Case Study: University of Western Ontario
London, Ontario, Canada
Delta Partner: Durell Controls
Background
Founded in 1878, the University of Western Ontario is one of Canada’s oldest universities. Today it is home to approximately 3,500 full time faculty and staff and approximately 30,000 undergraduate students. Located along the Thames River in London, Ontario (200 kilometres west of Toronto), Western offers more than 400 different majors, minors and specializations, with support for research projects totaling more than $200 million a year.
Unique problem to solve
More than 130 years old, the University of Western Ontario campus has buildings decades old as well as state-of-the-art LEED certified structures. Twenty years ago the project was undertaken to convert the campus-wide pneumatic controls to electric. More recently, the task was to install an Internet network. In the intervening period, the school sought to upgrade more of its control infrastructure each year.
System solution
Working with Delta Controls, Western adapted a BACnet system that was able to integrate both HVAC and certain lighting controls across the campus. Delta worked closely with the school’s facility managers to develop customized solutions. For instance, Delta designed its control panels to match the same footprint as those they were replacing, saving a great deal of time and energy during installation.
Results
Acting Director of Facilities Engineering George Qubty reports that Delta Controls have been either retrofitted or newly installed in 53 of the 80 buildings on campus, with more being converted each year. Delta’s products have been responsible for easier LEED certification for the newest buildings on campus. Controls Systems Specialist Dan Larkin estimates that university has saved 20% in energy costs in the running of the older buildings on campus. He also marvels at the durability of Delta products. “Some of our panels were installed 20 years ago and they’re working fine,” he says. “But being Delta products, there’s no reason that they wouldn’t.”
What they’re saying at the University of Western Ontario
On comfort
“Using an integrated system like Delta’s is so much faster than getting a mechanic to the site. We can take care of any problem right from our workstation before it gets out of hand until the mechanic can get there. Students and faculty can make requests for specific rooms at specific times and we can set room conditions ahead of time.”
Dan Larkin, Control Systems Specialist
On sustainability
“The Delta system is very adaptable to the LEED certification process. Commissioning points is easily achieved with their digital controls. Documentation is so much easier.”
George Qubty, Acting Director of Facilities Engineering
On longevity
“Some of our panels were installed 20 years old and they’re working fine. And there’s no reason that they wouldn’t.”
Dan Larkin, Control Systems Specialist
On technology
“For us, the best part about the BACnet solution is that we can service it and program it ourselves. So service remains in house, costs are contained and we can prioritize our own issues.”
Dan Larkin, Control Systems Specialist
About Delta Controls:
Since its inception, Delta Controls has taken a single approach to business: do what it takes to do the job right, all the time, every time. That’s why we offer the most interoperable BACnet platform in the industry. And designed our own HVAC, lighting and access systems to be fully integrated and operated from a single workstation. We pride ourselves on our easy-to-use graphic interface and customizable software. Simply put, we do it right.