Buildings and Construction
Getting to net zero depends heavily on the buildings themselves. Most campus emissions are tied to how buildings are designed, insulated, ventilated, heated, cooled, and equipped. The goal is simple to say and careful to do: make buildings efficient, convert remaining energy uses to electricity, and supply that electricity from renewable sources. It is always easier and less costly to build efficiency into new construction than to retrofit it later, but there is a clear path for existing buildings as well.
New Construction: Build it Efficient and All-Electric
When planning new cottages, apartments, or a community building, ask architects and engineers to design for low energy use from the start. A high-performance envelope with good insulation, careful air sealing, and appropriate windows will cut heating and cooling loads for decades. Right-sized electric systems, such as heat pumps for space conditioning and heat pump water heaters, can then meet those smaller loads reliably. Because tighter buildings need fresh air, include heat-recovery or energy-recovery ventilation so indoor air stays healthy without wasting heat or coolth. If possible, make roofs solar-ready and plan electrical rooms and conduits so on-site generation and future batteries can be added with minimal disruption. Materials also matter. Ask design teams to consider lower-carbon options and consult widely used guidance, with more detail provided in the standards section later in this chapter.
Existing Buildings: Upgrade the Envelope, Then Electrify
For buildings already in service, an Energy/GHG Audit is the best starting point. The audit will identify where heat is escaping, which equipment is driving energy use, and where improvements will have the greatest effect. Air sealing and insulation often provide immediate comfort and cost benefits. Window and door improvements, tune-ups to controls, and system tune-ups can correct years of drift in settings and schedules. As equipment reaches end of life, plan replacements with electric heat pumps for space conditioning and hot water. In larger buildings with central plants, electric boilers and commercial heat pump systems can tie into existing piping or ductwork. As you make these changes, add simple sub-metering or data collection where practical so you can verify savings and report progress.
Unit Turnovers: A Recurring Opportunity
Independent-living cottages and apartments turn over regularly. The short window between residents is an ideal time to improve efficiency and reduce emissions without disrupting daily life. A turnover checklist can include a blower-door test to find and fix air leaks, insulation upgrades suited to the local climate zone, and conversion of gas appliances to electric. Heat pumps provide efficient heating and cooling. Heat pump water heaters serve domestic hot water with much lower energy use. Induction cooktops improve indoor air quality and reduce combustion byproducts in the home. Ceiling fans, reflective roofing for sun-exposed units, and simple shading can reduce both heating and cooling needs. Water-saving fixtures are not an energy measure in themselves, but they support broader sustainability goals and can be done at the same time. SSAFE’s Unit Turnover Guide offers detailed recommendations and can be adapted to your campus.
Induction Cooking: Cleaner Kitchens and Better Control
Induction technology heats the pan directly, which makes cooking fast, precise, and efficient. It also removes an on-site source of combustion, which helps indoor air quality. Portable one- or two-burner units that plug into a standard outlet are useful for trials and demonstrations. Full cooktops and ranges typically require a 240-volt circuit. Residents can check pan compatibility with a simple magnet test. Many communities phase in induction stoves during routine replacements and provide brief orientation so cooks feel comfortable with the new controls.
Ventilation for Tight Buildings: HRV and ERV
As envelopes improve, controlled ventilation becomes essential. Heat Recovery Ventilators transfer heat between outgoing and incoming air and are a good fit for many climates. Energy Recovery Ventilators also transfer moisture, which helps in very dry winters and very humid summers. Either approach maintains fresh air while protecting the hard-won efficiency gains from air sealing and insulation. An audit or design engineer can help select the right option for each building.
Planning and Sequencing
Most building systems have long service lives. Coordinate upgrades with equipment replacement cycles and capital planning. Begin early discussions about permits, electrical capacity, and resident communication so projects proceed smoothly. Pilots can reduce risk. For example, upgrade one laundry room or one apartment stack first, measure the results, and use those findings to refine the broader rollout.
Trigger Events
One of the best times to make sustainable changes is when a “trigger event” occurs, which is a natural moment when equipment or buildings already require attention. These include:
- End-of-life replacements (boilers, furnaces, water heaters, stoves, vehicles).
- Renovations or expansions.
- Routine unit turnovers.
- Damage or failure that requires immediate replacement.
Instead of defaulting to a like-for-like fossil fuel replacement, use these trigger events to introduce electric and efficient alternatives. While the upfront cost may be higher, aligning upgrades with natural replacement cycles avoids wasting money on short-lived fixes and accelerates progress toward net zero.
Measuring What Improves
Track Energy Use Intensity and greenhouse gas intensity before and after major changes. Building-level metrics, combined with real-world feedback from residents and staff, will show which measures deliver the best return on comfort, reliability, and emissions reduction. These data also strengthen the financial case for the next round of improvements.
