Description
As space and water heating systems fueled by natural gas reach their end of life, they must be replaced with highly efficient, low carbon alternatives such as electric heat pumps. By 2030, 20% of homes will be using electric heat pumps for water and space heating. By 2050, this will rise to 85% of homes.
This action will be led by building owners with support from community capacity building organizations such as Reep Green Solutions and Sustainable Waterloo Region.
REEP GREEN SOLUTIONS
Reep’s trained staff and registered energy advisors are assisting homeowners in choosing upgrades that will increase home comfort, save energy costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including switching their home's heating and water heating off of fossil fuels.
Since 2020, Reep has helped homeowners install 876 energy efficiency upgrades, including 168 heat pump installations.
Click here to learn more about the Federal Canada Greener Homes Grant.
CITY OF KITCHENER
City of Kitchener is currently looking at potential pilot project options on heat pump water heaters. The City of Kitchener also conducted staff training on the heat pump water heater with the supplier (Rheem) to educate and address any barriers to this technology. Additionally the downtown Kitchener district energy feasibility study is progressing. The project would significantly decrease emissions from both existing and new buildings, and provide a long-term path to decarbonization for system customers without individual building-level changes being required.
TOWNSHIP OF WOOLWICH
In 2022 and 2023, the Township of Woolwich provided educational opportunities to Woolwich residents about heat pumps and switching to net zero in your home through Woolwich Climate Action Events.
SUSTAINABLE WATERLOO REGION
Similarly to Action 3.1.1, Sustainable Waterloo Region’s members of the Impact Network have access to many resources such as a list of suggested energy-efficient upgrades that each business can consider within their facility. Sustainable Waterloo Region hosts over a dozen in-person and online events yearly, bringing the sustainable community together to network, learn, share experiences, and collaborate. Many of these events include discussions around building envelopes, upgrades that could or have been made by members, and what positive environmental and business impacts have come as a result.