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Access Richmond Hill

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Solar panels for solar energy

Sustainable Energy

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HomeFind or Learn AboutEnvironment and SustainabilitySustainable Energy

More in this Section...

Richmond Hill promotes sustainable energy use to lower energy consumption and associated costs, improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. 

ClimateWise Building Challenge  

Richmond Hill is proud to participate in the ClimateWise Building Challenge, a York Region-wide, friendly awards and recognition competition created to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve building energy efficiency through collaboration, education, and innovation.

This free initiative, run by the ClimateWise Business Network, is open to building owners, property managers, and tenants who want to take climate action. Recognition and achievements will be presented throughout the competition at a regional level. View the Challenge FAQs to learn more.

The ClimateWise Business Network also offers free support with Ontario’s Energy and Water Reporting and Benchmarking (EWRB) program, aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing consumption costs for commercial, industrial or multi-unit residential buildings over 50 000 square feet. Visit windfallcentre.ca/climatewise/benchmarking or call 289-648-4107 for further details.

Corporate sustainable energy management 

We're doing our part to save energy, money and the environment by installing energy efficient systems in municipal buildings.  We also encourage developers to construct energy-efficient homes and buildings in our community, and to strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders (e.g. Alectra Utilities formerly PowerStream) to promote energy efficiency and conservation at home.

Annual Energy Consumption and GHG Emissions Report

In accordance with Ontario Regulation 507/18 under the Electricity Act, Richmond Hill annually reports and publishes the energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of City facilities in the Energy Consumption and GHG Emissions Report.

In 2020, our overall energy consumption decreased by 20.7% and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions decreased by 17.8% as compared to 2019. This decrease was mainly due to closure of City facilities in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

View the 2020 Energy Consumption and GHG Emissions Report.

You can get a paper copy of these reports through the Office of the Clerk, located at:

225 East Beaver Creek Road, Ground Floor
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3P4 

Five-year Energy Conservation and Demand Management Plan

The Electricity Act requires municipalities to develop and publish energy conservation and demand management plans (Corporate Energy Plans) and to update these plans every five years.  In 2014, Richmond Hill developed its first five-year Corporate Energy Plan, which established the foundation for energy management in City facilities.

In 2019, Richmond Hill updated its Corporate Energy Plan. The 2019 plan will guide the City’s energy management efforts over the next 5 years (2019 - 2023) and it will continue to take a proactive approach to reducing energy consumption and costs. The plan details the projects that will be implemented over the next five years along with the expected energy and cost savings.

View the 2019-2023 Corporate Energy Plan Summary Report.

The full version of the 2019-2023 Corporate Energy Plan, which contains a more in-depth analysis of energy consumption, as well as the details of the projects implemented as part of the 2014-2018 Corporate Energy Plan, is available upon request.

The hard copy of the Corporate Energy Plan (summarized version or the full technical version) can be obtained from the Energy Section in the Corporate Asset Management and Environment Services Division, located at the:

Main Municipal Offices
225 East Beaver Creek Road – 2nd floor
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3P4

Renewable energy systems 

Richmond Hill demonstrates its commitment to becoming a leader in sustainable energy use by installing renewable energy systems in City buildings.

Renewable energy systems installed in City buildings:

Building

Renewable Energy System

Year of Installation

Bayview Hill Community Centre and Pool

Solar water heaters

2010

Bond Lake Arena

Solar water heaters

2010

Elgin Barrow Arena

Solar water heaters

2010

Elgin West Community Centre and Pool

Solar water heaters

2014

Elvis Stojko Arena

PV solar electricity

2014

Eyer Homestead

Ground source heat pump

2011

Forster Farm House

Ground source heat pump

2010

Main Municipal Offices

Solar water heaters

2008

Richmond Green Sports Complex

PV solar electricity

2009

Richmond Green Sports Complex

Wind turbine

2009

Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts

Ground source heat pump

2009

Shaw House

PV solar electricity

2010

 

Outdoor lights conversion to LED project

Outdoor lighting in Richmond Hill takes up a large part of our overall energy usage. There are about 16,000 streetlights, 350 parking lot lights and 1,200 park lights in Richmond Hill.

Until recently, most of our lights were High Pressure Sodium (HPS) luminaires. In 2019, Richmond Hill converted a majority of its outdoor lights from HPS to energy-efficient Light-Emitting Diode (LED) lights. A total of 11,700 streetlights, 700 park lights and 330 parking lot lights were converted to LEDs to reduce energy consumption, costs and associated GHG emissions. As a result of this conversion, the City is saving $650,000 per year in energy costs.

Community sustainable energy management

The community can also help support Richmond Hill's goals for sustainable energy:

Energy efficiency tips

Richmond Hill encourages energy efficiency through programs such as Earth Hour. The following tips can help you reduce energy use and costs in your home:

  • Install a programmable thermostat to avoid unnecessary heating and cooling of your home
  • Use ceiling fans to cool your house and circulate air whenever possible
  • Use power bars for multiple appliances that can be shut off when not in use
  • Draft-proofing your home by adding weather-stripping to doors and windows ensures that cool air stays in your home during the summer and hot air during the winter
  • Leave window coverings open during the day to let the sunlight naturally warm your house in the winter
  • Switch your lighting from less efficient bulbs to compact fluorescents and Light-Emitting Diode (LEDs).
  • Install energy-efficient appliances, such as fridges, washers, driers and dishwashers
  • Wrap your hot water tank with an insulating blanket, especially when it's located in an unheated area
  • Wrap hot water pipes with insulating material and fix leaking faucets
  • Set the thermostat on your hot water tank to a reasonable temperature
  • Change furnace filters regularly to save up to five per cent of energy use (every other month or monthly if you have pets)

Learn more power-saving tips.

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