SAH- King’s Daughters and Sons Apartments targeting Net Zero Energy Ready for a deep retrofit of 70-unit building in Ottawa, Ontario.

The King’s Daughters and Sons Apartments Incorporated (KDS) is recognized as the first affordable housing development for seniors in Ottawa, Ontario. Since 1964, they have provided a high quality of life for their tenants. However, the 58-year-old building structure is now due for a major life-cycle renewal.  KDS is targeting a Net Zero Energy Ready deep retrofit with an annual energy use intensity of less than 80 kWh/m2 per year. To reach these energy targets, a comprehensive package of energy-saving measures will be explored: a primary focus on envelope upgrades and HVAC upgrades, in addition to electrical equipment and building systems improvements. Furthermore, to achieve the ambitious TEUI, a secondary focus on roof mounted solar arrays providing hot water or electricity will be investigated. It is anticipated that the proposed upgrades will provide social and health benefits in improved ventilation, air-quality, greater comfort, and safer cooling system for residents.   The SAH study Grant will support the applicant in hiring consultants to complete the appropriate energy modelling, Class C budget estimate, impact and risk analysis, project pro forma, building condition assessment, and stakeholders and tenant engagement plans. Results from this study will support the organization in accessing additional funding from FCM for their capital project.

Innovative aspect(s):    • This proposal is using new and emerging technologies and designs coupled best practices in operation and tenant engagement, to bring a 1964 building to a Net-Zero Energy Ready level.    • The decision to study the option to re-use and upgrade the performance of the building, rather than demolish and rebuild, is relatively innovative for the affordable housing sector, and is new to the applicant.   Replicability:   Most of the affordable housing projects were constructed in the 1960s with similar design and systems. Therefore, this project has a high potential for replication as the projected cost and energy savings make for a compelling proposition for other affordable housing providers with similar building(s) in their portfolio.   Affordability:    • The retrofit improvements will significantly extend and increase the useful life of the units.     • All of the units will continue to be rented at 80% or less of MMR and the retrofits will result in reduced energy costs to tenants and the maintenance cost to the operator.  (Project Description from original funding application)