Hot water at home

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Improving the efficiency of hot water heaters at home
The City of Vancouver regularly updates its building code requirements as technology improves and higher efficiency equipment becomes readily available.
Between Thursday, Nov 16 to Sunday, Dec 10, residents are invited to provide feedback on proposed changes to the Vancouver Building By-law that would require higher efficiency domestic hot water equipment in existing detached homes in two scenarios:
1. Home renovation over $75,000 would no longer be required to upgrade insulation and air-tightness, and instead would be required to replace existing hot water heaters with higher efficiency equipment (expected to begin in July 2024).
2. When domestic hot water equipment is replaced (expected to begin in January 2025).
"Higher efficiency" means equipment that is at least 100% efficient, which includes electric water heaters, electric heat pump systems, hybrid gas/electric systems, and high-efficiency gas heat pumps.
A series of exceptions are also being proposed to provide some flexibility in the early years of implementing the proposed changes.
The proposed updates to equipment standards would reduce Vancouver’s emissions by about 7,300 tonnes per year, every year once fully implemented (up to 22,000 tonnes per year reduction after three years of implementation, which is equivalent to taking 5,400 cars off the road).
Tell us what you think
Learn more and provide feedback by:
- Completing our short survey (Survey extended: please complete by Sunday, Dec 10).
- Reading the background information and FAQ section.
- Asking our team a question below, or by contacting green.buildings@vancouver.ca during or after the engagement period.
- Attending an online information session on Tuesday, Dec. 5 from noon–1pm.
Your feedback will inform these regulatory changes and results from this engagement process will be available with the staff report to Council in early 2024.