The City of Toronto has opened applications for its Deep Retrofit Challenge, which aims to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from buildings in Toronto, in support of the City’s TransformTO Net Zero climate action strategy. Through this challenge, the City will provide funding to support deeper-than-planned energy retrofits in 10 to 16 privately-owned buildings, with the goal of accelerating emissions reductions and identifying pathways to net zero that can be replicated in other buildings.

The Deep Retrofit Challenge is funded through a $5 million investment provided through Natural Resources Canada’s Green Infrastructure – Energy Efficient Buildings Program. Selected projects will receive a grant equal to 25 per cent of their total project costs up to a maximum of $500,000 (depending on gross floor area and building performance) to offset the incremental design and construction costs required to achieve maximum emissions reductions. Buildings must be located within Toronto and be an Ontario Building Code Part 3 building (i.e. greater than 600 square metres or greater than three storeys).

Eligible buildings include:

• Multi-unit residential buildings (condominiums, apartments, etc.)
• Commercial office buildings
• Mixed-use buildings (residential and commercial, including residential over commercial)

Eligible projects must:

• Involve a deep retrofit that reduces both GHG emissions and energy usage by at least 50 per cent
• Meet a 20-year payback period or better
• Be completed and operational by January 1, 2025

Projects must use a comprehensive whole-building approach, considering how components of the building work together as an integrated system.

Eligible measures include:

• Building enclosure improvements such as insulation, high-performance windows and air sealing
• Energy recovery (ventilation, drain or equipment)
• Electric heat pumps (ground or air-source) for space hating and hot water
• Renewable electricity generation
• Building controls

The Challenge will spur early, voluntary compliance with the City’s Net Zero Existing Buildings Strategy and advance the goals and targets of the TransformTO Net Zero Climate Action Strategy, including the City’s net zero by 2040 emissions reduction target. The projects will serve to demonstrate the deep energy retrofits needed to move buildings towards net zero emissions, with the goal of accelerating market adoption.

Applications for the Challenge will be accepted until 5 p.m. October 31, 2022.

More information is available on the City’s Better Buildings Partnership webpage.