{"id":4406,"date":"2019-06-25T22:12:56","date_gmt":"2019-06-25T22:12:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hihenergy.com\/?p=4406"},"modified":"2020-01-30T05:36:20","modified_gmt":"2020-01-30T05:36:20","slug":"feature-story-the-shift-to-all-electric-buildings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/impacteng.ca\/news\/feature-story-the-shift-to-all-electric-buildings\/","title":{"rendered":"Feature Story: The Shift to All Electric Buildings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A major shift in the building sector is taking place and you should be aware of the implications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rapid advancements in technology, government incentives and legislated carbon targets are creating the conditions for fuel switching from natural gas to electricity; known in industry as electrification<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, this shift to all electric buildings is no longer limited to new construction; it\u2019s becoming increasingly viable for retrofit applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This thinking should change the way you look at your next project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why and When for Electrification?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the primary reason for electrification is to help us to move toward a low carbon economy and to mitigate climate change, an additional benefit is improved comfort and delivery of air conditioning. In beautiful B.C., transitioning building HVAC and domestic hot water (DHW) systems from natural gas to electricity will significantly reduce building carbon emissions due to our relatively clean grid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Province of B.C. along with several municipalities like the City of Vancouver have set challenging but achievable goals to reduce emissions in buildings by 80% from 2007 levels by 2050. The clock is ticking on Vancouver\u2019s targeted 33% reduction by 2020 and the City recognizes that more accelerated action is needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CoV has planned for all new buildings constructed from 2020 onward to be carbon neutral in operations and that all new and replacement heating and hot water systems are to be zero emissions from 2025 onward.<\/u><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, you read that right. No natural gas equipment installed in less than 6 years. Government has certainly posed some aggressive targets to challenge the industry but, luckily, technology and experience has set us up for success!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Electric replacement technology is out there?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Traditionally, there have been several challenges with converting to electric systems that have, up to this point, been more easily answered by natural gas. These include power requirements, ability to deliver energy quickly and efficiently, and capital cost of equipment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are just three of the available technologies that we recommend to help overcome traditional barriers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n