Clean technology solutions

Technologies to help electrify your building.

We’re dedicated to equipping you with the knowledge and resources needed to help power your building efficiently, save on energy costs and take climate action.

Electrifying your building can help you manage energy costs more effectively, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve the overall comfort for building occupants. In addition to these benefits, electrification of your building helps you align with the City of Toronto’s goal to reduce community-wide GHGs to net zero by 2040.

In Toronto, approximately 58% of GHGs come from residential and commercial buildings. Meeting the City’s ambitious net-zero goal requires accelerated action across the building sector to drive down emissions.

Did you know? Toronto Hydro is committed to doing our part to continue powering Canada's largest city safely, reliably and sustainably as electrification intensifies. Check out our current five-year investment plan to learn more about how we're working to serve Toronto's evolving electricity needs.

Electrifying your building doesn’t have to happen all at once. Get to know your building envelope and current energy usage (heat, hot water, etc.) first to identify areas where performance can be improved, then switch to electric when your fossil fuel-powered technologies reach end of life.

Ways to help electrify your building include, but are not limited to:

  1. Heating and cooling your building with an electric heat pump. Heat pumps are an energy-efficient option available for heating and cooling. Switching from a natural gas system to an electric heat pump can help you save on heating, cooling and operating costs. They work well in cold climates and can be seamlessly integrated with a building's existing mechanical system.
  2. Switching to a heat pump water heater. A heat pump water heater can be much more energy efficient than a gas water heater. It can also reduce operating costs and minimize GHG emissions, among other benefits.
  3. Installing electric vehicle (EV) chargers. EVs produce fewer GHG emissions than gas-powered cars. As more people switch to EVs, the need for charging infrastructure grows in both residential and commercial buildings. For residential properties, adding EV charging stations in parking areas is a valuable amenity that can attract and retain tenants or buyers. In commercial spaces, charging stations cater to employees and visitors while helping businesses meet sustainability goals, especially through fleet electrification.
  4. Improving the energy efficiency of your building. There are many ways to make your building more energy efficient, such as ensuring your building envelope is free of air leaks and upgrading or optimizing your Building Automation System (BAS). Visit our Offers and Rebates web page to discover incentive programs that support energy efficiency upgrades for your building.
  5. Installing solar panels to help power your business. You can reduce the cost of your solar project by participating in either our Net Metering Program or through Save on Energy's Retrofit Program.
  6. Installing a battery energy storage system so you can store energy from the grid or renewables, such as solar. These systems store electricity to be used when you need it.

Need support on your electrification journey? Our Climate Action team has a number of services and tools to help you during the feasibility, planning and design stages of your project. Visit our Climate Action web page to learn more, or reach out directly by sending an email to climateaction@torontohydro.com.

We have a variety of online tools, educational resources and financial incentive programs available for building owners looking to make sustainable, energy-efficient upgrades: