We can cut Hamilton’s residential emissions by 20% by 2030 at no cost? How can this be done? Read on.
A majority of Canadians believe the warnings from scientists about the growing dangers from climate change, that the source is the burning of fossil fuels, and they want to governments to act. But there is an oft repeated saying about politicians “they know what to do, they just don’t know how to get elected if they do it”. Sufficient action on climate change seems to fall into this category.
But there is one simple change that could eliminate a major source of emissions at no cost and make life cheaper for over 20% of Hamilton households by 2030.
It’s called a cold climate air-source heat pump. This is a well proven technology – basically a reverse air conditioner – that can eliminate the need for a gas furnace, provide heating and hot water, air-conditioning in the summer and avoid burning fossil fuels and the emissions that come from this.
Another reason to avoid gas in homes was exposed in a Harvard study. Cooking with gas stoves emits nitrogen dioxide and tiny airborne particles known as PM2.5, both of which are lung irritants. Nitrogen dioxide has been linked with childhood asthma. During 2019 alone, almost two million cases worldwide of new childhood asthma were estimated to be due to nitrogen dioxide pollution. An electric induction cooktop is a no brainer replacement for gas stoves.
But what is the state of play in Hamilton? The Province has set Hamilton’s target for new dwellings at 47,000 by 2030. That’s a 21% increase over the 222,800 in the 2021 census.
The City’s Community and Energy Emissions Plan – Recharge Hamilton – states that even by 2050 residential and commercial buildings are still projected to represent the second largest source of emissions in Hamilton, primarily from the use of natural gas for space and water heating, particularly in older, more inefficient homes.
To meet emission reduction goals, the City is developing Green Building Standards which contain many requirements. Yet nowhere in the draft version is there an explicit requirement for new builds to stop installing gas furnaces, water heaters and cookers. The standards just set a target level of emissions, which may still be met with gas equipment.
Given the resistance to change that seems to be such a barrier for action on climate change, as drafted, the Green Building Standards enable the possibility of 47,000 new homes being built with gas appliances.
When you are in hole, stop digging. Several municipalities in Canada have mandated that new housing construction should electrify all energy usage. This doesn’t play favorites on the way heating must be done. Air source, ground source or area heating are all options. Just not fossil fuels.
Hamilton 350 has provided City staff and Planning Committee with a proposal to enact a by-law to require full electrification of new residential buildings. This is a zero-cost way to cut emissions in 20% of the homes that will exist in 2030 and make a major contribution to Hamilton’s emission reduction goals. We encourage all concerned to take a hard look at the proposal, and its benefits, and act. Soon.
Action on this is urgent. We can’t wait. From tomorrow, any new home installed with gas equipment will be an emissions source for 20 years or more – the life of the equipment – while electrification will result in a permanent reduction. Do our politicians know what to do? Will they do it?
Dave Carson lives in Dundas and is a member of Hamilton 350, an organization that promotes action on climate change. Their campaign Heat Pumps for All can be viewed at https://350.org/hp4a/