Shortly after moving into our home in 2022, we decided to upgrade our electrical service so we could accommodate a new mini-split heat pump system and solar panel (PV) array. These upgrades lowered our energy bill considerably, improved the comfort of our home and reduced our EnerGuide rating from 90 to 20 gigajoules (GJ) /year! We took advantage of the multiple rebates that were available to make the cost of the project more affordable
We have had the heat pump for one winter and our tenants could not be happier, the heating is very smooth and the unit is basically silent in operation. We searched for one that was variable speed as we wanted it to be quiet. The rebate covered 80% of the cost, so the replacement was the same cost as a furnace.
We installed our heat pump system a year ago and we’re very happy with it. We did it for climate reasons, wanting to reduce our household GHGs. But we also appreciate the other benefits – it feels healthier having the gas out of our home and the cooling on hot summer days is a real bonus. It felt very satisfying to turn off the gas line to our home.
We’ve only had our heat pump for 3 months, but have noticed an immediate difference in the comfort of our home. The temperature remains consistent throughout the house and with the increased efficiency and reduced GHGs, we can keep the temperature at a more comfortable setting. We are also looking forward to cooling and better air quality in the summer.
Most potential buyers considered our 1912 house a tear down. But we saw it had good bones and was solid. After all, the greenest house is the one that already exists. We wanted to demonstrate that virtually any old house can be made highly energy efficient, aesthetically pleasing and sound for another century. All our systems were dated and due for replacement. The solar estimate we received, combined with energy modelling showed the house could be powered by solar panels on our roof. A pre-renovation blower door test showed us how leaky the house was and helped us set the road map of upgrades with the goal of reaching net zero. We did it!
We got lots of help and encouragement from the local authorities. The City’s Community Energy Specialist turned us on to many city, regional and provincial resources. This was a complex renovation, and we feel fortunate to have had the time and resources to do it in one shot. We are thrilled with the results. We were inspired by the City of Victoria Climate Leadership Plan (CLP) goal to reach an 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and transition to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.
We documented the whole process of the 18 month renovation in a house website in hopes of helping others on their journey to reducing their carbon footprint and relying only on renewable energy to power their homes.
As part of a major upgrade to our 1913 house in Esquimalt, we replaced an oil furnace with a heat pump, and have been very happy with it. We now spend about $480/year on heating, which is pretty good for a 2150 sq. ft. older house. We also replaced our windows and added insulation so our house is now pretty efficient, given its age. We love our heat pump, and the fact that it’s close to zero carbon is a big plus for us.
We love our heat pump! It keeps our home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. When we renovated to include a home music studio, we decided to install a heat pump to help our household be more energy efficient. The upfront costs were worth it – we love how well the heat pump works to keep our house at a comfortable temperature, we appreciate the savings on our energy bills, as well as the peace of mind of knowing we’re doing what we can to be more energy efficient.
We turned off one forced air furnace, five baseboard heaters and two in-floor heaters, and now heat our entire home with two mini-split heat pumps (with the combined electricity use of one baseboard heater). I love that energy-saving, environmentally-friendly math!
We’ve had our heat pump for over 5 years and really appreciate the efficient heating and cooling it provides. In addition to improving the comfort of our home, we also feel good about how much easier our heat pump is on the environment compared to heating and cooling systems that use fossil fuels.
After purchasing an Electric Vehicle in January 2020, I began looking for ways to reduce my overall electrical consumption. My electrical bills were high due to an electric in-floor boiler and space heating in the garage. I opted for a heat pump because it provided the benefits of heating and cooling in addition to a great resale feature when I decide to sell the home. I anticipate substantial savings over the coming year with my heat pump!
The Home Energy Navigator Program acknowledges that it conducts its business on the Traditional Territory of the Lək̓ʷəŋən speaking peoples. We recognize the First Nations governments across this region-Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees) and Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) Nations here in the core area, the W̱SÁNEĆ Nations {W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱,(Tsawout) W̱SIKEM (Tseycum)} out on the Saanich Peninsula and Gulf Islands, to the west Sc’ianew (Beecher Bay), T’Sou-ke, and Pacheedaht, and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) and Pune’laxutth’ (Penelekut) Nationsconnection to the land that continues to this day.