A decarbonization roadmap is a guide to achieving targeted reductions in greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions. Here we explain how to use a roadmap based on your specific building lifecycle and budgeting limitations to improve condo board planning.

Comparing Your Costs: Gas vs. Electric

An effective roadmap includes mechanical equipment replacement, reviewing the predicted cost increases for gas and electric systems. With both the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) and Enbridge Gas predicting electricity costs will rise at a lower rate of 20% compared to gas at around 36%, many buildings are looking at electric heat pumps.

Not only are they less expensive to power, but heat pumps also help reduce electrical consumption, adding to further savings. Some considerations in heating system replacement include:

• Will a heat pump work with an existing hydronic system and if not, how does this impact your replacement plans?
• How long will a natural gas-fired system remain compliant with federal targets, if at all?
• Will the likelihood of changing mandates make natural gas-fired systems obsolete?
• How can you avoid accompanying costs related to mechanical system replacements such as roof capacity or increased electrical system demand?

Right-Sizing for Your Building

When considering replacing a gas boiler, will your building require an oversized heat pump and how will you accommodate it? It is often easier to look at over-arching solutions for your roadmap such as window upgrades to improve air tightness, allowing you to install a smaller heat pump. This approach also saves money by reducing the need for electrical upgrades using a “right-sizing” replacement strategy.

Overcoming Government Decarbonization Roadmap Challenges

Your board requires a multi-pronged roadmap strategy that allows you to manage net-zero demand in a cost-effective way, including:

• Exploring a combination of retrofits such as windows, roofing, and lighting to reduce power consumption across all operational systems
• Integrated building upgrades that reduce the need for expensive mechanical systems that might become outdated and interfere with future net-zero initiatives
• Understanding where your building is wasting energy and producing more carbon to reduce consumption more effectively
• Creating a more climate-resilient building to reduce the effects of climate change and damage related to weather-related events that can negatively impact your net-zero targets

3 Approaches to Create a Condo Decarbonization Roadmap

There are three approaches you can use to create your own decarbonization roadmap including:

1. Partnering with decarbonization consultants to devise and implement a roadmap specific to your property to ensure funding is assigned to projects effectively
2. Hiring turnkey contractors to manage project-specific roles that address emissions reductions from roadmap design to hiring suitable subcontractors and leveraging utility incentives to financing when required
3. Deploying software to inform all aspects of roadmap development and implementation to leverage data-driven decisions based on energy use and realistic cost projections

Recognizing that the decisions you make today will apply at the time the government expects your building to reach net-zero operations will empower you to create an effective road map.

Taking a holistic approach to achieving net-zero targets will ensure you invest wisely in decarbonization measures that help you reach government requirements in a cost-effective way.

The condo experts at CPO Management Inc, a full-service property management company in Toronto and the GTA, have had tremendous success helping condo corporations manage their reserve fund studies effectively with consideration for the impact of net-zero targets. Reach out to us today to learn how we can achieve cost savings and efficiencies for your corporation.