Volume 3 - Program & Project Ideas (PDF - 4.5 - Natural Life Network

Natural Resources Canada – Community Energy Systems
-Additional resources
NRCan www.oee.nrcan.gc.ca
The Commercial Building Incentive Program provides financial assistance to owners that
incorporate energy efficient measures into the design of new buildings, provided the
design exceeds the requirements of the Model National Energy Code for Buildings by at
least 25 percent.
The Energy Innovators Initiative helps building owners invest in energy-saving retrofits
by providing financial incentives, information, advice, audits and planning assistance.
B.2.1.5 Energy efficiency retrofit of commercial and institutional buildings
- Case study: Toronto, ON
The City of Toronto is undertaking a major building retrofits initiative to curb CO2
emissions. Launched in 1996, the Building Better Partnership (BBP) program retrofits
institutional, commercial and residential buildings for energy efficiency. Retrofits
generally repay their capital investment in reduced energy bills over a period of three to
10 years. Significant results have occurred in the first four years of the program.
• Retrofit efforts have reduced annual greenhouse gas emissions by 110
kilotonnes.
• Annual building operating costs have been reduced by $11.8 million
• 3,000 person-years of employment have been created.
The BBP is being expanded into a full-scale initiative with the goal of a three-megatonne
(Mt) annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and the creation of 90,000 personyears
of employment, by 2005.
There are six separate programs of BBP:
• The Residential Energy Awareness Program: increases public awareness of
energy efficiency and conservation in the residential sector;
• The Large Office Building Program;
• The Small/Medium Commercial Buildings Program: provides tools and
awareness to realize energy and cost savings;
• The Multi-Residential Non-Profit Buildings Program;
• The In-House Energy Efficiency Program: retrofits municipally owned
buildings; and
• The BBP Loan Recourse Fund: provides loans for energy efficiency retrofits.
Other impacts:
• The programs reduce energy consumption, peak utility loads and related costs,
CO2 and other emissions that lead to climate change, and poor air quality
including smog.
• Water consumption and water costs are reduced through the installation of
water-efficient technologies and measures.
• Knowledge and awareness of the benefits of energy and water-efficiency
technologies and measures are increased through the implementation of
seminars, workshops and training programs for building owners, operators
and tenants.
• Indoor air quality and building occupant comfort is improved.
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