From Stalled to Streamlined: Retrofitting a 51-Unit Co-op in Burnaby

Retrofitting existing multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) with electric heat pumps is widely recognized as a critical pathway to enhancing occupant comfort, improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon pollution. With heat waves becoming more frequent, heat pumps improve comfort in homes thanks to the cooling they provide. Heat pumps use less energy than electric baseboard heaters, reducing electricity bills and the load on the electrical grid. As the emissions factor for gas is 16x higher than electricity, switching from gas heating to electric heat pumps greatly reduces a household’s carbon footprint.

Yet, despite mature technology and strong policy support, many heat pump projects stall due to perceived technical, regulatory, and organizational barriers. This case study documents a successful heat pump retrofit of a 51-unit B.C. townhouse complex that overcame these barriers through pragmatic design, contractor-led problem solving, and a streamlined municipal permitting process.

An experienced mechanical contractor (and B2E member), Combined Comfort Systems (CCS), replaced electric baseboard heating with multi-zone ductless heat pumps in individual units and a ducted system for the common areas. The result was a streamlined installation thanks to minimal permitting requirements and costs, ample electrical service capacity and unanimous resident approval based on expected reductions in space-heating electricity use of approximately 70–75%. The project demonstrates how municipalities can enable electrification retrofits by focusing on outcomes—safety and reduced electrical demand—rather than defaulting to complex and costly procedural requirements. 

 

Outdoor unit connected to three indoor heads

About the Project

The all-electric co-operative housing townhouse complex, located in Burnaby, B.C., was constructed in the 1970s and consists of 51 units, including one-, two-, and three-bedroom residences. Each unit is individually metered and was originally heated entirely by electric baseboard heaters. Domestic hot water is generated by electric hot water tanks. Common areas of the complex include a meeting room, laundry room and administrative office. The complex is served by a 1,200 A, 208 V, three-phase electrical service and each unit has a 100 A panel board.

Naturally, affordability, predictability of costs, and retrofit disruption were central concerns for the residents. For the two years preceding the project, the residents had explored heat pumps with other mechanical contractors but encountered uncertainty about feasibility, electrical capacity, permitting complexity, and cost. As a result, the prevailing perception was that a full conversion would be onerous, slow, and potentially risky. 

 

Contractor-Led Problem Solving 

The retrofit was never deemed impossible, but progress stalled for several years due to a several hurdles.  

The identified barriers were not uncommon for existing buildings:

• Concerns over electrical capacity, driven by an assumption that heat pumps would only add electrical load (for cooling) rather than replace a high electrical load (for heating)
• Fire separation and envelope penetration concerns, particularly in multi-unit buildings,
• Expectations of extensive engineering studies, electrical planning reports, and consultant involvement,
• Uncertainty over permitting pathways, especially for co-operative housing that does not fall neatly into strata regulations

Overall, the challenge was not technology, but assumptions about requirements and processes. 

The turning point came when CCS identified an alternative project approach.. As a vertically integrated contractor, they managed the design, permitting, and installation and as a result, greatly reduced the risk and friction for the co-op.  

CCS reframed the process by proactively presenting a technically grounded solution to the municipality rather than reacting to a list of conditions. Key elements of this approach included:

• Designing around fire separation concerns by surface-mounting refrigerant lines within suites and avoiding penetrations through fire-rated assemblies
• Minimizing the number of building envelope penetrations and using established weather-sealing practices
• Framing the project as a net electrical load reduction, supported by basic electrical load calculations that compared existing baseboard heating load to the projected heat pump load (at –8 °C).  

Crucially, the contractor took responsibility for navigating municipal requirements rather than passing that burden to the co-op. This single point of accountability reduced friction and built confidence among both residents and regulators. 

 

Indoor head inside bedroom  

A Streamlined Municipal Permitting Process 

Engagement with the City of Burnaby proved decisive. Instead of defaulting to a full mechanical or building permit application process, city staff worked with the contractor to identify what was actually necessary to ensure safety and code compliance. The streamlined permitting pathway included an electrical permit reflecting the changes to branch circuits and equipment, as well as an annual operating permit.

By replacing resistance heating with high-efficiency electric heat pumps, the project reduced peak electrical demand — avoiding the need for an electrical planning report or utility-led capacity study. CCS used a simple worksheet to compare wattage removed versus added and to show that the corresponding heating capacity was sufficient. No engineering or architectural involvement was required and no heat loss calculations were necessary.