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.

 

    • 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.

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    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.