Vancouver, B.C. — “Extreme heat is no longer an abstract concern in British Columbia. It is a life-safety risk that is already impacting how people experience the one place they should feel most at ease: home,” according to a newly published report, titled Cooler Condos, conducted by the Zero Emissions Innovation Centre (ZEIC) via its Strata Energy Advisor program and in partnership with the Condominium Home Owners Association of B.C.
Aimed at Strata owners, residents, and councils, its intended purpose is to educate people on the risks related to overheating and solutions to address them. In strata housing, the owners own their individual strata lots and together own the common property and common assets as a strata corporation.
The first option listed is to implement active cooling, including heat pumps or conditioners. The report goes into detail about the benefits of various types of heat pumps, including centralized, mini-split, through-wall, and window-mounted. The report also mentions the benefits of adding an ERV or HRV system.
Passive cooling options, such as operable windows or shades, are highlighted as important steps to reduce the risk of overheating.
According to the report, by 2050, the communities of Victoria, Vancouver, and Kelowna will each experience increases of 300 per cent, 400 per cent, and 73 per cent in the average number of days above 30 degrees Celsius per year. This is significant given that more than one-quarter of British Columbians live in condos or apartments.
Overheating occurs in buildings when heat builds up indoors faster than residents can remove it, due to limited ventilation, shading, or cooling options.
The guide states that heat-vulnerable buildings are designed without central air conditioning, are poorly ventilated, and have minimal insulation. These buildings are also located in “urban heat islands,” denser areas with less vegetation and extensive paving that capture and hold onto heat.
Additionally, suites are considered heat-vulnerable because they are located on upper floors, have large south- or west-facing windows without exterior shading, and lack a source of mechanical cooling.