Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

In 2014, buildings accounted for approximately 12% of Canadas greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Over 12% of households arex000D
condominiums, which is projected to rise as high as 53% within the next 20 years. HVAC energy use represents more than half ofx000D
energy consumption in these buildings, so reducing GHG emissions in this area can significantly affect building sector emissions.x000D
In Ontario, operational costs and GHG emissions associated with incremental electricity consumption during on-peak hours arex000D
much higher those associated with consumption during off-peak hours. As a result, shifting electrical load in multi-unit residentialx000D
buildings (MURBs) to off-peak hours has the potential to reduce costs and GHG emissions. Additionally, studies have shown thatx000D
central heating plants often operate at lower efficiencies for low loading periods so flattening the boiler load profile can potentiallyx000D
improve system efficiency and will reduce excessive cycling. Smart thermostats employing load shifting strategies can be used tox000D
optimize space conditioning profiles to reduce costs and emissions. In order to determine the impact of load shifting andx000D
occupancy-based control mechanisms in MURBs, 80 ecobee3 smart thermostats and energy monitoring equipment will bex000D
installed in two condominium buildings. This project will assess the how the smart thermostat's load shifting algorithm can reducex000D
GHG emissions in MURBs and develop a model to estimate this impact in other buildings. The study can be used to developx000D
future evidence-based energy conservation and demand response programs for MURBs and will be used to adapt ecobee`sx000D
technologies for use in the growing MURB sector.x000D