In 2015, TAF partnered with Toronto Community Housing to undertake energy efficiency retrofits in seven buildings. This work, completed in 2018, demonstrated that retrofits can provide a compelling return on investment while enhancing resident comfort, reducing environmental impacts, and generating green jobs.
The TCH partnership covered seven buildings on three sites: Trethewey Tedder Apartments, Arleta Manor, and R.J. Smith Apartments.
The projects delivered a menu of essential upgrades to properties built between in the 1960s and ’70s, all aimed at reducing consumption of gas, electricity, and water. All the buildings were equipped with new or reconditioned gas boilers, two of the three sites received in-suite smart thermostats and air handling systems, and Arleta Manor installed new gas absorption heat pumps to supply hot water. Electricity conservation measures included LED lighting retrofits and new occupancy sensors in all the buildings, with two of three getting retrofits to improve the efficiency of electric motors. All three sites installed ultra-low flow, three-litre toilets in every suite.
Significant savings
- At Trethewey Tedder Apartments, the retrofit saved $242,997 across the three utilities in the first year after the retrofit, 28 per cent more than expected. Water use was reduced by 20 per cent and carbon emissions 24 per cent, and overheating in shoulder seasons decreased by 22 per cent.
- At R.J. Smith Apartments, the retrofit reduced carbon emissions by 212 tonnes a year and saved $123,957 per year, delivering a 7.1-year simple payback and a 9.2 per cent internal rate of return over 10 years. We reduced overheating in the winter by 59 per cent by installing correctly sized, high-efficiency boilers.
- At Arleta Manor, the retrofit reduced carbon emissions 30 per cent, significantly improved indoor air and environmental quality, and saved $135,000 on gas, electricity, and water, 21 per cent more than expected
