Frequently Ask Questions
Building & Energy Management
A BCA is a comprehensive evaluation of a building’s physical condition, identifying necessary repairs, maintenance needs, and potential upgrades to improve performance and safety.
Building decarbonization involves reducing carbon emissions from buildings through energy efficiency measures, renewable energy integration, and sustainable design practices.
A carbon tax is a fee imposed on the burning of carbon-based fuels. It incentivizes businesses to reduce their carbon emissions and invest in cleaner energy alternatives.
Community retrofits involve large-scale upgrades to buildings and infrastructure within a community to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
An energy audit is an assessment of a building’s energy use to identify opportunities for energy savings. It is crucial for improving energy efficiency and reducing operational costs.
ECMs are actions taken to reduce energy consumption, such as upgrading lighting systems, improving insulation, and installing energy-efficient equipment.
Energy consultants analyze energy use, recommend efficiency improvements, and develop strategies to reduce energy consumption and costs in buildings and industrial processes.
Energy data provides insights into energy usage patterns, helping identify inefficiencies and opportunities for energy-saving measures, thereby enhancing sustainability efforts.
Energy efficiency reduces energy consumption, lowers operational costs, decreases greenhouse gas emissions, and contributes to overall sustainability.
Energy management involves monitoring, controlling, and optimizing energy use within a building or organization to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
Energy modeling is a simulation process used to predict a building’s energy performance, helping design more energy-efficient and sustainable buildings.
Energy retrofits are modifications to existing buildings aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption, often involving upgrades to lighting, HVAC systems, and insulation.
An energy study is a detailed analysis of energy use in a facility, identifying inefficiencies and recommending improvements to enhance energy performance.
A net zero strategy aims to balance the amount of greenhouse gases emitted with the amount removed from the atmosphere, achieving net zero carbon emissions.
Programs & Certifications
ASHRAE energy audits are evaluations of energy use in buildings conducted according to the standards set by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), identifying opportunities for energy savings.
A BC Hydro feasibility study evaluates the potential energy savings and economic benefits of proposed energy efficiency measures for a building or facility.
BOMA Best is a certification program for sustainable building management in Canada, recognizing buildings that meet high standards for energy and environmental performance.
BOMA Best 4.0 is the latest version of the BOMA Best certification program, incorporating updated criteria for assessing and improving building sustainability.
ECDM Ontario stands for Energy Conservation and Demand Management in Ontario, a program aimed at reducing energy consumption and managing demand in the province.
A GRESB submission is the process by which real estate companies report their sustainability performance to the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark, helping them benchmark and improve their ESG practices.
IREE (Investor Ready Energy Efficiency) Certification is a designation for energy efficiency projects that meet rigorous standards, making them more attractive to investors.
MLI Select is a program that provides financing options for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in buildings, helping improve their environmental performance.
Green Funding & Incentives
Energy incentives are programs that offer financial support or rebates for implementing energy-efficient measures, helping businesses reduce costs and improve sustainability.
Green funding refers to financial resources provided for projects that have positive environmental impacts, such as renewable energy installations and energy efficiency upgrades.
Sustainability incentives are financial or regulatory rewards provided to individuals or businesses for adopting sustainable practices and technologies, such as tax credits for renewable energy installations.
Incentive support includes financial assistance, rebates, and other benefits provided to encourage the adoption of energy-efficient and sustainable technologies and practices.
Retrofit incentives are financial rewards or rebates provided to encourage the upgrading of buildings to more energy-efficient systems and technologies.
These are always changing based on funding availability. To learn more, contact SPG directly to see how we can support your business.
Additional Sustainability Terms
ESG stands for Environmental, Social, and Governance. It is a set of standards for a company’s operations that socially conscious investors use to screen potential investments. ESG is crucial as it helps ensure that companies operate responsibly and sustainably.
GRESB is a benchmark that assesses the sustainability performance of real estate portfolios and assets. It benefits companies by providing a framework for measuring, managing, and improving their ESG performance.
ISO 50001 is an international standard for energy management systems. It provides a framework for organizations to manage and improve their energy performance systematically.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified projects meet rigorous sustainability criteria established by the U.S. Green Building Council, demonstrating excellence in green building.
A LEED certified building has been designed, constructed, and operated using strategies aimed at improving performance across key sustainability metrics, such as energy savings, water efficiency, and CO2 emissions reduction.
Sustainable development is the practice of meeting current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own, balancing economic growth, environmental protection, and social equity.
Sustainable projects focus on minimizing environmental impact, conserving resources, and promoting long-term ecological balance. They are vital for ensuring a sustainable future.
A sustainability strategy is a comprehensive plan that integrates sustainable practices into an organization’s operations to achieve long-term environmental, social, and economic goals.