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Effective envelope insulation and heating strategies in apartment buildings in mid-temperate regions: A case study of Nova Scotia, Canada

Abstract:

As a vast Northern nation, Canada faces unique challenges in addressing climate change. Indeed, almost 63% of total energy consumption in Canada is due to space heating. This investigation compares two energy efficiency options for an existent eight-apartment building located in the region of Nova Scotia. The first option (Option 1) corresponds to upgrading building envelope insulation with either low-thermal-resistance/low-cost material (sub-option 1-A) or high-thermal-resistance/high-cost material (sub-option 1-B). A second option (Option 2) consists of replacing the existing oil boilers with electric heaters. The life-cycle cost analysis pointed to insulation with higher thermal resistance (Option 1-B) as the best option, with fuel savings of 11.4%; 2-year simple payback; IRR and NPV of 53.7% and 28,284 €, respectively; and benefit-cost ratio of 6.67, demonstrating that there is plenty space to implement effective and viable energy efficiency measures in the residential sector of Nova Scotia and, by extension, in other populated mid-temperate latitudes around the world.