Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Ottawa has announced another round of energy-efficiency retrofits at municipal buildings, continuing a multi-year program that has reduced greenhouse gas emissions while lowering operating costs across its facility portfolio.
Among the latest projects is a comprehensive retrofit of the Ottawa Public Library’s Carlingwood branch, where upgrades are expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by 31 tonnes while improving building performance and energy efficiency.
Work includes converting the entire facility to LED lighting and replacing the existing boiler with four hybrid heat pump units to be installed on the rooftop and in the basement.
Since 2023, the city has invested between $3.5 million and $4 million annually in building efficiency upgrades, using a combination of municipal capital funding and external incentives. According to the city, completed projects have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 1,200 tonnes of CO2 each year while generating about $300,000 in annual operating cost savings
Several additional retrofit projects are scheduled or already underway across the city’s building portfolio, including rooftop solar photovoltaic systems will be installed at Ottawa City Hall, the Charles Sim Municipal Workshop Complex and the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex in Orléans.
At the Cardel Recreation Centre, the city will replace a natural gas-fired dehumidification unit with an electric desiccant dehumidifier, a project expected to reduce annual emissions by 27 tonnes of CO2.
The Carleton Lodge Long-Term Care Facility will receive a new digital building automation system to replace an aging control system nearing the end of its service life. The upgrade is expected to improve operational efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 81 tonnes annually.
Also, Fire Station 23 will receive new LiteZone energy-efficient windows, cutting emissions by an estimated 12 tonnes of CO2 each year.
“When we talk about City buildings, we’re really talking about the spaces people rely on every day,” said Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. “These upgrades improve how our buildings operate, reduce emissions, and lower costs so more resources can go back into services for residents.”
Before the end of this year, 57 heat pump installations and 26 lighting projects in municipal buildings will be completed, according to a broader Building Retrofit Strategy.
