Town of Halton HIlls - LEED Silver-Acton Branch Library

The Town of Halton Hills will replace the old Acton Branch of the Halton Hills Public Library with a new, 850-square-metre, high-performing sustainable building. The new library will be universally accessible and will be built to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification. The town has completed a study to evaluate the performance of various heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC) systems based on energy efficiency, installation and operating costs. The building envelope, HVAC systems and lighting will be designed to achieve a minimum annual energy savings of 46 per cent (or 346 Gigajoules) compared to a Model National Energy Code for Buildings (MNECB) reference building. The new facility will feature a geothermal system (a ground source heat pump) for heating and cooling. The building will be oriented to make full use of sun exposure during winter months and to maximize the use of daylight. Other energy efficiency measures include air-tight envelope construction, thermally efficient exterior walls, a perimeter-to-glazing ratio of 50 per cent, light sensors, and energy recovery ventilation units to capture the energy from outgoing air. The town will landscape the site to reduce the heat-island effect. Water-conservation measures will include bioswales (landscape elements to manage stormwater runoff) and water-efficient toilets and fixtures. The facility will include bicycle storage and showers to promote bicycle commuting to work. The energy-efficiency and water conservation measures will reduce operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions significantly. The new library will have more space for collections, computer stations, reading, study, programming and community meetings. Green technology will be highlighted and used as an educational opportunity.

(Project description from original funding application)