Enermodal is not just a leader when it comes to green buildings. Our corporate culture and policies are constantly evolving to push the envelope when it comes to establishing truly sustainable operations.

Our Offices

Enermodal Denver

Enermodal’s American office, established in 1987, recently renovated an existing office in accordance with the LEED-NC (New Construction) Platinum rating. Features of the “Parkside Green” office include solar tube skylights, rooftop solar panels, and rapidly renewable (cork) flooring.

Enermodal Calgary

Enermodal’s Calgary office was the first LEED-CI (Commercial Interiors) Platinum certification in Canada thanks to design elements such as a 35% reduction in lighting power density compared with ASHRAE guidelines, green products used for 61% of construction materials, and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified framing, countertops, and doors.

Enermodal Toronto

Toronto’s first LEED-CI Platinum candidate is Enermodal’s Toronto office. This space achieved a 53% water use reduction, 98% construction waste diversion, and an 85% VOC (volatile organic compound) reduction.

A Grander View

A Grander View, Enermodal’s headquarters in Kitchener, is Canada’s most energy-efficient building, using 65 kWh/m2 compared with the Canadian aver of 400 kWh/m2. To learn more about this new facility, click here.
 

Our Operations

In addition to being a LEED-NC and CI Platinum candidate, A Grander View is set to become Canada’s first LEED-EBOM (Existing Buildings: Operation and Maintenance) Platinum certified office. LEED-EBOM describes the necessary operational policies and must be renewed every five years. Some of the aspects of building operation addressed by this rating system are housekeeping, purchasing policies, and waste management. Additionally, Enermodal is dedicated to going carbon neutral by 2014 through Sustainable Waterloo.

As a green building consultant, Enermodal realizes that even the most innovative, sustainable building can be an energy waster if there is not occupant buy-in – employees who are committed to a company’s stated environmental goals and who understand the way each member plays a role in achieving these goals. Companies can help guide operations and employees through forward-thinking policies that inform decisions large and small.

Many office cleaning products contain chemicals that are dangerous to janitorial staff and reduce indoor air quality for employees. Therefore, Enermodal implemented a green housekeeping program that specifies that all cleaning products are EcoLogo certified to be non-toxic. EcoLogo was established in 1988 by the Canadian government and is now North America’s most respected environmental product certification.

Corporations are a major purchaser when it comes to food, furniture, electronics, and consumer products, too, and the demand for environmentally-friendly products has increased the supply of these products in the marketplace. In regards to purchasing policies, every purchase, from new office furniture and equipment to food for company events has the environment as the determining factor. For example, at least 50% of all food purchased by Enermodal is either organically or locally produced, or both, and all office coffee is fair trade.

Enermodal has also designed and implemented a variety of waste reduction techniques, including

The Way We Work

Carbon neutrality encompasses everything from building energy use to business travel to employee commuting.

In terms of the office itself, A Grander View has a minimal environmental impact, thanks to good design. However, building operations and purchasing policies must be constantly improved to create a truly sustainable office. Therefore, Enermodal has created a corporate culture in which every decision has to be considered in terms of its impact on the environment.

Because Enermodal is a computer-heavy office, there are several policies to reduce energy use by computers. For example, almost all computers are laptops and are programmed to go into “idle” mode after five minutes without use and to go into “sleep” mode after 30 minutes without use. Programming computers to go into sleep mode can save 7% to 15% of the computer’s operating energy with no loss in performance.

A significant environmental impact of any business is the energy consumed by business travel. This is particularly true for Enermodal because LEED consultants and commissioning agents make frequent visits to construction sites. To minimize the carbon emissions from such travel, A Grander View includes a video conferencing system that will help Enermodal reduce the number of business trips for meetings. Additionally, Enermodal has commissioned a high-efficiency carshare vehicle to be at the office at all times for employees to use for site visits rather than their own (potentially more gas-intensive) vehicles.
 

Green Employee Incentives

Enermodal has some of the most progressive employee incentives in North America. Developed in conjunction with Enermodal’s Employee Sustainability Committee, these incentives expand beyond the workplace to encourage a comprehensive green lifestyle.

Green Lifestyle Incentives at A Grander View