Once-Through Cooling System

Step 1: Complete the Rebate Application Form [PDF/138KB] (fillable PDF) 

Step 2: Submit Rebate Application Form by mail or email waterwise@crd.bc.ca. 

Step 3: The CRD will contact the applicant to verify they meet the program requirements and provide a confirmation notice. 

Step 4: Complete the work using a licensed refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic. 

Step 5: Submit proof of work completion to the CRD. 

Step 6: The CRD may verify completion of work according to program requirements, then process the rebate payment. 

• Air-cooled equipment: install stand-alone air-cooled ice machines and condensing units.
• Closed-loop piping: recirculate cooling water to a remote air-cooled chiller or cooling tower, or connect to an existing closed-loop system serving another area of the building.
• Split-system: use heat pumps with remote air-cooled condensers.
• Remote air-cooled condenser: install an air-cooled condenser that vents outdoors.
• Combine with a heat exchanger: for maximum building efficiency, combine a remote system with a heat exchanger to preheat hot water for savings in both water and energy.

Contact an energy efficiency expert or refrigeration contractor with experience in combined systems to learn more. See CleanBC Better Homes tips for hiring a contractor.

In April 2013, Cedric Steele Realty Ltd. engaged the CRD to complete a free facility water use audit of the Hartwig Court office and commercial building on Wharf Street in Victoria, BC. Here is their story: 

At the time of the audit, the building housed eight office businesses and three food services facilities. Two of the three food service facilities consumed over 90% of the water used by the entire building. Most of this water-use was attributable to once-through cooling (OTC). The OTC units were converted to air-cooled units immediately after they received the report. They have saved approximately $125,000 since implementing the recommendations. 

“I was very happy with the water audit. After converting the water-cooled freezers and coolers of my tenants to air, we saved a substantial amount of money. We wouldn’t have done it without the audit. We believe that any commercial building owner, especially with a restaurant tenant, would benefit greatly by this advice.” 

 – S. Cedric Steele, President, Cedric Steele Realty Ltd., Victoria, BC. 

Hartwig Court [PDF/127KB] 

Strathcona Hotel has continually invested in water efficient technology and have realized dramatic savings on their water and energy bills. In 2014, they replaced their once-through cooling (OTC) with a closed-loop system connected to a heat exchanger. Although the entire project cost approximately $150,000, the combined annual savings in water and gas consumption payed back their investment in less than two years. Since then, they have changed out all the toilets and urinals, and most recently, in partnership with the Capital Regional District (CRD), have installed low flow aerators on sink faucets throughout the facility 

“We changed out all the hotel room toilets [and] we have renovated all the public washrooms and installed touch-free low-flow fixtures. The urinals are 0.5 lpf and the toilets 4.8 lpf. That would be approximately 150 fixtures we have changed in the last 8-10 years!” 

– Curt Fale, Maintenance Manager at the Strathcona Hotel, and CRD Water Conservation Partner.  

These small changes add up to big savings. The Strathcona Hotel is now saving approximately $170,000 every year on their water bill, along with about $35,000 on their gas bill, when compared to 2012 use. Efficiency pays! 

Here is their story directly from Grant Olson, Co-owner & General Manager, Strathcona Hotel: 

“Between 2010 and 2013 our water and gas bill increased by approximately $38,000! One significant flaw in our building was the cooling system for our refrigerators and freezers which relied on running water, and then went right down the drain (once-through cooling). For us, the solution was a closed-looped water cooling system. 

 In 2014 we started to build this system in our six-story building. While most cooling was needed at the lower and street level, we needed to install a cooling tower on the roof. The entire project took nine months to complete and cost approximately $150,000. Fortunately, we were able finish the project with little interruption to our business. 

 Now the great news: We realized an instant savings in our water consumption to the tune of about $50,000 annually and as an added bonus we received a $5,000 CRD rebate. A further “unexpected” bonus was realized in our gas consumption: we installed a suitcase-sized heat exchanger near our hot water boilers that allowed us to “dump” compressor coil heat into our hot water tanks. Now our hot water tanks only need gas to bring the water temperature up to 45°C from 32°C instead of from 8°C. The savings have been incredible, dropping our annual gas bill by about $35,000. Together, the combined annual savings in our water and gas consumption are about $85,000 and payback took less than two years. We all know that utility costs are going nowhere but up so the sooner you invest in your property’s efficiency the better off you will be. " 

– Grant Olson, Co-owner & General Manager, Strathcona Hotel, Victoria, BC 

Strathcona Hotel [PDF/324KB] 

Saving $206,000/year! Strathcona Hotel Update [PDF/730KB]  

When John’s Place Restaurant upgraded their water-cooled refrigeration system to air cooled, they achieved payback in under two years. Here is their story: 

“We opened in October ’84. And in those days, nobody told you about ways to save on energy costs. Today, we do seven times the business we did in that first year – about 600 a day. So when the CRD told me I could save $30,000 a year by switching from water-cooled to air-cooled refrigeration, I sure took notice. That and the other changes they recommended like low-flow faucets for the kitchen and high efficiency toilets. 

