AET Group is an environmental consultancy firm committed to ecological, financial and social responsibility, working together to find innovative solutions and remembering that: “underneath it all, we’re human beings working with other human beings to make a difference both locally and globally.”
In 2020, AET Group’s head office in Kitchener, Ontario was evaluated and certified to the Canada Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Building Performance Standard, which included a zero-carbon transition plan to transition off of natural gas for all natural gas-consuming equipment (heating, hot water) through the installation of a cold climate heat pump.Â
Transitioning off natural gas supports AET’s Net Zero Carbon goal by 2030, the Region of Waterloo’s 50by30 community-led campaign, AET’s commitment to Environment Canada’s Net Zero Carbon by 2050, and AET’s commitment with The Impact Network of 100% GHG emissions reduction by 2030.
Installing a cold climate heat pump is a fairly straightforward process, although it did require some modest renovation work, including wall penetrations for pipe installation.
In 2022, AET’s head office in Kitchener used approximately 2,312m3 of natural gas, emitting 4.371 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Using the new heat pump, along with a policy of heating the building by zones so only the areas requiring heat are supplied, AET is looking forward to a significant drop in those numbers once the data is in.
They are also interested in sharing their experiences with other businesses to demonstrate changes that will help businesses shift towards carbon neutrality.
The Impact Network helps local businesses to adapt and thrive in the low-carbon transition. We provide training, resources, and 1:1 support to help our members measure and reduce their carbon footprint while saving money, building their brand, and becoming the supplier and employer of choice. Join us in making business better, together. Visit our website at https://www.sustainablewaterlooregion.ca/programs/impact-network or contact us at busdev@sustainablewaterlooregion.ca to learn more.
