Following the success of EndoTherm in Western Canada in 2017, the University of the Fraser Valley installed EndoTherm, in all applicable buildings, at both of the Chilliwack and Abbotsford campuses, in February 2018. The performance at the two locations were reviewed after 12 months showing a 15.45% reduction in boiler natural gas consumption and greenhouse gas emissions at the Canada Education Park in Chilliwack and a 10.37% reduction in Abbotsford. The combined savings for the two sites is in excess of $32,000 per annum.

GOAL:
TO IMPROVE HEAT TRANSFER AND INCREASE ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN ALL HYDRONIC HEATING SYSTEMS

Background
The energy management team at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) reviewed smaller scale EndoTherm pilots conducted by fellow FORTIS Energy Managers in British Columbia including Vancouver Airport (https://beic.ca/case-studies/vancouver-airport-lowers-natural-gas-consumption-by-17-32-with-new-boiler-water-additive/), University of British Columbia, and City of Coquitlam. Instead of running a small a scale pilot, UFV decided the

best way to understand EndoTherm was to use it campus wide.

About the technology
EndoTherm is a low concentration, water additive for boilers, designed to lower surface tension of the system water to improve heat transfer. By improving water’s ability to transfer heat throughout the building, EndoTherm creates a condition that is optimal for efficiency gains within the HVAC system.

ENERGY SAVINGS
12.91%

DEMAND SAVINGS
3,488 GJ

Buildings hit temperature setpoints quicker and boilers are required to run less frequently to maintain heat, therefore saving significant amounts of natural gas and lowering GHG emissions. EndoTherm is an economical way to maximize the efficiency of the existing system without system downtime or large capital investment. The average installation reduces energy consumption by 15% with a full return of investment in 9 to 18 months. EndoTherm is thermally stable, without degradation for up to nine years in any closed loop boiler or chiller system, including Commercial, Industrial and Residential applications.

Technology Review
The performance of EndoTherm at UFV was reviewed 12 months after EndoTherm was installed, allowing for a full heating season of data to be collected. To evaluate energy savings, a two-year heating energy baseline was weather normalized using Heating Degree Days (HDD) from the weather station at Abbotsford Airport. Efficiency performance was determined following the guidelines of the International Protocol for Measurement & Verification of Performance (IPMVP) which

compares the predicted consumption based of the previous baseline to the actual consumption achieved in the post install period. The University of Fraser Valley’s EndoTherm installation resulted in a reduction of 3,488 GJ of natural gas, with an operational savings of over $32,000 per year. The reduction in natural gas consumption is a direct reduction in carbon emissions, saving over 170 Metric Tonnes of CO2e which is equivalent to the emissions of 35 cars per annum.

Incentives and Payback
Most boiler applications can expect a full payback on investment within the first two years. Some Utilities offer custom energy solution programs which would lower the payback period even further. These programs usually require a baseline energy audit to determine the systems energy consumption and a post installation energy review confirms the efficiency improvement achieved. Compared to boiler replacements and other major retrofits, EndoTherm’s ease of installation and quick payback make it the next low hanging fruit for building efficiency gains.

"EndoTherm was installed into our Abbotsford and Chilliwack campus buildings in early 2018. As a result, we’ve seen a significant reduction in our natural gas consumption and associated carbon emissions. We’re pleased with our expected 18 month return on investment."

– Blair McFarlane, Energy Manager,
Facilities and Project Management,
University of the Fraser Valley

For more information
www.pacechem.com/endotherm

Will Wilson
Development and Sustainability Manager
will@pacechem.com