Redefining the Anatomies of Buildings

Our projects reflect an ongoing commitment to sustainable design – design that is commercially viable, optimizes energy consumption, and reduces the building’s carbon footprint.

Our Three Cornerstones

Energy Management

Energy management has always been a fundamental component of sound operating practices, and this extends directly to sustainability. Every day, we are working with manufacturers to learn and understand which materials and processes represent the most commercially viable option, translating to increasingly innovative and current solutions for our clients. At the heart of this lies the building automation system (BAS), the key component to any building’s successful energy management. Be it hot water, steam, natural gas, hydro, or solar powered, water and energy consumption holistically determine the efficiency of a building, regardless of source. By carefully integrating and monitoring a project’s mechanical and electrical components, energy consumption can be minimized.

Energy Modeling

Energy modeling has become an indispensable tool in determining the empirically best and most cost-effective solutions when considering a building’s anatomy. At Opresnik Engineering Consultants Inc., we utilize the latest modeling software to predict consumption costs, energy efficiencies, and assist with life cycle cost analysis to provide an optimized, value-engineered result. Energy modeling can be used effectively during the design process to predict annual energy consumption, with multiple iterations serving to refine the design to maximize energy efficiency. Likewise, the application of energy audits and subsequent modeling can be utilized to implement operational changes and equipment upgrades in existing buildings to reduce energy consumption.

Commissioning

Commissioning entails a systematic process of verifying that all building systems perform interactively and in accordance with the consultant’s design intent and the owner’s requirements for operation and maintenance. Achieved through an integrative design process, commissioning commences in the initial phases by documenting the desired objectives, continuing through construction, acceptance, and the warranty period with tangible performance verification. While the pre-functional and functional testing of mechanical and electrical equipment is imperative, the commissioning of the building automation system (BAS) is paramount to the successful completion of any project. Opresnik Engineering Consultants Inc. is an active member of the Building Commissioning Association (BCxA), and has long-standing agreements with Drycore in Quebec and Sundawn in Vancouver for additional staff support as required for site visits and commissioning of projects in Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta. All other locations are served exclusively in-house by OECI, and OECI remains the lead contact both on and off-site for the aforementioned projects in QC, BC, and AB. with Drycore and Sundawn providing secondary support.

Other Services

OECI is well-versed in the areas of re- and retro-commissioning, which represent excellent sustainable solutions for pre-existing buildings and projects.

Re-commissioning involves examining the existing building components and effectively restores the operation of the building to its original design, verifying its functionality and re-certifying its energy status. Retro-commissioning identifies opportunities for cost savings and improved energy efficiency in existing structures, offering a more affordable option that can be implemented without starting construction from scratch.

Why Us?

Here at OECI, we are committed to creating a sustainable future with green building practices. Since our founding in 2006, we have continuously pushed the boundaries surrounding sustainability, expanding steadily since. 25-plus years of experience related to heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, refrigeration, and building automation systems allows OECI to be a forerunner in fields ranging from design and conceptualization to onsite commissioning. As a member of both the Canadian Green Building Council and the United States Green Building Council, OECI has certified many projects spanning both organizations and countries. LEED projects and facilitation are another key cornerstone of our company, constituting a major part of ensuring initiatives are sustainable and efficient. Moreover, Net Zero and Zero Carbon projects are both quintessential elements of our portfolio, helping quell the global carbon and climate crises. Currently, OECI is facilitating projects under the CaBGC Zero Carbon Building Program.