Aerial Thermal Imaging and Building Energy Efficiency Upgrades in Waterloo Region
Using Aerial Thermal Imaging to Motivate Energy Efficiency Upgrades
Cutting emissions from Waterloo Region’s residential and commercial buildings sectors will require large-scale investments in energy efficiency upgrades. Governments and utilities have been promoting such retrofits for decades, yet uptake remains low.
This pilot project explored the potential for a new tool to overcome the awareness barrier to investing in upgrades: aerial thermal imaging. With this tool, each homeowner and commercial building owner or manager can access an aerial thermal image of their home/building and compare its performance to that of others in the community. The visual images and social comparison are meant to motivate owners to invest in building energy audits/assessments and energy efficiency upgrades.
This pilot project explored the potential for a new tool to overcome the awareness barrier to investing in upgrades: aerial thermal imaging. With this tool, each homeowner and commercial building owner or manager can access an aerial thermal image of their home/building and compare its performance to that of others in the community. The visual images and social comparison are meant to motivate owners to invest in building energy audits/assessments and energy efficiency upgrades.
Active Transportation Hubs
Active transportation hubs, which are welcoming spaces with programs and supports for active travel, can help those interested overcome many of these barriers and develop new active travel behaviours. These hubs may be available to local residents on a full time or part time basis, offering programs such as DIY bike repair, workshops, buddy programs, educational and awareness campaigns, trip planning and others. In addition, these hubs can promote, expand and enhance existing active transportation programs, ensuring they reach underserved communities and address their unique barriers.
The Effect of Aerial Thermal Imaging on Motivating Investments in Energy Efficiency
Commercial buildings were targeted with a community-based approach through a local Business Improvement Area organization, and residential buildings were targeted with three different engagement strategies: a community-based approach, a personalized approach, and a passive approach.
A significant percentage of building owners and managers actively sought out information about their building’s thermal performance and two home energy audits were booked as a result of this pilot project. However, such a major investment decision often takes far longer than the 2-3 months available for this pilot project. The COVID-19 pandemic was also a complicating factor: adding stress to people’s lives, straining the finances of commercial businesses and some homeowners, and making people hesitant to invite tradespeople into their homes or businesses.
Yet, research into the outcomes of similar projects suggest that aerial thermal imaging is insufficient on its own to motivate investments in energy efficiency. Rather, the visualization and social comparison tools may be most useful as a part of a suite of programs aimed at motivating energy efficiency upgrades.
These tools, especially if marketed using a personalized approach, could address the awareness barrier and boost the effectiveness of programs that address other barriers to energy efficiency upgrades.
A significant percentage of building owners and managers actively sought out information about their building’s thermal performance and two home energy audits were booked as a result of this pilot project. However, such a major investment decision often takes far longer than the 2-3 months available for this pilot project. The COVID-19 pandemic was also a complicating factor: adding stress to people’s lives, straining the finances of commercial businesses and some homeowners, and making people hesitant to invite tradespeople into their homes or businesses.
Yet, research into the outcomes of similar projects suggest that aerial thermal imaging is insufficient on its own to motivate investments in energy efficiency. Rather, the visualization and social comparison tools may be most useful as a part of a suite of programs aimed at motivating energy efficiency upgrades.
These tools, especially if marketed using a personalized approach, could address the awareness barrier and boost the effectiveness of programs that address other barriers to energy efficiency upgrades.
This report was prepared for ClimateActionWR.