Now the great news: Six refrigeration units were replaced, realizing significant water savings. A system was installed that vented into the basement. This solved issues with the venting air-cooled units into the already hot kitchen environment. I’m no longer wasting money. As a business owner, it’s great that for once we can save the dollars and do our part for the environment." 

– John Cantin, Owner, John’s Place Restaurant, Victoria, BC 

John's Place Restaurant [PDF/270KB] 

Since all ice makers with self-contained refrigeration systems do require a water supply and drain connection for the ice production process it can be difficult to distinguish between air-cooled and water-cooled ice makers. One simple tip is that if the ice maker is Energy Star approved, it is air-cooled. 

If you've identified OTC equipment in your business but cannot replace or retrofit the equipment in the near future, follow these tips for best practices:

• Install solenoid valves that shut off cooling water when the equipment is turned off.
• Regularly inspect existing solenoid or water control valves to ensure water is only flowing when there is a heat load to be removed. Leaking valves can cost thousands of dollars per year in wasted water and are very common.
• Use the minimum flow rate required to cool the system recommended by the manufacturer.
• Insulate the piping, chiller and storage tanks for maximum efficiency.
• Keep coil loops clean to maximize heat exchange.
• Consider reusing cooling water to preheat water for other applications.

The actual cost to eliminate OTC in a facility can vary widely for each individual business, however due to the cost savings on maintenance and water use, a small commercial system can expect to see a return on investment in as little as 18 months. For a limited time, eligible business can receive a rebate (anchor link to above).  

Example: 
A typical small-medium OTC unit (1 ton, 12,000 BTU/hour, roughly 1 hp), with no maintenance issues uses approximately 6L/minute for an average of $6,600/year. These units usually run about 12 hours per day, which adds up to approximately 1,600 cubic meters per year per unit (enough to fill half an Olympic-sized swimming pool). By switching to an air-cooled unit, a facility can save about $4.21 per cubic meter (CRD water rate + CRD sewer rate) of water saved for a total annual savings of approximately $6,600. 

Based on many retrofits that have been completed in recent years in Greater Victoria and Greater Vancouver, retrofit costs and utility cost savings are typically in the ranges shown in this Restaurant OTC Retrofit Fact Sheet [PDF/49KB].  

If you would like an estimated payback period for replacing the water cooled equipment, as well as realizing other potential savings for your business, please email us at waterwise@crd.bc.ca or phone us at 250.360.3103. 

Equipment removed under the rebate program must have all chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) removed (if applicable) and be taken for scrap metal recycling. A receipt is required. 

An air-cooled unit needs lots of cool air to work properly. Small, confined spaces, especially those near hot kitchens can put too much stress on an air-cooled system. If your existing OTC system is in a tight space, don't let that be a barrier to switching to air-cooled. Consider these solutions:

• Relocate the heat pump or condensing unit to a place within the building that has better ventilation.
• Install a closed-loop cooling system so that water can be used multiple times (re-circulated) before draining.
• Install a chilled-water system where a chiller is placed on a rooftop or other exterior location. This is the most expensive solution, but is cost-effective when there are several OTC units located in one area.
• Combine systems for saving! For best savings, combine a closed-loop or chilled-water system with a heat exchanger to preheat water for other domestic uses. This can significantly reduce both water and energy costs. See Strathcona Hotel for more info.

The Sooke Lake reservoir has a limited capacity, and while it fills up quickly in the winter months, climate change is causing longer dry spells and hotter weather in the summer. Furthermore, increased outdoor water use for irrigation during these dry periods puts an additional strain on the water supply infrastructure.

Maximizing water storage in the reservoir ensures we have enough drinking water for the year and provides flexibility to handle droughts and forest fires. Population growth will eventually require expansion of our water supply system, but ongoing water conservation can delay the costly expansion. 

Conserving Water