The Ajax Battle of the Buildings energy savings competition has delivered impressive results, cutting energy use across multiple municipal facilities and saving enough electricity to power nearly 11 homes for an entire year.
The Town of Ajax launched its first-ever Battle of the Buildings initiative from September 1 to December 31, challenging staff, residents, and community members to reduce energy consumption by at least 10 percent. By the end of the four-month competition, participants had exceeded expectations, achieving total energy savings of 116,333 kilowatt-hours (kWh).
Those savings translate into a significant environmental impact. Town officials confirmed the initiative reduced greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 11 tonnes, supporting Ajax’s broader sustainability and climate action goals.
The Ajax Battle of the Buildings energy savings competition focused primarily on low-cost and no-cost behaviour-based strategies rather than expensive infrastructure upgrades. Staff were encouraged to closely monitor daily operations and adopt practical changes that could immediately reduce unnecessary energy use.
Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change Supervisor Cameron Richardson highlighted the collaborative spirit behind the program.
“Battle of the Buildings brought our teams together to closely track energy use and make practical improvements across our facilities,” Richardson said. “Measurable energy savings that impact our operations today help set us up for continued efficiency for years to come. We look forward to continuing these improvements for the next competition.”
The McLean Community Centre emerged as the top-performing facility, recording 31,047 kWh in electricity savings alone. Several targeted measures contributed to its success.
Among the initiatives implemented across participating facilities were:
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Scheduling HVAC and sauna systems based strictly on actual occupancy to reduce unnecessary run time.
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Encouraging consistent energy-saving habits, including turning off lights, powering down monitors, maximizing natural lighting, and shutting off exhaust fans when not needed.
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Installing occupancy sensors to control gym lighting at the Audley Recreation Centre.
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Optimizing refrigeration plant settings at the Ajax Community Centre, including reduced night settings and adjusting daytime usage based on ice demand.
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Monitoring air hoses daily at the Operations Centre to prevent compressor overruns and detect leaks early.
All participating buildings were monitored using Ajax’s energy management software, which tracked performance in real time and allowed teams to measure progress throughout the competition.
Mayor Shawn Collier praised the initiative and the community’s involvement.
“Thank you to all participating facilities, staff and residents who helped achieve these significant energy-saving results,” Collier said. “This initiative shows that when we invest in efficiency and collaboration, we can reduce energy while building a more sustainable future for our community.”
The Ajax Battle of the Buildings energy savings initiative forms part of the town’s corporate commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent below 2019 levels by the end of 2025. The results from this first competition suggest that Ajax is making measurable progress toward that target.
Participating facilities included the Ajax Community Centre, Audley Recreation Centre, McLean Community Centre, Ajax Town Hall, Ajax Operations Centre, and the Ajax Public Library Main Branch.
With strong participation and tangible results in its inaugural year, town officials have indicated that the competition will likely return, continuing to promote energy efficiency and environmental responsibility across Ajax.
The success of the Ajax Battle of the Buildings energy savings competition demonstrates how coordinated local action can produce meaningful environmental and financial benefits for the community.
