Goal: By 2030, reduce emissions from residential buildings by 20 per cent and from large commercial buildings by 40 per cent.
- Natural gas usage in buildings represent the second largest source of emissions in Whistler.
The opportunity
- There is a huge opportunity to upgrade and renovate existing buildings to improve energy efficiency, lower emissions, and contribute to climate action by taking steps like upgrading to heat pumps and installing electric vehicle chargers. Even replacing windows and upgrading attic insulation can have an impact.
- Many upgrades qualify for grants and will reduce operating costs for owners.
- Energy upgrades to Meadow Park Sports Centre reduced emissions by 60 per cent and a significant rate of return on the investment.
Introducing the newly expanded free Retrofit Assist program for homeowners.
Key initiatives
- Address barriers to retrofitting existing buildings by supporting energy assessments, identifying the best opportunities with the highest returns.
- Develop a retrofit toolkit for home and business owners with best practice examples, available incentives and rebates, information on quality assurance standards, and recommended trades/installers that offer lower carbon retrofits.
- Incentivize energy efficiency and low carbon heating system retrofits through financial incentives such as municipal top-ups to existing grants.
- Discourage carbon-based heating of outdoor spaces, such as patio heaters, gas fire pits and heated driveways through policy and/or permit changes.
- Work with operators and managers of larger commercial buildings, including hotels, by sharing information on best practices and performance.
- Support strata councils and property management companies with resources to accelerate transition to energy efficient retrofits.
- Collaborate with B.C. government on proposed retrofit code.
- Advance a system of voluntary and mandatory energy benchmark reporting for large energy consumers.
- Demonstrate RMOW leadership by identifying retrofit opportunities in municipal venues.
What you can do
- Install an electric heat pump / air conditioner in your home. Heat pumps can be 300 per cent to 400 per cent more efficient than fossil fuel heating. The RMOW, in partnership with the province, is offering incentives up to $6,000 to switch from a fossil fuel heating system to a heat pump.
- Get a home energy evaluation. The RMOW is offering rebates to Whistler homeowners for energy evaluations, which will advise homeowners on how to reduce energy use and bills.
- Choose renewable natural gas, which is released from decomposing organic waste, for natural gas appliances. Learn more about RNG and reserving your own supply.
RMOW divisions and key partners
Lead: Infrastructure Services Department
Support: Environmental Stewardship, Planning Department, Facility Construction Management, Corporate and Community Services (for existing buildings)
Partnerships: BC Government, BC Hydro (for incentive programs), Canadian Homebuilders’ Association, Whistler Housing Authority