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  • Thermal mass

What is the Thermal Mass?

The ERC combines concrete’s Thermal Mass with advanced technologies to produce an environmentally-advanced facility that operates at optimal energy efficiency. Concrete’s Thermal Mass — its ability to store energy — helps moderate indoor temperatures, which reduces peak heating and cooling loads and produces energy and construction cost savings — all while making building occupants more comfortable. Thanks to this combination, the ERC’s energy efficiency is 42% better than expected in the original design and has seen additional annual energy savings of 10% since completion in 2006.

How do we use it?

Approximately 4000 m3 of concrete were used within the structure, inside the insulation layer. This heavy mass acts as a thermal battery, slowly storing and releasing heat. This means that the building’s spaces can “coast” through temporary spikes or dips in outdoor temperature without the mechanical systems having to immediately respond. The building uses a radiant heating and cooling system. Some 22km of glycol-containing tubing are embedded in the concrete slab with 3,400 m2 of exposed ceilings acting as radiators to heat in the winter and cool in the summer. This design minimizes cooling loads.

Thermal Mass properties are also used to help condition the fresh air supply through the use of concrete earth tubes. The nine, 20 meter long pre-cast concrete tubes warm winter air and cool summer air, requiring very little mechanical energy for fresh air delivery.

How does it make us more sustainable?

The ERC’s Thermal Mass construction has allowed extremely efficient heating and cooling strategies. The building is heated and cooled through a ground-source heat pump system, reducing our carbon footprint by almost 40% when compared to natural gas-fired heating. This system forms the bones of the building. But concrete was chosen as the construction material of choice not just for its thermal qualities, but also because of its longevity and its comparatively low impact on biodiversity.

Thermal Mass image gallery

Second floor construction
Second floor construction

Concrete ceilings and integral skylights provide space heating and cooling while admitting natural light into the spaces. Note the absence of any artificial light in this 2003 construction photo.

Animal wing construction
Animal wing construction

Structural masonry provides support for the radiant ceilings in the animal ambassador area. This 2010 renovation photo shows the installation of larger windows allowing viewing of animal ambassador spaces and natural light diffusion.

Earth Tube construction
Earth Tube construction

Nine 20 meter long earth tubes are buried 3 meters below ground level. The ground at this depth is a fairly constant temperature. Ventilation air is sucked through these tubes and tempered by the surrounding thermal mass.

Earth Tube construction
Earth Tube construction

Simple sewer pipes grouted together serve as the fresh air plenum, drastically reducing the need for electricity and gas for fresh air conditioning.

Thermal Coils
Thermal Coils

Radiant tubing is secured 6 inches apart throughout the floors and ceilings of the ERC. Warmed glycol will eventually flow through these tubes to heat building spaces.

Thermal measuring
Thermal measuring

Warm concrete radiates infrared heat through the spaces, increasing surface temperatures and thermal comfort. Sensors embedded within the concrete ensure surface setpoints are met.

Concrete walls
Concrete walls

Many concrete surfaces have been left exposed as architectural features. Walls still display dowel holes remaining from forms used during the construction process.

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Did you know?

  • Being specific about “specific heat”

    The simple science of specific heat shows that, under the same conditions, it takes much longer for 1 kg (2.2 lb) of concrete to drop by 1 C (1.8 F) than it would for the same mass of wood or steel. Thermal conditions are therefore much more stable and, when combined with adequate insulation, less susceptible to fluctuations in outdoor temperature.

    During the winter of 2008, a boiler control issue shut the primary heat source off for the building for three days during Christmas vacation when few occupants were onsite. The building only lost 3 C (5.4 F) over three days before the problem was repaired. This situation would have been dramatically different with a ‘lightly’ constructed building without this enhanced thermal capacity.

  • Renewables in cement will reduce emissions

    Thoughtfully chosen integrated building technologies, such as the specialized air-handling and geothermal systems found in the ERC, reduce recurring embodied energy and operational energy impacts on biodiversity. These building attributes can ameliorate the overall ecological footprint of a particular building.

    Recycling end-of-life concrete building products can further contribute to eco-responsible construction practices. Using renewable materials as an alternative to traditional clinker for cement manufacturing is predicted to reduce cement industry CO2 emissions by as much as 50 per cent .

Generously supported by:

The Earth Rangers Centre is a unique and impressive showcase of concrete’s major contribution to a sustainable future.

A firm believer in the timeless principle of “Build It Once. Build It Right. Built It to Last.”, the Cement Association of Canada applauds the Center’s forward-thinking in adopting sustainable construction practices and welcomes the opportunity to expose children of all ages to concrete’s enormous environmental benefits. We are proud to support the Earth Rangers in their efforts to create a generation of environmental stewards who understand the importance of a positive, science-based approach to finding truly sustainable solutions.

Company Profile

The Cement Association of Canada (CAC) is the voice of Canada’s cement industry. A vital contributor to the country’s economy and infrastructure — cement and concrete are literally the foundation upon which modern societies are built — the industry provides a reliable domestic supply of cement required to build Canada’s communities.

The CAC, its members and concrete partners are committed to innovation, leadership, transparency and collaboration to reduce our environmental footprint and provide solutions to society’s sustainability challenges. The cement and concrete industry contributes more than $8 billion in annual sales and over 27,000 direct and indirect jobs to the Canadian economy.


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