A zero-carbon/net-zero-energy affordable housing project in Peel Region

The Regional Municipality of Peel (Peel Region) consists of the municipalities of Brampton, Caledon and Mississauga, serving close to 1.5 million residents. For the past 40 years, Peel Region has provided affordable housing through Peel Housing Corporation, which has an extensive portfolio of approximately 7,000 units. This initiative would add 151 units to the corporation’s affordable housing portfolio. This study will assess the feasibility of using several energy-efficient technologies to reach either a net-zero-energy or net-zero-energy-ready (NZER) standard as well as the Canadian Green Building Council’s (CaGBC) Zero Carbon Building Standard. Technologies under consideration include a highly insulated and airtight building envelope, efficient ventilation and mechanical systems, heat-recovery technologies, and green infrastructure opportunities. The study will also assess options that enhance tenant comfort, including air quality, thermal and acoustic comfort. Additionally, the applicant will build capacity by driving education and awareness campaigns to engage residents throughout the study process and the subsequent capital project. More precisely, the SAH study grant will support hiring a sustainability consultant to provide a life-cycle assessment for the building under consideration. The consultant will also develop and present four options for obtaining the CaGBC design certification and achieving the SAH environmental thresholds of 80 kWh/m2. Additionally, the applicant will complete a schematic design, an embodied carbon analysis and an assessment of the building's solar PV potential. Innovative aspect(s): This is the first SAH study that will conduct a life-cycle assessment of zero-carbon elements in conjunction with NZER features and affordability. Replicability: · The outcomes of this study would benefit future retrofitting or new-build initiatives, and may change the way tenants, staff and board members develop and operate new and existing buildings · A strong collaboration between industry and public-sector partners is anticipated through contracts for project delivery · Lessons learned from the project will be documented and shared with the industry and the public (Project description from original funding application)