry and have wanted to offer my experiences to up and coming members through the membership segment of this gazette.  However, this viewpoint I believe applies to everybody here with the chapter.  As Alan Porter mentioned back in October, the opportunity to volunteer with the chapter is one worth taking.  As a rookie to the field, I believed it would help me professionally and develop a contact/network base here in Toronto to help me grow as a young professional.

 

Along the way, I have had the opportunity to meet many of our members here at the monthly dinner meetings and discuss how they got involved and how long they have been with the chapter.  These stories, I pass on to student groups that I've had the privilege to speak with alongside YEA Chair Michael and Student Activities Chair Alekhya.  I hope to get the opportunity to discuss with the students the benefits of ASHRAE's smart start program in the coming months as they finish their studies this semester.  Should you have student interns or summer students with you, I would encourage you to promote the value of being with ASHRAE and with the Toronto Chapter.

 

I have also had the opportunity to learn from other chapters at the Chapter Regional Conference and while attending centralised training in Atlanta with society.  Opportunities where I have grown within the chapter and work with talented and passionate people.  I look forward to sharing my stories with other members in San Diego this month at the Leadership Workshop hosted by ASHRAE.

 

With ASHRAE's commitment to leadership and investment in its volunteers, I strongly encourage you to offer some of your time to the chapter.  Whether you are a rookie or a full member, the opportunity to help out and keep the chapter strong as well as your professional development.  Should you wish to volunteer your time, please reach out to myself or any member of the team.  It sounds a little cliché to say "You won't regret it", but I cannot express enough just how much volunteering has done for me in the chapter, the industry and for myself.

Membership Committee Chair 2014-2015

ASHRAE Conference From A Student's Perspective

 

 

ASHRAE Toronto Student Members (from left to right) - Emilia Lundh, Abishek Khurana, Cassandra Heide, Noor Alhuda, Melissa Yake, Sarah DeCouto and Lucas Melo 

 

Three years ago, I had never heard of ASHRAE.  Being comfortable in a building was as simple as having a working thermostat, furnace and air-conditioner. When I came back to school as a Sustainable Energy and Building Technology Student, I learned about how complex our mechanical systems really are.  There is a very precise science employed to ensure comfort and energy efficiency and I became determined to learn more about it by joining our local ASHRAE Student Branch.  At the time, I wasn't really aware of the scope of the organization.  In fact, it wasn't until last month that I really caught a glimpse of how international ASHRAE really is.  It was gratifying to see the passion for ASHRAE in members from all over the world.  There were students from Indonesia and during the keynote presentation I sat next to someone from the town in England where my grandmother had lived before she immigrated to Canada.  And we were all connected by our knowledge and interest in mechanical systems.  I'd never imagined having so much in common with this wide diversity of backgrounds.  And yet there we were, connected by ASHRAE.  I was honoured to be a part of the legacy that ASHRAE has left in the world since its inception.

 

While at the conference, I took every chance I could to attend seminars and further expand on my knowledge of building systems.  I was particularly interested in energy efficiency and water conservation. I learned deep energy retrofits, load shifting with supplementary renewable systems and water use reduction strategies used for landscaping.

 

Overall, I wish I had been able to split into two people in order to attend all the interesting seminars that were available.  It certainly generated a desire to continue my involvement with ASHRAE and come back to a Winter Conference in the future.

 

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank the ASHRAE Toronto Chapter for their support in sending students down to participate in the Winter Conference year after year.  I've heard great things from students in past years, and I was not disappointed.  It was a great chance to feel a part of the community of building science professionals that exists because of ASHRAE. Many thanks from the Humber College ASHRAE Student Branch!

 

Humber College Student Branch President, 2014-2015