Retrofits for tenants and landlords
In the news…
Earlier this year, builders completed what might seem like a standard high-rise in Brampton, Ontario, a rapidly growing suburb of Toronto. Dubbed Uniti, the project is a purpose-built rental apartment building with 302 units next to a commuter rail station.
But what makes this development – which includes 12 deeply affordable apartments to be operated by a local non-profit – unusual is that it is hooked into a geo-exchange system. That means it is tapping the earth’s heat, rather than conventional gas-fired boilers, to warm and cool the building’s interior spaces.
According to Adam Molson, vice-president of the Daniels Corporation, the project’s developer, Uniti is one of the first completed projects in the company’s 2030 decarbonization strategy, which begins with geo-exchange systems or air-source heat pumps in all its new rental projects, followed by the use of low-carbon concrete, efficiency improvements in the building’s exterior walls, rooftop solar and mass timber.
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Weatherproofing
Tenants often think of rugs/drapes/window insulation to prevent heat loss. What other, methods can tenants use to improve the weather resistance of your home? If alterations of the building are necessary, how is that negotiated, and what is a fair way to deal with the cost? What has your experience been with landlords and weatherproofing?
If you’re a landlord, how do you work out difficulties with tenants on this topic?
Smart home
Many smart home appliances are not only economical, but they belong to the tenant and can be taken when moving. As a tenant, what smart appliances have you found the most useful and economical?
Heating and cooling
When you don’t own your heating system, you often don’t get much input on improvements. As a tenant, what methods have you found useful in working out problems of efficiency?
If you are a landlord, what would you like your tenants to know about how to best use the heating system?
EV chargeers / battery storatge
EV chargers are still controversial. As a tenant, do you think an EV charger should be required of landlords? Would you consider contributing to the cost of installation?
Solar
Solar power is another area where tenants could feasibly install smaller units for personal use. Would you be interested in doing so, if it proved to be a good financial fit for you?
As a landlord, do you feel the appearance of tenant solar panels might be unsightly? Would you be willing to participate in a project to esablish some kind of munincipal standards for tenant solar panels?