Vista 429 Multi-unit Residential Development

Commissioning
Energy Simulation

A multi-phase project with an engaged developer that contracted TES for a pre-design energy study to investigate different mechanical systems, and proceeded with the highest pay-back system while prioritizing quality envelope construction along with TES commissioning to achieve highest efficiency program incentive.

Service completion: 2021
Scope of services: Energy simulation with design and construction commissioning, meeting requirements of permit and PowerSmart incentive program
Size: 172 suites over 195,000 sq.ft., plus underground parkade
Building systems: Wood-structure and high quality construction complete with airtightness testing, dedicated outdoor air system with exhaust heat recovery, electric suite fan-coils, high efficiency LED lighting throughout, and with occupancy sensors in parkade

Vista 429 was a 3-phase project located in Winnipeg, MB. Vista 429 is nestled on a quiet, tree-lined street in Southdale in South East Winnipeg. This beautiful, community rich area offers a peaceful setting with all the benefits of urban living: restaurants, pharmacy, shopping center and parks. As a resident of this 172 apartment community, there is access to indoor and outdoor private amenities including a lounge, fully equipped gym, furnished guest suite and a 3,300 square foot water feature with cascading waterfalls.

This development obtained funding through the (former) PowerSmart program by Manitoba Hydro, which required energy simulation and commissioning to achieve maximum funding. TES provided the energy modelling and commissioning services for all 3 phases and prepared the final documents for submission to Manitoba Hydro, including the Owner’s Project Requirements, Basis of Design, O&M manuals, final commissioning report, pre-functional test checklists, functional performance checklists, verification of fire alarm, fire suppression and balancing reports.  Energy modelling and commissioning work and documentation underwent significant third-party review, with success.

The developer not only went through the motions of the PowerSmart program, but used each step to its full value.  Early on, TES was tasked to assess the viability of a sophisticated variable-refrigerant-flow system which, while trendy and was being aggressively “sold” in the area at the time, was proven via energy simulation to not justify its capital cost in this climate when compared to a simple electric suite fan-coil system, especially when 1) the owner made significant investment and care in a high-performing, tight envelope so that the fan-coils run minimally, 2) the ventilation is run 24/7, such that investment in excellent exhaust heat recovery efficiency made much more sense, and 3) long-term maintenance was considered with respect to difficulty in getting parts and the likelihood of a complex system having more issues than a simpler system.

Design was done with care, as was construction: the developer saw much value in airtightness testing, employing the local researchers who benchmarked this project within the best 20% in airtightness in its database.  Finally, the high-quality essence of the build was carried through to commissioning where any mis-labelling was corrected, proper drainage was inspected in all coils, and any functional issues were rectified quickly.  No detail was too small to get correct, when carefully considering the long-term maintenance and upkeep of the build.

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