The City supports its TransformTO Net Zero Strategy by implementing energy management programs in its facilities. These programs reduce energy use, improve energy resilience and help manage costs.

The City’s Energy Conservation & Demand Management Plan profiles over 600 of the City’s corporate buildings based on energy use and operation type. The plan helps the City to identify buildings with the highest potential for energy savings.

The plan has been updated in accordance with the Ontario Government’s Electricity Act Regulation 507/18.

Several City sites employ Building Automation Systems, which optimize the performance of a building’s heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration and lighting control systems.

The benefits of Building Automation Systems include:

  • Extended HVAC equipment lifecycle costs
  • Reduced operational labour costs
  • Reduced utility consumption and demand
  • Monitoring and maintenance of indoor air quality
  • Improved occupant comfort and productivity
  • Improved reporting
  • Provide the data required for advanced troubleshooting and diagnostics to make informed decisions

The City manages its energy costs by purchasing and hedging energy commodities directly in the wholesale markets for City-owned operations and its Agencies and Corporations. This program also includes managing and selecting the most cost effective energy rates.

To meet the Net Zero Emissions by 2040 target established by the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy, the City developed the Corporate Real Estate Management Net Zero Carbon Plan, which applies to all City-owned facilities. This strategy will also address adopted Council Motion IE26.16.1f, which states that “as of 2023, any new equipment being installed in a City facility must contribute to net zero and all new buildings be designed and built to net zero”.

The Plan initiatives, which will support the City in achieving a net zero emissions building portfolio by 2040 are:

  • Fuel Switching and Efficiency Retrofits
  • Lower Carbon New Builds
  • Strategic Divestment
  • On-Site Renewables and Storage
  • Training and Education
  • Enhanced Use of Building Performance Data
  • Carbon Off-Sets and Off-Site Renewables

All City Agency, Corporation and Division-owned new buildings and additions greater than 100 m2 will be designed and constructed to Toronto Green Standard (TGS) Version 4, beginning in May 1, 2022.

Toronto Paramedic Services Multifunction Paramedic Station (300 Progress Avenue)

70 per cent of the net-zero target will be achieved through:

  • Building placement and orientation to optimize solar gains
  • High performance building envelope (R-40 walls and R-50 roof)
  • Triple glazing
  • Well calibrated window to wall ratio
  • Decoupled ventilation
  • Hydronic floors to heat and cool the building from geothermal wells, and;
  • Displacement ventilation throughout
  • Overhead doors, interior vestibules on both sides of vehicle bay

Onsite renewable energy includes:

  • South facing solar wall
  • PV canopy to northern parking lot (60 per cent coverage approximately 100 parking spots)
  • Ground source heat pumps

Mass timber construction will be used, which will reduce embodied carbon, as the project targets for CaGBC Net Zero Carbon certification.

For more information on this project: Toronto Paramedic Services Multi-Function Station

All City-owned facilities will undergo fuel switching and energy efficiency retrofits (where feasible).

Lighting retrofits in 33 ice rinks and 26 City arenas are reducing energy bills and improving client enjoyment of the sites.

Water fixture retrofits at Metro Hall and City Hall are avoiding operation costs and helping the City reduce its water use.

LED lighting retrofits in pools, TPS stations, Long-term Care Homes and Civic Centres are resulting in reduced energy costs.

City Waterfront Building – 627/635 Queens Quay W

The Comprehensive Retrofit Project at the City Waterfront Building located at 627/635 Queens Quay West will transform it into a world-class building and contribute significant progress towards the City of Toronto’s vision for a low-carbon future. Once complete, building improvements will include:

  • Innovative hydrothermal HVAC using lake energy
  • Re-engineered HVAC system within the building
  • Updated building automation system (BAS)

TPS Headquarters

The TPS Headquarters facility at 4330 Dufferin Street houses Toronto Paramedic Services, Fire Services and Police Services staff, and is currently undergoing a deep energy retrofit. Once complete, building improvements will include:

  • 500 kW solar PV canopy installed over the parking garage
  • Electrified heating system with geo-exchange, air source heat pumps and a heat recovery systems
  • Exterior LED lighting retrofit

Etobicoke Olympium

The Etobicoke Olympium is a multi-function facility at 590 Rathburn Road that is currently undergoing a deep energy retrofit. Once complete, building improvements will include:

  • LED lighting retrofit
  • Pool make-up water conservation system
  • Building Automation System controls upgrade
  • Air Source Heat Pump for building heating/cooling

To help the City reach its target of Net Zero by 2040 and t control energy costs, it uses the EnergyCAP program to track and verify energy and cost data for City-owned facilities (4,500 utility accounts).

Learn more about the City’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory.

The City produces an annual Energy Consumption & Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report to comply with the Ontario Government’s Electricity Act Regulation 507/18. The most recent dataset can be downloaded from the City’s Open Data portal.