A new 73-unit townhome and condo community is coming to Barrie that will be sustainably heated and cooled using a dedicated geothermal system.

The system is designed, built and operated by Enbridge Sustain, which is partnering with developer SEAN on the project. In addition to a geothermal heating and air conditioning system, the eco-friendly units include solar shading devices, biophilic balconies, a smart home system, cross laminated timber, an optional ev-charging station and solar panels.

SEAN has been building sustainable communities across Ontario, with a portfolio of more than 1,000 homes in Barrie. “We’re utilizing geothermal through Enbridge Sustain who took on the up-front capital costs enabling us to start on early infrastructure to then lease to the customers over time without increasing the cost,” said Sean Mason, vice president of sales, land acquisition and marketing, sustainability initiatives.

Once complete, the community will include 38 condos that use geothermal for HVAC and 35 townhomes that use geothermal HVAC, as well as hot water. Geothermal systems are said to save up to 60 per cent on heating costs and up to 50 per cent on cooling costs.

Higher capital costs are one barrier that comes with adopting clean energy technologies. As Enbridge Sustain Vice President Mark Irvine noted maintenance and operations are other issues. We’re helping to make the adoption of sustainable energy technologies convenient and hassle free through a suite of affordable and dependable turnkey solutions including geothermal, solar, electric and hybrid heating and electric vehicle chargers,” he said.