Retrofit Accelerator

Demand for prefabricated overcladding is here, supply is catching up

11/2024 - How can we make building retrofits faster, easier, and less expensive? Keith Burrows, Director, Low-Carbon Buildings, takes us on a journey of insulation that goes on the outside of an existing building.

Prefabricated Overcladding Solutions for Deep Retrofits

11/2024 - November 2024. TAF commissioned WSP to review and evaluate prefabricated overcladding technologies across North America. This report summarizes these solutions’…

Retrofit Services Manager, Kaitlin Carroll discusses an upcoming heat pump installation with Toronto Community Housing residents. Photo by Nhan Ng Productions

Extreme heat bylaws: Perspectives from our retrofit services manager

10/2024 - Our latest retrofit diary from Kaitlin Carroll, Retrofit Services Manager, offers practical considerations and explores how thoughtful planning can ensure extreme heat bylaws benefit both building owners and tenants.

Sparroway community event shows people interacting with design plans

Managing Carbon Footprint

8/2024 - NRU - Keith Burrows, Director Low Carbon Buildings, discusses the Sparroway retrofit project, emphasizing the importance of extreme heat mitigation for tenant comfort and safety.

More efficient homes plus new local jobs can create lasting affordability

12/2023 - Community benefits strategies for major public infrastructure projects are increasingly in play.

How a downtown Toronto condo defied the odds to save energy and money

5/2023 - TORONTO STAR: “This particular project, we were interested right off the bat because of the emission reduction potential for sure, but also because of this particular use of technology: A drop-in replacement for a chiller really has the potential to scale and we wanted to do what we could to make sure the project was a success,” said Keith Burrows, TAF's Director of Low-Carbon Buildings.

Toronto Housing’s Flagship Green Retrofit to Deliver 70% Drop in Energy Use

8/2022 - THE ENERGY MIX - New TAF retrofit is expected to garner at least $52,000 in annual utility savings, and 196 job years of local employment, establishing a model for other deep retrofits of similar buildings in TCHC’s portfolio and beyond that can be easily replicated.

Breaking ground on a climate-friendly way to heat and cool homes in Toronto

7/2022 - TVO -“It’s really critical that we get all new developments to net-zero or near-zero as soon as possible. Low-carbon district energy is one way to address that challenge,” says Bryan Purcell.

Lessons from a Heat Pump Retrofit at CityHousing Hamilton

5/2022 - May 2022. Government of Ontario. TAF collaborated with CityHousing Hamilton to plan and implement a pilot project at a three-storey…

How To Heat Your Home Without Heating The Planet

11/2021 - CHATELAINE - CEO Julia Langer discusses practical and inspiring reasons to make the switch to heat pumps. "It's not that complicated - you don’t need fossil fuels to heat your home."

Putting out the fire: How to cleanly heat a cold country that’s hooked on natural gas

11/2021 - CORPORATE KNIGHTS - Without strong policy signals, utilities continue to invest millions annually in expanding and renewing gas distribution infrastructure, compounding the risk of stranded assets and financial disruptions.

Deep Retrofit Diary: A New Kind of Project Delivery

6/2021 - There’s one basic concept that is completely changing the way we do retrofits at TAF. Integrated Project Delivery integrates people, systems, business structures and practices into a process that collaboratively harnesses the talents and insights of all participants.