Environment | July 18, 2018
Mississauga Civic Centre has been awarded ENERGY STAR® industry certification for 2018 by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). This is the first year that the certification is available for facilities in Canada.
NRCan recognizes the most energy efficient Canadian facilities with ENERGY STAR certification. These facilities can display the ENERGY STAR symbol, similar to what people may see on appliances and electronics in the marketplace.
“ENERGY STAR certification for the Civic Centre demonstrates our commitment to sustainability,” said Bonnie Crombie, Mayor of Mississauga. “I am excited and proud of our team and the energy efficiencies we have achieved. Every opportunity to save energy and cut down on consumption helps reduce the impact on our environment and saves money. It makes good environmental and business sense.”
To become ENERGY STAR certified, applicants are required to benchmark their building’s energy usage data to compare against other similar type buildings. They must achieve a score of at least 75 out of 100 and have their data verified by a professional engineer. The Civic Centre scored 89 and was rated 88 per cent more efficient than comparable facilities.
“Achieving ENERGY STAR certification for 2018 tells us we are on the right track,” said Gary Kent, Commissioner, Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer. “It enables us to measure our success using a Canadian model that is valid and relevant. Every small improvement makes a difference and I am pleased that the City has achieved this certification in the first year it is offered in Canada.”
The Civic Centre has reduced its energy use over the past six years by 17 per cent. That’s the equivalent energy use of 2,000 LED street lamps for one year.
A real-time energy dashboard installed at the Civic Centre in 2015 provides staff and visitors with daily, weekly and monthly energy and water use stats to raise awareness of the importance of energy conservation.
The Civic Centre is ENERGY STAR certified for 2018 and the plan is to reapply each year. City staff are also considering applying for other facilities such as arenas.
Other energy-efficient improvements staff have implemented across the City include installing LED lighting, upgrading building automation systems, streamlining arena ice surface maintenance processes and installing solar panels on one of the City’s outdoor community pools.
About the Civic Centre
Located at 300 City Centre Drive, the Mississauga Civic Centre is home to the City’s municipal offices and underground parking, Central Library, Celebration Square and ice rink, a conservatory and a wedding chapel.
About ENERGY STAR Canada
ENERGY STAR Canada is a voluntary partnership between the Government of Canada and organizations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors to promote energy efficiency.
The ENERGY STAR® symbol is the internationally recognized and trusted mark of high efficiency. The symbol means that a product, new home, building or industrial facility is certified as energy efficient.