Goal: By 2030, reduce emissions from residential buildings by 20 per cent and from large commercial buildings by 40 per cent.
Living in an energy-efficient home is good for the wallet, your health, and the planet. In Whistler, buildings account for the second most emissions in Whistler, particularly through fossil fuel usage. Big Move 5 encourages property owners to renovate existing buildings to improve efficiency, cut emissions, and support climate action. Retrofits include: upgrading to heat pumps, installing Electric Vehicle chargers, replacing windows, and upgrading attic insulation — all of which can have a big impact. Many upgrades qualify for grants and will reduce operating costs for property owners.
What we’re doing
- Champion the newly expanded Retrofit Assist program for homeowners.
- 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.
- Provide strata councils and property management companies with resources to accelerate the transition to energy-efficient retrofits.
- Collaborate with the Province of B.C. on the 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.
Small actions you can take
- Switch to a heat pump. Heat pumps are three to four times more efficient than fossil fuel heating, and they can cool your home in summer too. Find heat pump rebates from BC Hydro and the Government of BC.
- Book a home energy evaluation. Find out where your home is losing energy and how to fix it. Rebates are available to help cover the cost through Retrofit Assist.
- Choose renewable natural gas (RNG). RNG is made from organic waste and can lower the carbon footprint of gas appliances. Learn how to reserve your own supply.
- Seal up pesky drafts with simple DIY air sealing tools such as caulking, weather stripping and outlet foam gaskets.
Did you know?
- Energy upgrades to Meadow Park Sports Centre reduced emissions by 60 per cent and achieved a significant rate of return on the investment.
- Air leaking out through gaps or cracks in your building envelope can represent between 20 to 30 per cent of heat loss in older buildings.
RMOW divisions and key partners
Lead: Climate and Environment
Support: 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