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Thermal Gradient Header (TGH) technology from Thermenex. MCW's current work for the University of Calgary's Energy Efficiency and Heat Recovery Initiative. Dual CorePlus Energy recovery system from Tempeff. O C T O B E R 2 0 2 0 | 43 Lessons From COVID-19 The pandemic shines a light on the benefits of today's mechanical and HVAC systems by NATALIE BRUCKNER W hile the mechani- cal and HVAC sector was impacted at the beginning of the year as a result of COVID- 19 measures, activity started to rise again in July and is expected to continue into the foreseeable future, according to the experts. "Obviously, the pandemic is a big change for everyone, but a somewhat unexpected change for our sector," says Sheldon Samborsky, team lead, mechani- cal at Williams Engineering. "Clients and the public are now much more aware and interested in the role HVAC plays in building air quality and our safety. Whether it is to plan a return to work in a building or just to improve the conditions in their own homes where we suddenly have to spend much more time, the sudden growth in awareness surrounding HVAC systems has been frankly astounding." Samborsky adds that the challenge now is figur- ing out how to capitalize on this interest to influence how people think about their interactions with HVAC systems and what they desire from those HVAC systems. Clients are also showing interest in energy effi- cient design choices, and Samborsky explains that an increasing number are pushing consultants to demonstrate life cycle efficiencies of equipment and systems as a way to evaluate options during design. "This has been done for some time with major institutional clients but is spreading to smaller non- institutional clients as well. To me this is an exciting change that may mean more effort for consultants, and ultimately better design outcomes and better energy efficiency in HVAC systems." One project that showcases the capabilities of Williams Engineering is the new sports centre in Edmonton, the Coronation Community Recreation Sports Centre. It will house a wood cycling track that must be kept at proper humidity and temperature levels to be used safely. "The challenge is creating a stable indoor atmosphere despite what may be hap- pening outdoors. Using a high-efficiency outdoor air energy recovery core, a chilled water dehumidifi- cation, and waste heat recovery coils the ventilation systems will cool and dehumidify air during the summer months and ensure the track and the sport centre remain comfortable. The recovered energy systems used for dehumidification will reduce con- sumption dramatically in what is typically a energy intensive process." James Furlong, partner at MCW Hemisphere Ltd., agrees that the pandemic has had an interest- ing impact on the mechanical and HVAC sector as clients look for answers as to the benefits of body temperature scanning equipment, and air and U V filtration technology. "We are getting inquiries for airports, offices, and schools, but it is very early on in our understanding and more research is needed. "The jury is still out on whether HVAC will have a meaningful impact on things when it comes to COVID-19, but it hasn't been ruled out. There is a lot of tire kicking at this point as a lot of property managers are trying to figure out what's real and reasonable, especially if there is a second wave of the pandemic. It comes down to a discussion of risk management and cost." Furlong says that despite the pandemic being top of everyone's mind, the focus on reducing green- house gas and carbon emissions seems to have increased and MCW is being brought to the table early on in discussions, especially when it comes to education projects and federal stimulus spending. One project MCW is currently working on is the $10-million retrofit work on the University of Calgary. MCW Custom Energy Solutions (MCW CES) was chosen as the energy engineering partner for the second phase of the University of Calgary's Energy Efficiency and Heat Recovery Initiative. The Initiative seeks to reduce campus GHG emis- sions across the University's Main and Foothills campuses through a combination of mechanical and electrical system retrofits, HVAC system retro-com- missioning, and Building Automation System Controls upgrades in research, laboratory, and teaching spaces. "One of the energy aspects we are trying to fig- ure out now with regards to the impact of COVID-19 is how to establish a credible baseline for measur- ing energy savings in nearly empty buildings with increased fresh air being delivered. It's a weird anomaly," he says. Another area of interest that MCW is seeing in Calgary is an uptick of interest in underfloor air dis- tribution and displacement ventilation, particularly in offices. However it is still too soon to understand if this will be beneficial when it relates to preventing the virus from spreading. Looking ahead, Furlong is positive that the indus- try will continue to grow, especially with the help from Government incentives and if interest rates stay low, bringing more demand from the multi- family dwelling sector. When it comes to systems and technology, the sector continues to impress with its innovations. Over at Tempeff in Manitoba, the increasing regu- latory demand for high-performing ERVs, in some cases upwards of 80 percent energy efficiency, has seen a growing demand for its equipment that pro- vides up to 90 percent energy efficiency. Mechanical & HVAC Systems