by Rakesh Kumar
Note: The blog post is written in advance of an upcoming overview paper on the same theme by the author (R. Kumar et al.).
The Challenge: Energy and Emissions in BC’s Buildings
Buildings have a significant impact on the environment in British Columbia (BC), accounting for around 25% of the province’s energy use and about 19% of its greenhouse gas emissions. Most of this comes from heating, cooling, and hot water systems. Recent weather events, like the heat wave in 2021, have shown us how outdated building designs can make us vulnerable to climate change.
BC, like other parts of Canada, faces the important challenge of making homes both affordable and able to withstand climate-related issues. The good news is that there are effective solutions available. These include heat pumps, solar panels, better insulation, and smart energy controls. These technologies can help lower energy costs, cut down on emissions, and make our homes more comfortable throughout the year. The current focus is on expanding the use of these solutions, especially in older buildings that were not designed with energy efficiency or climate resilience in mind.
Building’s Energy and Thermal Systems
Energy and thermal systems form the heart of every building. They include the technologies and design features that regulate temperature, air quality, water heating, and overall comfort, while managing how energy is used.
Key Components
| System | Examples | Purpose |
| HVAC Systems | Boilers, heat pumps, air conditioners | Maintain indoor comfort and air quality |
| Envelope & Passive Design | Insulation, shading, airtight windows | Reduce heat loss/gain and energy demand |
| Water Heating | Heat pump, tankless, or solar heaters | Supply hot water efficiently |
| Heat Recovery | ERVs, HRVs, drain water systems | Reuse waste heat for efficiency |
| Renewable Energy | Solar PV, biomass, wind, microgrids | Generate clean energy locally |
| Smart Controls | Sensors, automation, AI platforms | Monitor and optimize energy in real time |
BC’s buildings have a variety of energy needs because of its diverse climates. For example, places like Vancouver have mild winters, while northern areas get much colder and need more heating. In homes across BC, the most popular heating options are natural gas boilers and furnaces, which are used in around 39% of the houses. Electric heaters are often found in older homes that don’t have access to natural gas, and they account for about 30% of all heating systems. While 13% use electric heat pumps, a share that’s rapidly growing as households shift toward cleaner energy.
Cooling, Comfort, and Climate Adaptation
As summers grow hotter, cooling is becoming essential in many parts of BC. Presently, about 45% of BC homes have air conditioning, with the highest rates in the Okanagan region (including Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Summerland, Oliver, Osoyoos, and Lake Country). Heat pumps are emerging as a smarter solution in most parts of BC. They can both heat and cool homes efficiently using BC’s clean hydropower.
Upgrading homes for cooling in the rapidly changing climate isn’t just about comfort; it’s about saving lives. During the 2021 heatwave, over 600 heat-related deaths occurred in BC, most in older homes lacking adequate cooling. Energy-efficient systems can help protect vulnerable populations during extreme heat while reducing stress on the power grid.
Building Digitalization and Smart Systems
New digital tools are revolutionizing the operation of buildings through the implementation of Building Automation Systems (BAS). These systems utilize sensors and artificial intelligence to continuously monitor various factors such as temperature, occupancy, humidity, and energy consumption. By automatically adjusting heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and ventilation, BAS not only enhances comfort for occupants but also significantly reduces energy waste.
Smart monitoring also enables predictive maintenance, helping building owners fix issues before equipment fails, cutting costs and extending system life.
Emerging Technologies Driving Change
Advanced Heat Pumps: Heat pumps are now the cornerstone of BC’s clean-energy strategy. They can be three times more efficient than gas furnaces and work well in BC’s moderate climate. With 98% of BC Hydro’s electricity coming from renewable sources, switching to heat pumps is one of the most effective ways to decarbonize homes.
Heat Pump Water Heaters (HPWH): These systems extract heat from surrounding air to warm water, reducing energy use by up to 50%. Rebates from BC Hydro and federal programs are making HPWHs more accessible.
Solar and Distributed Energy: Solar PV systems are gaining traction thanks to CleanBC incentives and the Canada Greener Homes Initiative, which offer grants, loans, and net-metering options. Though initial costs remain high, declining prices and supportive policies are accelerating adoption.
Low-Carbon and Passive House Design: Vancouver’s building standards now require 10–20% reductions in embodied carbon, depending on building type. The Passive House standard, using airtight envelopes, super insulation, and natural sunlight, has shown that energy use for heating and cooling can be cut by up to 90%. Projects like Vienna House in Vancouver demonstrate these principles in action.
Building Retrofitting: The Biggest Opportunity
More than half of BC’s buildings are over 40 years old, and most will be operating for decades to come. Retrofitting them is crucial for achieving climate targets. Projects like The Fernwood retrofit in Victoria —a 1912 heritage home upgraded with modern systems —show that deep energy renovations are possible without sacrificing the historical integrity of older homes.
However, retrofits can be challenging due to structural limitations, costs, and design constraints. Strategic planning, skilled labour, and supportive policy are key to overcoming these barriers.
Future Pathways: Net-Zero and Beyond
BC’s Energy Step Code sets a goal for all new buildings to be net-zero ready by 2032. This means buildings will produce as much clean energy as they consume. The province’s shift toward all-electric systems, smarter automation, and mass timber construction is paving the way for low-carbon communities.
Yet, the transition must remain socially sustainable. Green upgrades should not deepen affordability gaps. Instead, they must create healthier, more equitable, and climate-ready homes for all residents, including Indigenous and remote communities.
A sustainable future for BC is already within reach—it starts with how we design, heat, and power the places we call home.