INNISFAIL – Doubting town council members got the information they asked for and the Town of Innisfail's administration building will soon be getting refitted with 30 new triple pane windows.
The issue first came to council at its regular meeting on Jan. 13 but was tabled to Jan. 27 for Meghan Jenkins, the Town of Innisfail’s community services director, to bring in more information on the efficiency and claimed energy savings of triple pane windows versus the older double pane model.
Mayor Jean Barclay and Coun. Dale Dunham both had doubts.
Jenkins told council that the windows planned for replacement at the administration building are the original windows from 1983 on the north and south sides of the offices area.
Council was told the replacement of the double pane windows was approved as a 2024 capital project in the amount of $50,000.
However, original cost projects were more than the original budgeted amount and did not factor in replacement with triple pane windows.
Council was told administration received three quotes from contractors; Innisfail’s Sunset Glass, Pearl Rose Construction from Red Deer County and South Hill Window, also from Red Deer County.
Pearl Rose Construction was ultimately selected for the contract for an amount of $72,950.
On Jan. 13 Jenkins requested 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 with triple pane windows.
Armed with additional new information on triple pane windows on Jan. 27 Jenkins once again recommended the triple pane option, and through a motion to council, sought an additional $22,950, plus GST, to move forward with the window replacement project.
“Triple pane windows are generally considered 20 per cent more energy efficient than standard double pane,” Jenkins told council. “In addition to energy efficiency triple pane windows improve occupant comfort by reducing drafts, soundproofing, increased durability and security.”
She also told council the average return on investment for triple pane windows is 10 to 20 years.
However, due to the nature of the administration building and the metering of gas to the facility Jenkins said it was difficult to "directly estimate" the return on investment.
In the meantime, Dunham was pleased with the new triple pane window information and was on board to move forward.
“When you break it down over the 30 years, which is probably the life expectancy, you're looking at $20 a month,” said Dunham. “Obviously, that's going to be an energy savings.
“So now that I see this, I definitely in support of it.”
Council unanimously approved Jenkins recommendation for the additional $22,950 plus GST, to complete the Town Office Window Replacement project.
