Capital Upgrades & Retrofits
The intricacies of EV infrastructure remain at odds with condo legislation
The electric vehicle landscape is complex, ever-changing and at the cutting edge of technology. For condominium corporations and their owners, this means that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Reducing embodied carbon in capital projects
Condo owners now have the opportunity to understand the embodied carbon impacts of capital replacements work at their buildings.
Climate change adaptation efforts unfolding
Canada’s newly finalized climate change adaptation strategy sets out objectives and attaches mid- to near-term targets to bolster resilience in five key action areas.
‘Windows’ of opportunity for home retrofits
In low-rise homes, including condos, up to 35 per cent of heated air can be lost through the windows during the heating season.
Ontario offers bonus incentives for retrofits
Bonus incentives for energy efficiency upgrades will be available to select commercial and multifamily landlords and condominium corporations in Ontario during the second and third quarters of 2023.
Ontario awaits patchy debut of discount power
Most condominium corporations and rental housing landlords will need to make capital investments in energy storage to realize the benefits of Ontario's ultra-low overnight electricity rate.
Existing condos: rising to modern standards
New regulations from multiple levels of government are forcing condominium boards and property management companies to consider more than just a simple cost-benefit calculation when examining repair and retrofit options.
Electric ride-sharing is the newest condo amenity
Residents of a freshly built mid-rise in the Annex neighbourhood of Toronto have a fleet of electric vehicles waiting for them to use, whether that’s for a trip around town, a weekend getaway to the cottage or visiting family out-of-province.
Unconventional ways condos can reduce capital project costs
Ongoing challenges to capital replacement project costs are wreaking havoc on already stressed reserve funds and causing anxiety for boards and property managers throughout the province.
Plugging into the future of EV charging
New buildings are subject to laws and regulations, which require them to be compatible with EVCs.
Greening Ontario’s housing sector
Ontario’s housing sector emits more greenhouse gas emissions than any other province, primarily due to its high population rate. In the province, residential buildings are
Reserve funds ignore climate target impacts
We should be asking our reserve fund planners to look at the Paris accord target dates and compare the end-of-life replacement of our gas-burning appliances against the target dates.
Scanning the road ahead for EV-ready condos
As the country moves to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, questions are brewing among people living in multi-unit dwellings.
Retrofit funds tied to equity capital prereq
Retrofit proponents unable to contribute at least $6.25 million in equity capital will have to look to third-party interveners in order to tap into the Canada Infrastructure Bank’s $2-billion fund for commercial buildings.
Digging into the coming geothermal boom
While the relevance of geothermal has been percolating for years, the buzz is that more developers are starting to pay attention.
Gaps flagged in new CDM programs
After 2022, companies must use their own funds to reimburse embedded energy managers, but will be offered “an enhanced level of technical support and resources.” It's a move some see as more short-sighted.
Creating a condo sustainability plan for 2021
A sustainability plan and budget should be made with the mindset of plan and prevent, instead of react and pivot.