Proposed regulations

Detached houses create about 28% of Vancouver's carbon pollution. That's why City staff are developing regulations for detached homes to move toward more energy-efficient equipment for space and water heating and cooling.

We are seeking your feedback on the proposals below, which are the first step we can take to start reducing emissions from existing detached houses.

Proposed update 1: time of hot water replacement

• Require electric hot water replacement equipment in all detached houses when a fossil fuel hot water system reaches its natural end-of-life. Examples of electric systems include electric hot water tanks or heat pump water heaters.
• Renewable gas option: homeowners can alternatively choose to install a new high-efficiency gas hot water system, and opt-in to use 100% renewable gas for the lifetime of that equipment.

Emissions breakdown for typical home (23% water heating, 65% space heating)

Proposed update 2: time of space heating replacement (large homes only)

• Require replacement of fossil fuel heating systems with electric systems (like a heat pump) when the current/existing fossil fuel equipment reaches its natural end of life or needs replacement.
• Renewable gas option: homeowners can alternatively choose to install a new high-efficiency gas space heating system, and opt-in to use 100% renewable gas for the lifetime of that equipment.
• As this switch is more expensive, we propose requiring this for larger homes only (the exact size threshold will be refined with your feedback through this engagement process) as they create the most carbon pollution and have the greatest ability to adapt.

Proposed update 3: air conditioner equipment standards

• Require anyone installing air conditioning for an entire house (vs. a portable unit), to install a two-directional heat pump that also provides heat.
• As opposed to a traditional air conditioner unit that only provides one-way cooling, heat pumps have a ‘reversing valve’ that allows it to work in both directions to provide cooling in the summer and heat in the winter.
• This would only apply to whole house, installed air conditioning and not portable air conditioning units.
• The added cost of getting a heat pump that works in both directions is $200-$600 on systems that cost thousands of dollars.

Proposed update 4: extensive home renovations

• Require homes undergoing extensive renovations to include additional energy efficiency improvements to help meet the 50% reduction goal. For larger renovations there will be a requirement to at least partially electrify.
• Renovations with a stated value of over $250,000 will be required to electrify their existing space heating and/or hot water systems (or perform equivalent emissions-reducing upgrades).