Decarbonization, Ontario, HVAC Service

Turning Obstacles into Opportunities: How HTS Overcame Size Constraints for a Chiller Retrofit at U of T

Alexander Varga | Posted on Nov 20, 2024 6:00:00 AM

The University of Toronto’s new Academic Wood Tower presents a unique opportunity to incorporate sustainable heating by adding a heat recovery chiller to its basement mechanical room. This chiller will play a critical role in the university’s decarbonization efforts by upgrading waste heat from the building’s chilled water system. However, the chiller’s substantial size posed a challenge: it was simply too large to be rigged through the basement doors and existing slab openings.

 

Solutions in Action

HTS Service and Logistics were instrumental in tackling this complex project:

  • Logistics: Our logistics team managed the arrival of the 18,000 lb chiller at our Concord warehouse, ensuring secure handling and storage.
  • Expert Disassembly and Labeling: The HTS Service team disassembled the chiller with detailed labelling and preparation to meet on-site space limitations.

 

Image of an AERMEC Chiller arriving at the HTS Warehouse.
Image of an AERMEC Chiller on a forklift entering the HTS Warehouse.
Image of an AERMEC Chiller inside the HTS Warehouse.
Image of an AERMEC Chiller being disassembled by HTS Service Staff.
Image of an AERMEC Chiller being disassembled by HTS Service Staff.
Image of an AERMEC Chiller being disassembled by HTS Service Staff.
Image of an AERMEC Chiller being disassembled by HTS Service Staff.
Image of an AERMEC Chiller Loaded onto the truck to be delivered to U of T.
  • Seamless Transportation: The disassembled chiller was carefully loaded onto a flatbed truck and transported to the university, where it was ready for crane offloading.
  • Collaboration for Installation: Partnering with the mechanical contractor, HTS rigged each component into the tight mechanical room space and reassembled it in place.

Image of an AERMEC Chiller arriving at U of T.
Image of an AERMEC Chiller being unloaded at U of T.
Image of parts of the AERMEC Chiller being lowered into the basement mechanical room.
Image of parts of the AERMEC Chiller being lowered into the basement mechanical room.
Image of parts of the AERMEC Chiller being lowered into the basement mechanical room.
Image of an AERMEC Chiller being re-assembled by HTS Service.
Image of a re-assembled AERMEC Chiller in the basement mechanical room of U of T.

 

Despite the restricted entry points and confined space, the heat recovery chiller was successfully installed in the basement of the Academic Wood Tower, advancing U of T’s sustainability goals and enhancing the building's heating efficiency.

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