The Key To Decarbonization
While Canada tackles the country-wide housing and affordability crisis, making investments in existing homes and buildings is the only viable path to sector decarbonization.
While Canada tackles the country-wide housing and affordability crisis, making investments in existing homes and buildings is the only viable path to sector decarbonization.
Since the last election, B.C. has made strides in reducing carbon emissions in buildings by upgrading and installing , scaling up low-carbon energy, increasing community resilience to extreme weather, and laying the foundation for a net-zero economy.
Buildings constructed for yesterday’s climate are no longer able to handle today’s extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, flooding, and wildfire smoke. Deep retrofits, which include upgrades to ventilation, heating, cooling systems, and building envelopes (including windows), can significantly enhance occupant health and resilience. Investing in these upgrades now is crucial to safeguard our communities.
Canada has 26 years remaining to achieve net-zero by 2050. The focus of energy experts and government officials to date has been on the technical solutions needed to achieve deep emissions reductions.
The Pembina Institute has used the Energy Policy Simulator to develop an illustrative policy scenario, “Path to 2050,” to show one possible pathway to achieving net-zero in Canada. Net-zero means cutting greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible, with any remaining emissions re-absorbed either by natural means or technological solutions.
B.C. has taken a big step towards achieving its net-zero commitments for buildings and energy efficiency from windows with low U-values, and by proposing changes to the Demand-side Measures Regulation, which governs demand-side management (DSM) programs for gas and electric utilities in the province.
Updating or installing new windows for a new residential or commercial build requires a bit of a learning curve to understand the “science” behind an energy-efficient window. When speaking with a window consultant you will come across certain terms pertaining to the design of the window frame, glass and spacer systems.
Every part of the house works together, along with windows that offer impressive thermal performance and values that reach Passive House and Net-zero targets. A Net-zero home provides consistent temperatures throughout, prevents drafts, and filters indoor air to reduce dust and allergens.
These building code changes enable 20% better energy efficiency and provide an opt-in Zero Carbon Step Code (formerly known as the Carbon Pollution Standard), and were signed by the Minister of Housing last week.
Not every net-zero home is the same, but they all include their own sources of renewable energy. Many use solar photovoltaic panels that can typically produce energy for lighting, heating and cooling systems, hot water and appliances and windows with high performing thermal values.