Costing Analysis of Window Mounted Heat Pumps For Vancouver’s West End

Window-mounted heat pumps (WMHPs) are emerging as a practical, low-disruption retrofit option for older multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs), especially in dense neighbourhoods like Vancouver’s West End. With many buildings in the City of Vancouver and beyond facing rising energy costs, growing cooling needs, and aging windows, the study—prepared by FRESCo Building Efficiency for the City of Vancouver—explores whether these compact units that plug into standard outlets can offer a scalable path to electrification.

The case study draws on pilot projects in New York and Vancouver, a scan of 100 West End buildings, and cost modelling across multiple retrofit scenarios. It assesses where WMHPs can be installed, what window upgrades are required, and how costs compare between gas- and electrically-heated buildings.

The study includes:

• Building compatibility: An estimate of how many West End buildings can adopt WMHPs with or without window replacement, plus common installation barriers.
• Cost ranges: Per-suite cost estimates for full and partial WMHP installations. Findings show WMHPs are often cost-effective—particularly in electrically heated buildings—and remain competitive even when window replacements are needed.
• Window considerations: How window replacements enable installation, improve comfort, and influence total project costs.
• Scaling opportunities: Recommendations related to incentives, permitting, product standardization, and building targeting.

The case study is intended for policymakers, retrofit program designers, and housing providers. Strata councils and building owners may also find it useful when planning for electrification, cooling, and window renewal in older MURBs.

Read the Costing Study here.