building retrofits

Heat pumps: Hybrid dual fuel option offers viable pathway to electrification

4/2018 - Since buildings and homes account for almost a quarter of the province’s carbon emissions, we need innovative low-carbon heating solutions. A new study by MaRS Advanced Energy Center and Enbridge demonstrates that a smart, hybrid dual fuel option offers a viable pathway to electrification for home heating in Ontario.

Overheating no more: How smart thermostats improve the lives of over 1,300 residents

2/2018 - TAF's TowerWise project provides multiple benefits through energy retrofits such as jobs, health, and comfort. Smart thermostats give residents control over their comfort in a way that also maximizes the performance of these existing buildings - a win-win solution for building residents, carbon emissions, and energy savings.

Business Insider: ecobee donates over 700 thermostats to Toronto Community Housing to improve sustainability and resident comfort

1/2018 - TAF teamed up with ecobee on the TowerWise program to improve resident comfort, reduce emissions, and identify best practices in retrofits across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area. The newly installed smart thermostats make intelligent heating and cooling decisions to reduce energy waste and offer real-time insights to identify other opportunities for future improvements.

Ontario Construction Report: Next phase of TowerWise features $9 million energy efficiency models

12/2017 - Following the announcement of the new $9-million phase, Ontario Construction Report profiled TAF’s trailblazing TowerWise retrofit program, with new energy and emission targets that align closely with TransformTO.

The Energy Mix: TAF Aims for Deeper Carbon Cuts in Multi-Residential Buildings

12/2017 - TAF Low Carbon Buildings Manager Ekaterina Tzekova emphasizes how deep energy retrofits in the new TowerWise phase will result in economic, environmental, and social benefits.

TowerWise: TAF launches new phase of energy retrofit program

12/2017 - We spend the vast majority of our time indoors, but we rarely make the connection between our activities and the fact that buildings are a major source of carbon emissions. We need to significantly improve the way existing buildings perform – and we need to do it quickly. TAF is doing just that with the next phase of its TowerWise retrofit program.

Next phase of TowerWise program set to show path to deep building energy efficiency

12/2017 - TAF is launching the next phase of its TowerWise retrofit program. It will include four demonstration sites with different building types, demographics, and ownership structures in Toronto and Hamilton, representing the broader multi-residential sector – including social housing.

Energy efficiency 101: Why do an energy retrofit?

12/2017 - Operating a building is costly – with energy costs usually being the largest variable expense building operators can influence. An energy efficiency retrofit is the best way to reduce these costs. But there are more benefits, our VP of Impact Investing Tim Stoate explains.

No buildings left behind: A near-zero emissions future for Canada’s existing buildings

10/2017 - Canada has to include existing buildings in its transition to a low-carbon future. Research from The Atmospheric Fund and the Pembina Institute outlines a comprehensive national strategy to make our existing building stock energy efficient.

Condominium Manager Magazine: Energy Retrofits – Lower Your Operating Costs Through Debt-Free Financing

10/2017 - Condominium Manager Magazine: TAF VP Tim Stoate explains how energy savings performance agreements (ESPA) for energy retrofits can help lower operating costs.

Policy Options: Governments need to act on energy-efficient buildings shift

9/2017 - The shift to ultra-energy-efficient and low-carbon homes and buildings will help Canada reach its 2030 climate target under the Paris Agreement as well as its longer-term decarbonization goals. It will also reduce energy costs for Canadians, TAF CEO Julia Langer and Pembina Institute's Director of Buildings and Urban Solutions Karen Tam Wu emphasize in their submission to Policy Options.

Green building summit pushes the envelope on net-zero carbon buildings

6/2017 - TAF's Building Research Manager Ekaterina Tzekova recently attended the CaGBC's annual conference in Vancouver. Here are her key takeaways. This year’s conference focused on actionable solutions to climate change and included the unveiling of the new Zero Carbon Building standard.