Making a Difference Through Innovative HVAC Design
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By Mark Kandborg
he catch term “sustainability” is a bit like “organic,” or “lite.” Sure, it sounds good, but does it really mean anything? In the case of Russell Clark, principal engineer and founder of Clark Engineering, it certainly does. You could say it means the world. A lot of people talk about going green, but Clark has built a career on making it happen by helping builders, developers, architects and management companies implement environmentally and economically efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions in existing and new high-performance structures from hotels, office towers and condominiums to commercial buildings, hospitals, schools and research facilities; and he does it all through solid, pragmatic design. “Sustainability shouldn’t be added on,” Clark says, “it should be built in. If you focus on good quality design, that will lead to sustainability.” Clark came by his interest in environmental efficiency honestly – and early. “I was visiting recycling facilities with my dad when I was six,” he says, with the nostalgic tone that wouldn’t be out of place from a hockey legend recalling the first time he laced up a pair of skates. “That type of facility wasn’t common in the ’70s, but my father was very involved in what they were doing, and so was I.” In fact, Clark’s father, Robert, went on to make his own environmental mark, improving life in this city and others. “He was instrumental in the introduction of the LRT in Edmonton and the SkyTrain in Vancouver.”
Clark’s journey has brought him to a place where he’s making a difference locally in the way new buildings are put up and older ones are kept up, saving his clients’ money and minimizing impact to the environment at the same time. It’s no wonder he enjoys his job. He didn’t get here overnight, of course, but from the start of his career, he couldn’t help but feel a distinct pull. “Even when I was an engineer in training in the late ’80s and early ’90s,” he says, “I’d look at the plans and say ‘this is great but we can do this more efficiently’. Sometimes you had the opportunity, sometimes you didn’t, depending on the client.” But as time went on and as utility costs continued to climb, more clients were offering opportunities for Clark and his colleagues to find more efficient solutions. With that came another, irresistible opportunity for Clark himself – to take his expertise, his experience and his passion and put them all in one place. Thus, Clark Engineering Inc. was born. That was 15 years ago, a number that has proved significant for the company. “It’s an important milestone. At 15 years, people know you’re in it for the long haul and take you more seriously. It was interesting to me that when I first started up and talked to potential clients and architects, they’d say ‘Come back when you’ve been in business for five years and we know you’re going to be around.’ Well, five years wasn’t the real number,” he says, with a laugh. “What we’ve seen last year, and this year in particular, is significant growth. That has a lot to do with where we are in our journey.”
Clark Engineering • 15th Anniversary
Russell Clark.
Clark’s journey has brought him to a place where he’s making a difference locally in the way new buildings are put up and older ones are kept up, saving his clients’ money and minimizing impact to the environment at the same time. From where Clark and his company stand in year 15, the view is pretty inspiring. While their main focus is efficient, practical HVAC designs that provide long-term value for comfort and operability in both new and existing buildings, they also work extensively with property management and development giants like Melcor and ATCO, auditing and assessing their buildings and providing recommendations for upgrades. Many of these latter collaborations have achieved what is a kind of holy grail in the HVAC industry: to allow building owners to address maintenance issues and capital expenditures that they knew they had to provide, like a boiler replacement, and paying for them with future utility cost savings. The key to making this work, and to apply to more than a simple boiler upgrade, is a comprehensive and integrated utilization of utility savings. “If I look at the big picture I can say, you’re going to replace the boiler with a four-year payback, provide an energy recovery air system and get a three-year payback, and replace the lights and get a year-and-a-half payback. You can replace the windows and get a 40-year payback. But if you put them all together in the same package, what you’re reClark Engineering • 15th Anniversary
Some of the Clark Engineering staff hard at work.
these guys are using in the field, their level of comfort with technology is actually pretty high.” And so is the growing level of comfort and confidence the client base has in what Clark and Clark Engineering can achieve for them. Whether it’s the new utility plant at the university and Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon with upgrades ally looking at is a seven or eight-year payback. So you can go for the low-hanging fruit and get a quick payback or you can look at the big picture and put together a package with a little longer payback but a much larger impact.” Some people go for the low-hanging fruit and Clark says that’s perfectly fine. “That’s your decision. But we want to make sure it’s an informed one.” Clark Engineering is known for taking a very pragmatic approach when it comes to finding solutions for their clients. “There are a number of ways to approach a system design, and in many cases the benefits of ‘green’ technologies are being oversold,” Clark explains. “We try to identify the benefits of each, along with any potential shortcomings or risks.” It might come as a surprise that in some cases, a client may make a decision based on philosophical requirements as well as those of efficiency and effectiveness. Someone may feel very strongly that they want a solution that relies heavily on solar energy, for instance, when solar, although very relevant, may not be the best answer for their needs. “But for them, it’s important. Again, our job is to make sure they’re making an informed decision.” Then Clark will design, for them, the best solar solution available. “We focus on the client’s needs. Not just their physical comfort, but their peace of mind. Different people have different levels of comfort with technology,” Clark points out. “A remote school board may prefer dials and buttons to digital controls. The guy coming in to operate the boilers could very well be a local farmer. Although, if you’ve seen what Clark Engineering • 15th Anniversary
Topping Off Ceremony at the Mosaic Centre.
...efficient, practical HVAC designs that provide long-term value for comfort and operability in both new and existing buildings. that will result in savings that will pay for new infrastructure, or the first net-zero commercial building in northern Alberta, Clark - the man and the company - are making a difference. Clearly, upon reaching their 15-year milestone, they are positioned to have their best year yet. Clark Engineering Inc. is here to stay.
9409 98 Ave NW Edmonton, AB T6C 2C8 (780) 440-2806 www.clarkeng.ca
www.midwestengineering.ca Midwest Engineering (AB) Ltd. | Manufacturers Representatives for Commercial & Industrial HVAC Products
Congratulations Clark Engineering! Midwest Engineering is proud to play a part in your success. Clark Engineering • 15th Anniversary