Energy efficiency and decarbonization
Heat pumps, heat recovery, energy codes and the path to low-carbon buildings. 18 guides.
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- Air-to-water heat pumps for commercial heating
Learn how air-to-water heat pumps produce hot and chilled water for commercial buildings, why supply water temperature matters so much, and how to size and integrate them in Canadian climates.
- Benchmarking building energy use
Learn how energy benchmarking works, which metrics and tools are used in Canada, where reporting is mandatory, and how to turn a benchmark into a prioritized list of HVAC improvements.
- Building energy modeling for HVAC design
Learn what building energy modeling is, when it pays to model during HVAC design, which tools and inputs matter, and how to tell a decision-grade model from a compliance exercise.
- Electrification of commercial heating
Learn the main routes to electrify heating in commercial buildings, why heat pumps are central, how cold climates and electrical service limits shape the design, and how to plan a phased transition.
- Embodied and operational carbon in HVAC systems
Learn what makes up the carbon footprint of an HVAC system over its life, why refrigerant leakage and provincial grid intensity matter so much, and how to compare options on a whole-life basis.
- Geothermal heat exchange for commercial buildings
Learn how commercial ground-source heat pump systems use the earth as a heat source and sink, how borefields are designed and tested, and why long-term thermal balance matters in heating-dominated Canadian climates.
- HVAC energy audits: ASHRAE Level 1, 2 and 3
Understand the three ASHRAE audit levels, what each delivers for HVAC systems, and how to use audit results to plan energy and carbon reduction projects.
- Heat pump retrofits in commercial buildings
A step-by-step look at retrofitting heat pumps into existing commercial buildings, including how to match heat pump types to existing systems and the practical issues that derail projects.
- Heat recovery strategies in commercial HVAC
Compare the main ways to recover heat in commercial buildings, including wheels, plates, run-around loops, heat pipes, heat recovery chillers and refrigeration heat recovery, and learn where each fits.
- Life-cycle cost analysis for HVAC options
Learn how life-cycle cost analysis works for HVAC decisions, which costs and assumptions belong in it, and how to present results so owners can choose between systems with confidence.
- Measurement and verification of energy savings
Understand how energy savings are measured rather than assumed, how to choose an IPMVP option, how baselines are built and adjusted, and what a credible M&V plan contains.
- NECB 2020 and HVAC compliance
An overview of how NECB 2020 treats HVAC systems, the prescriptive, trade-off and performance compliance paths, the new tiered structure, and the HVAC items that most often cause compliance problems.
- Net-zero ready building HVAC strategies
Learn what net-zero ready means for commercial buildings, why load reduction comes first, and the HVAC system approaches that consistently support net-zero energy and zero carbon targets in Canadian climates.
- Night setback and optimal start
Learn how unoccupied setpoints and adaptive start and stop algorithms reduce energy use, how to choose setback temperatures, and the control mistakes that erase the savings or cause morning comfort complaints.
- Reducing fan energy
Understand what drives fan energy, why airflow and pressure matter far more than motor efficiency alone, and which retrofit and design measures deliver the biggest savings.
- Reducing pump energy
Learn what drives pump energy in chilled water, hot water and condenser water systems, and the design, retrofit and control measures that reduce it without starving coils.
- Solar thermal and PV integration with HVAC
Compare solar thermal, solar air heating and photovoltaics as partners for commercial HVAC, and learn the design, code and control issues that decide whether solar energy actually reduces building loads.
- Utility incentives for HVAC upgrades in Canada
An overview of the incentive and financing programs available for commercial HVAC upgrades across Canada, how prescriptive and custom programs differ, and the steps that protect your eligibility.