Impact Of Mandating Mechanical Cooling System in Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
Posted on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025
The rise in global temperatures is leading to extreme summer season heat events, which are having adverse effects on the health and safety of individuals inside buildings. In Canada, building regulations are evolving to mandate at least one dwelling space in residential units to have cooling system to reduce the negative impacts of extreme heat on the well-being and safety of residents. One such proposal is currently being discussed by the National Model Code Committees of the Canadian Board for Harmonized Construction Codes. However limited data and information is available, especially in the context of building regulations, to assess the anticipated outcome of these modifications to the building regulations. This project aims to fill that gap by assessing the energy and cost implications of mechanical cooling systems in multi-unit residential buildings.