HOW TO POWER BUILDINGS FOR NET-ZERO FUTURE

BUILD FOR NET ZERO STEP 04

Electrification should happen concurrently with broader energy efficiency projects. Reducing demand makes electrification less costly. With a compelling business case, funding and clear priorities, it’s time to move into execution, starting with capital-efficiency upgrades that reduce demand while improving comfort and performance. Once you’ve reduced energy demand, you can start planning the phased replacement of fossil fuel-based systems

with electric alternatives. Here, it’s worth remembering that advancements in technology mean that electric alternatives are as good or better than traditional systems. This means you don’t have to sacrifice building comfort, quality or air quality. The best approach to both will depend on your building’s type, local climate, infrastructure limits and available budget, but there are proven steps you can take, including:

Replacing gas-fired boilers and furnaces with air- or ground-source heat pumps Electrifying hot water systems using heat pump water heaters Swapping out gas cooking appliances with induction technology

LED lighting retrofits

Automated lighting and HVAC controls, measures including occupancy sensing, timeclocks and daylight harvesting Envelope enhancements such as sealing or insulation upgrades Replacing variable refrigerant flow systems with lower global warming potential refrigerants Upgrading advanced building controls or building management systems

Upgrading ventilation and distribution systems to support new HVAC loads

PROJECTS

Integrating on-site renewables (e.g. solar PV) into designs

EFFICIENCY

UPGRADES &

IMPROVEMENTS

ELECTRIFICATION