INNISFAIL – Town of Innisfail staff has been asked to probe a bit further into the energy efficiency of new triple pane windows planned for the administration building after questions on cost were raised by two members of council.
On Jan. 13 at council’s regular meeting a town office window replacement plan was presented to replace 30 windows with new triple pane models on the administration building’s older north and south sides.
Meghan Jenkins, the town’s director of community services, estimated that the older windows were first installed in 1983.
Her report to council said the replacement of the town office windows was approved as a 2024 capital project in the amount of $50,000.
However, council was told the project’s original cost projections did not factor in replacement with triple pane windows, which is claimed to achieve improved insulation and efficiency, and recommended by administration.
Administration advanced a recommendation to council to approve an additional $22,950, plus GST, to be funded by the Infrastructure Capital Maintenance and Repair Reserve to complete the Town Office Window Replacement Project.
However, Mayor Jean Barclay noted the additional monies would increase the total cost to about $72,950, a jump of 45 per cent.
She wanted to know if the claimed energy savings from triple pane windows was worth this increased cost.
Jenkins told council the town had not done an ROI (return on investment) but with the recommendations from the contractors it was felt by staff it was the best route for window replacement.
But Coun. Dale Dunham told council he looked at replacing windows on his home 18 months ago and was told by contractors the energy saving difference between triple and double pane windows was not worth a 30 per cent difference in cost.
“So, I have a really hard time with 45 per cent (increase) to actually see the long-term advantage,” said Dunham.
Jenkins then offered to “pull those ROI calculations” for a more complete savings analysis between triple and double pane windows, or just go with double pane for the window replacement project.
Both Barclay and Dunham said they preferred to see the ROI analysis, and have staff come back to council with a report.
“It would be a nice extra (triple pane), but looking at our budget this year we need to be pretty diligent with what we're doing,” said Coun. Jason Heistad.
Council then unanimously approved a motion to table the recommendation until council had further information from administration.
