Sundance Housing Rehabilitation Project

Lead Proponent

Sundance Housing Cooperative

Project Background

The Sundance Housing Co-operative demonstrated a first-in-Canada application of the Dutch Energiesprong approach to undertake panelized prefabricated deep energy retrofits on all 15 buildings (59 units) of its 1970s wood frame townhouse complex. The retrofit work was done in a fully occupied development without displacing occupants.

The project was implemented in two phases. Phase 1 focused on piloting the panelized prefabricated exterior retrofit process and technology on two housing units, and Phase 2 on the balance of the 57 units. The retrofit work involved the recladding of the units including the addition of insulation to the foundation walls as well as the addition of a new HVAC system (cold climate air source high-efficiency electric heat pumps). The project provided an opportunity to try new technologies and processes to achieve deep energy retrofits quickly with minimal disruption to residents and the mature landscaping, including digital capture, hydrovacing around foundations for insulation and panelization, and laparoscopic utility upgrading.

Energiesprong is a unique approach to retrofitting existing houses that aims to aggregate individual retrofit opportunities into large segments of demand for equipment suppliers and constructors, encouraging large scale investment and economies of scale in providing products and services to meet the retrofit demand.

Results

With the future addition of rooftop PV solar, the project is anticipated to achieve a net energy reduction of 94% and GHG emissions reduction of 84%.

The Project will contribute to building a retrofit economy by providing a business case for large-scale, cost effective deep energy retrofits that can be implemented across Canada.

Benefits to Canada

The project provided a replicable solution for deep energy retrofits for the existing housing stock that will lead to substantial GHG reduction and energy consumption reductions. In addition, the project provided a business case for deep energy retrofits that can be implemented across Canada and will inform mass industrialization pathways for Canada, considering the varied nature of the built form compared to Europe.

Next steps

Next steps will advance the market development to encourage more owners of multiple family units to undertake a deep energy retrofit.