Last week, my colleague Ian McLeod and I had the privilege of joining industry leaders in Ottawa for the Toward Net-Zero Renovations Roadmap Bootcamp 2.0. Net-zero builders, policymakers, and innovators gathered to discuss best practices, reflect on progress, and identify what’s needed to further scale deep energy retrofits.
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The journey to Ottawa was a challenge, but the event was worth it. A heavy snowstorm turned the airports into a bit of a “zoo”, and some attendees couldn’t make it. Ian ended up driving nine hours from Fredericton, and I arrived just in time after flying back from visiting my family in China.
It was an honor to participate in the panel discussion on Virtual Home Labeling (VHL), alongside colleagues from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Canadian Association of Consulting Energy Advisors (CACEA) , Properate, and OPEN Technologies. Everyone agreed that virtual home labels are a powerful entry point into the home retrofit journey. As a data scientist, discussing how our models translate into real-world home improvements is what drives my work every day.
Here are a few of my key takeaways from the Bootcamp:
It was very encouraging to see how local municipalities are not just following but actively leading the success of net-zero initiatives across the country. Halifax, for example, offers creative project financing options for homeowners, which have accelerated the rate of net-zero retrofit projects. By piloting innovative solutions, municipalities are creating the necessary momentum for the rest of the industry to move toward net-zero.
We took a deep dive into the Toward Net-Zero Roadmap, and it is clear that the sequence of renovations is crucial to a successful, cost-efficient project. Homeowners benefit most from a clear path: starting with light upgrades, moving to deep retrofits, becoming net-zero ready, and finally reaching full net-zero. I especially enjoyed the role-play workshop hosted by Volta Research. It was a valuable exercise to step into the homeowner’s shoes and see the process through their eyes.
The data EnviroCentre presented on social housing was quite powerful. Their case studies demonstrated that net-zero retrofits can reduce utility costs by up to 80%. When you factor in current financial incentives, the annual savings can actually exceed loan payments by more than 20%. This makes the case for deep energy retrofits as a tool to address the affordability crisis, while offering other benefits, such as a more comfortable, durable home.
In our panel, we discussed how virtual and onsite programs are complementary. VHL systems are powerful entry points for homeowners, helping them understand their homes, identify retrofit opportunities, and recognize the comfort, cost, and safety benefits of upgrades. At Climative, virtual labeling is not just about a score or a rating. It is about generating a personalized roadmap to help a home reach net-zero.
We often talk about energy savings and emissions, but the human element is just as important. The climate crisis is affecting the insurability of homes, putting families at great physical and financial risk. A holistic approach to retrofits improves a home’s durability and resilience against severe climate events, while also making it more comfortable, efficient, and healthier for families.
Many thanks to the CHBA Net Zero, NRCan, and my fellow panelists for such thoughtful discussions. I am returning to my data sets with a renewed sense of purpose, eager to help make Canadian homes more comfortable and sustainable.
Tian is a dedicated and creative statistical modeler who leads the development of Climative’s data strategy and machine learning algorithms. She believes that ethical and thoughtful use of AI will help us achieve climate goals while creating equal opportunity for all.
Climative provides a collaborative AI-assisted data platform for organizations to enable personalized advice and offers to building owners, taking the guesswork out of building upgrades and transforming the low carbon economy.
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