Since opening its doors in 2008, the North Vancouver City Library has become a key public gathering place for residents and a cornerstone of the city’s drive toward environmental sustainability.
One of the first institutional buildings to be connected to Lonsdale Energy, the award-winning, LEED Gold certified building also produces energy for the community energy system.
The 36,000-sq. ft. building is equipped with rooftop solar panels to generate renewable energy for Lonsdale Energy to provide heat for the library and other connected buildings. The solar water heating panels supplement about 20% of the building’s energy use during sunny days.
With conservation in mind, the library incorporates other energy-saving measures:
Water-to-water heat pump - The building’s heat pump is connected to a geoexchange system. It uses the ground below the parkade as a repository for excess heat in order to cool the building in an energy-efficient manner.
Dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) - This type of system provides dedicated, fresh air ventilation based on CO2 and temperature sensors throughout the building.
Solar shades - Roller shades on the south and north ends of the building and the fritted glass windows eliminate 75% of solar heat gain, substantially reducing the cooling load inside the building.
North Vancouver City Library website: www.nvcl.ca