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Sundance Housing Co-op deep energy retrofit

The Sundance Housing Cooperative has been a leader in affordable housing, community living and environmental responsibility for more than 40 years. Now, Sundance is leading the largest panelized Deep Energy Retrofit ever undertaken in Canada.

Image of pre-fabricated, fully-finished wall being hoisted into place.
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Image of pre-fabricated, fully-finished wall being hoisted into place.
Two finished Sundance units
underconstruction exterior wall
Two Sundance buildings during/before the retrofit
Two Sundance building after the retrofit
Nearly complete retrofit
Pre-fabricated walls prior to installation
Exterior prepped to receive new walls
Crane preparing to move new panel into place
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Building photo:

Edmonton, Alberta

This retrofit reduces the energy needs of Sundance Housing's buildings by 70-80%, and eliminates the need for gas lines. The Co-op is installing solar panels that will produce more than 75% of the remaining energy demand. The balance will be purchased from off-site renewable sources.

Before & After

BEFORE

AFTER

ENERGY 
CONSUMPTION
BEFORE
GJ/year
AFTER
GJ/year
COMFORT
BEFORE
Dry, some units with cold spots, not airtight
AFTER
Cosy and fresh with healthy humidity
BUILDING CONDITION
BEFORE
Solid, but with substantial exterior work needed in the near future
AFTER
Modern new look with minimal maintenance needed for many years
RENEWABLES
BEFORE
None
AFTER
Offsite renewable power and rooftop solar
WAll Insulation
BEFORE
2x6 16’OC with nominal R20 fibreglass - ~R15 effective
AFTER
R 41 - Original wall plus new panel - with 8” of dense cellulose
Ceiling Insulation
BEFORE
R 28 Cellulose
AFTER
R 78 - Original R28 plus R50 in new scissor trusses
Foundation Insulation
BEFORE
Partial (top 4’) R10 (nominal) frost wall
AFTER
Upper 2’ - R30 panel support box beam plus original R8 (effective) frost wall. Lower 6’6” - 5” of R 25 NeoporEPS
Windows
BEFORE
~ R3 (COG) PVC frames dual glazed
AFTER
Fibreglass frames with R 8.6 triple glazing: ~R5 effective
Ventilation
BEFORE
None
AFTER
Lifebreath 267 MAX Heat Recovery Ventilators: 80% efficient with ultra-efficient motors
Heating
BEFORE
Mid- and high-efficiency gas furnaces
AFTER
Daikin cold climate air source high-efficiency electric heat pump
Cooling
BEFORE
None
AFTER
Daikin cold climate air source high-efficiency electric heat pump
Hot Water
BEFORE
Gas hot water tank
AFTER
AO Smith Air Source Heat Pump water heater
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Contents

Project Info

Building Type
Housing Co-op
Retrofit Type
Site Built, Deep Retrofits
Retrofit Status
Building Year
1978
Retrofit Year
Builder (Retrofit)
Energy Advisor
Funded By
NRCan

Technical Documents

Hot 2000 Report
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