BC is experiencing more weather extremes, from unexpected freezing temperatures to heat domes that can leave those who do not have ready access to cooling in dire straits. As we reach new temperature highs, the calls to protect the health and safety of vulnerable residents become louder.

One of the technical solutions that is often recommended is the installation of low-carbon heat pumps as a means to address heating and cooling while reducing greenhouse gas emissions emitted through fossil fuel heating systems. As a recommendation it sounds simple, but in reality it is far more challenging, as those who live and work with residents and owners of 3 and 4 story buildings can attest.

Urban Climate Leadership in association with dozens of private, public and non-profit leaders have embarked on a process to multi-solve the challenges of transitioning to heat-pumps in low rise multi-urban residential buildings in British Columbia. The first phase of this process involved learning from existing efforts, identifying key actors and naming and framing the problem. This primer sets the stage for the next phase in this process – the identification of solution pathways.

This discussion primer is not intended to be a comprehensive overview of the recommended pathways that exist or could be suggested for transitioning to heat pumps in low-rise MURBs. It has been structured to (i) stimulate thinking across sectors, across tenure types and building energy profiles and, (ii) prepare participants to identify, deliberate and recommend the best course of action to advance the health, safety and resilience of residents living in 3 and 4 story residential buildings in BC.