energy efficiency

Breaking ground on gas absorption heat pumps – updates!

10/2018 - …

What’s in, what’s out? TAF reviews Ontario’s climate policy cancellations

10/2018 - Ontario is hitting the reset button on climate policy. With the old plan out and some high-profile cancellation announcements, there is some confusion about the current status of policies and their implications and opportunities. Here's our review of the policy landscape and opportunities to provide input.

COMPASS: Game-changing energy benchmarking tool to launch in Fall 2018

7/2018 - The Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) and RWDI have developed a game-changing energy benchmarking tool, with TAF's support. The Compass tool streamlines energy benchmarking and reporting during the design phase of building development projects. New technology like this will get us closer to our TransformTO goals.

Energy efficiency leads to job and GDP growth in Canada, new research shows

6/2018 - Investments in energy-efficient buildings result in more local jobs and economic growth across Canada. From retrofits to housing renewal in Indigenous communities, energy efficiency can strengthen our economy and get us closer to a low-carbon future. Read our guest blog by Corey Diamond of Efficiency Canada.

Generation Energy report shows path to Canada’s low-carbon future

6/2018 - How should Canada transition to a low-carbon economy within a generation? 14 thought leaders from across Canada, including TAF CEO Julia Langer, authored the Generation Energy report to the federal government that maps out four critical pathways.

New TowerWise video shows the importance of energy retrofits

6/2018 - Buildings are the largest emissions source in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area; that's why our TowerWise program improves the energy efficiency in our buildings. The Atmospheric Fund’s new video shows the importance of energy efficiency and building retrofits to achieve our climate goals - check it out.

Electric meters in a row measuring power use.

Introducing the Green Button: Empowering consumers through energy data

5/2018 - Smarter energy choices for your home: Ontario's proposed Green Button program will provide energy customers province-wide with access to their energy consumption and spending data. With improved energy efficiency in our homes and buildings, we can reduce emissions and get even closer to our TransformTO and provincial climate goals.

Photo Credit: Ontario Growth Secretariat, Ministry of Municipal Affairs

More than meets the eye: Don’t let simple payback steer your retrofit decision

5/2018 - Simple payback is often used to determine the attractiveness of an investment - but is it shortchanging you on your energy retrofit decision? Tim Stoate, TAF VP of Impact Investing, explains why you should consider additional financial analysis to make a more informed building retrofit decision and ultimately generate more cash.

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.

ZeroHouse: A made-in-Toronto net zero housing solution

1/2018 - How can we reduce emissions from new residential buildings while addressing the housing shortage in the GTHA, especially the gap between high-rises and detached homes? The ZeroHouse, co-developed by Ryerson University students and the Endeavour Centre, shows how to address both issues.

Money on the table: Why investors miss out on the energy efficiency market

12/2017 - Energy efficiency retrofits in Canada represent a multi-billion dollar market opportunity, yet investment levels remain low. TAF's latest report identifies three market failures that hamper investment and maps out how to overcome them based on international best practices.