1Click Heating & Cooling Embarks on Deep Energy Retrofit Project in Ottawa
In a significant step towards a greener future, 1Click Heating & Cooling has begun work on a deep energy retrofit project in Ottawa’s Carver Place neighbourhood. This project, part of EnviroCentre’s Retrofit Accelerator initiative, aims to drastically reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in multi-family housing units.
The project, facilitated by EnviroCentre on behalf of Gloucester Housing, is focused on transforming 63 residential units in the Carver Place community. The initiative involves replacing existing traditional furnaces with energy-efficient hybrid air source heat pumps, upgrading natural gas water heaters to electric hybrid heat pump water heaters, and installing heat recovery ventilation (HRV) systems. Additionally, the project includes upgrades to attic insulation and air sealing, ensuring comprehensive energy efficiency improvements.
The initiative is built on the successful completion of upgrades at several test units, demonstrating the positive impact of these measures. The planned retrofits are projected to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 153 tonnes per year and save an estimated 2,097 gigajoules (GJ) of energy annually.
A Collaborative Effort for a Sustainable Future
This ambitious project is a collaboration between 1Click Heating & Cooling, EnviroCentre, and Gloucester Housing, all committed to promoting sustainable development and addressing climate change. The project highlights the importance of energy efficiency in multi-family housing, addressing affordability, energy conservation, and emissions reductions simultaneously.
“EnviroCentre’s Retrofit Accelerator engages social housing providers and tenants in deep retrofit projects, addressing affordability, energy conservation and emissions reductions, all at once. This is a much-needed service to ensure the owners and residents of affordable building stock in Eastern Ontario can benefit from the transition to clean energy,” says Sharon Coward, Executive Director, EnviroCentre.
Nathan Horton, CEO of 1Click, emphasizes the importance of multi-family housing in sustainable development, stating, “Multi-family housing isn’t just a solution for affordable living; it’s a cornerstone of sustainable development. As an electrification company, 1Click believes that minimizing our use of fossil fuels and moving towards low-carbon systems are key to fighting climate change, addressing energy poverty, and achieving Canada’s net-zero targets.”
Beyond Environmental Benefits: Enhancing Resident Comfort
The project is not only about environmental benefits, but also about improving the quality of life for residents. The upgrades are expected to provide enhanced indoor air quality, year-round comfort, and increased resilience to extreme heat, particularly important given the increasing impacts of climate change.
“Not only will these retrofits have a positive environmental impact, but they will also substantially benefit the residents of these properties,” continued Horton. “These families will enjoy better indoor air quality, year-round comfort, and an increased ability to cope with the extreme heat we’ve experienced in recent years due to climate change. It truly is a win-win and we are optimistic that other housing groups will follow suit.”
About 1Click Heating & Cooling
1Click Heating & Cooling is a leading provider of home electrification and energy efficiency solutions in Canada. They are committed to helping Canadians reduce their carbon footprint and utility bills by making it easy to switch to electric home comfort systems.
About EnviroCentre
EnviroCentre is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability in Ottawa. For over 20 years, they have been delivering programs and services to help individuals, businesses, and communities reduce their carbon emissions and environmental impact. Their core focus areas include Green Homes, Green Transportation, Green Business, and Green Future.
The project in Carver Place serves as a model for sustainable development in multi-family housing, demonstrating how energy efficiency upgrades can significantly reduce emissions, enhance comfort, and improve the quality of life for residents. As the project progresses, it is expected to inspire similar initiatives across Canada, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable future.