Electrification of Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
The following is an excerpt taken from the “Electrification of Multi-Unit Residential Buildings” report completed in October 2021. LandlordBC was pleased to participate in this project, and our association remains committed to providing our members with the most up-to-date information regarding energy upgrades, rebates, and other tools that can be used to reduce carbon emission and offset the costs associated with operating their rental buildings. We care about the climate crisis and are proud of the fact that many of members have a strong track record for the early adoption of green initiatives to minimize our sector’s carbon footprint. To access the full report click here.
As nations around the world look for ways to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), there is a global trend towards decarbonization by phasing out technologies and energy sources that have high emissions and replacing them with low-carbon and zero-carbon alternatives. Electrification of building systems is a key strategy on the path to decarbonization. This project is focused on the electrification of Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs) in BC, with a focus on rental housing. The goals of this project are:
- To develop an understanding of:
- The current technologies available.
- Technical and financial considerations for electrification retrofit strategies.
- Current knowledge, capacity, and barriers that the rental housing market faces for electrification retrofits.
- To educate the rental housing industry regarding electrification retrofit opportunities and challenges in MURBs.
This education will be an essential component of preparing the industry for future efforts related to electrification. It will also better equip LandlordBC (LLBC) to participate as a well-informed industry leader in future discussions with key stakeholders on electrification and decarbonization. While this work may be of interest to a broad audience, the intended audience for this project are owners and managers of rental housing in British Columbia.
Consumption of fossil fuels in space heating and domestic hot water (DHW) is by far the largest contributor of greenhouse gasses (GHG) in BC’s buildings. Converting to efficient electric heating with heat pumps is one of the key ways to dramatically reduce these emissions, which will help to achieve local, provincial, and federal GHG reduction targets. The Building Electrification Road Map (BERM) envisions that by 2030, most replacement domestic hot water and space heating systems in BC’s homes and buildings will be high-efficiency electric. In order to achieve this within the rental housing sector, it will be critical for key stakeholders to understand the key opportunities and challenges for making this transition. LandlordBC, the leader in the rental housing sector, aims to support the industry in gaining a better understanding of these issues to educate owners and managers, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding building retrofit options. This knowledge will be a critical component in the transition to low carbon buildings, while ensuring the industry can continue to effectively provide critical housing to British Columbians.