Heat Pump Case Study – H.W. Flesher Housing Co-Op

The H.W. Flesher Housing Co-Op is a 100 unit non-profit, independent housing cooperative in Vancouver, BC with a mix of market-priced and subsidized housing. The buildings were built in 1984 and heated by electric baseboards before upgrading.

The project was initially sparked by the installation of a single heat pump in the community hall. This inspired several residents to install heat pumps in their own homes, which led to the Board investigating the cost and feasibility of installing heat pumps in all units as a capital project.

The heat pumps represented an opportunity to reduce heating costs and improve comfort. The air-conditioning feature was a bonus that proved to be critical during the 2021 heat dome.

The project was approached as an investment in the value of the co-op’s assets and in the well-being of residents, not just a one-time cost.