Green Buildings

Area: Old City
Homeowners	Howard and Gayle
Type of building	Single Family Dwelling
Primary Heating Source (before retrofit)	Natural Gas furnace
Primary Heating Source (after retrofit)	Dual Split Heat Pump
Secondary Heating source	Natural Gas Fireplace
Initial Assessment score - GJ	181 GJ per year
Follow up Assessment score - GJ	65 GJ per year
Improvement (GJ per year reduced)	116 GJ per year
Initial emissions (tCO2e per year)	8.1 tCO2e per year
Follow up emissions (tCO2e per year)	1.1 tC02e per year
Improvement (tCO2e per year reduced)	7 tCO2e per year
Actions Taken	Heat pump replaced an old gas furnace On-demand hot water- gas system Window film coating Better weather stripping around windows and doors (DIY) Added insulation to the basement/crawl space during cosmetic reno’s  (DIY)
Reason for retrofit	To replace an old gas furnace and improve energy efficiency in the home
Key Challenges	The rebate program can be complex, “It’s cumbersome but worth it.”  The approved contractor list can be a barrier, it wasn’t always clear where an approved contractor is required.   Staff note:  We understand applying for rebates and finding approved contractors can be a challenge, the free Home Energy Navigator program can help Nanaimo homeowners with this process.
Benefits Realized	The Heat pump is the biggest benefit. “I have never experienced a more efficient way to heat my house.”  Other benefits are comfort (consistent and comfortable temperature)) and it’s nice to know our home is climate friendly.    Having a ductless system (two exterior units) allows us to have different systems running at different temperatures within the home.
Advice for others	Start with the easy stuff, like do-it-yourself air sealing.   Easy if you can do some of the upgrades as DIY- might not be doable for everyone.   Can’t recommend a heat pump enough- can’t think of a reason not to get one.  More comfortable and more convenient.  Take advantage of rebates.   Hot water on demand is worth it- expensive at first- but only needs to be done once and is extremely efficient.   No risk of water damage if the tank breaks and takes up significantly less space.
Key Quote	“The most sustainable home is one already built”

When the gas furnace on Howard and Gayles character home in the Old City broke, the couple saw it as an opportunity.  Instead of replacing the furnace with another one like it, they decided to install a heat pump.  Despite having existing duct work in the home, the couple chose to install a ductless system to allow them to have different systems running at different times.  Ductless heat pumps include a head unit, or multiple head units that are mounted on an interior wall or ceiling, with an accompanying unit outside.  The outside unit extracts heat from the air, even when it’s cold.  Refrigerant carries the heat directly to the head(s) inside, which then delivers heated air to occupied space.  In warmer months, the system works in reverse for quiet and efficient air conditioning.

The cost of the heat pump installation was partially paid for through available government rebates.  After installing the heat pump, Howard noted “I have never experienced a more efficient way to heat my house.”  The couple quickly learned to appreciate the year's comfortable and consistent temperatures provided by the heat pump, and as Howard noted, “it’s nice to know our home is climate friendly.” 

In addition to the heat pump, the couple made a number of simple, do-it-yourself improvements to their home such as installing weatherstripping around doors and windows and adding insulation to the basement and crawlspace.  These changes helped prevent air leakage and improved the energy efficiency of their home.  Prior to and after doing this work, the couple had a home energy assessment done for their home, and took advantage of the City of Nanaimo rebate for the assessment.  By making these improvements, the couple was able to reduce the home's energy use from 181 GJ per year to just 65 GJ per year, a reduction of 116 GJ per year, reducing their energy bills.

By operating on electricity rather than fossil fuels, heat pumps produce significantly fewer (almost none) greenhouse emissions than natural gas or oil heated homes.  By switching to a heat pump and making simple repairs to their home's exterior, Howard and Gayle reduced their homes energy emissions from 8.1 tCo2e per year to 1.1 tCO2e.