In a move aimed at reducing carbon emissions, Western University will be upgrading one of its natural gas boilers with an electric version.
The post secondary institution received nearly $4.75 million in federal funding from carbon tax proceeds to help make the switch.
Five traditional boilers have been installed at Western since 1963 for heating buildings and hot water for washrooms, kitchens, and laboratories. Western also supplies steam to University Hospital.
The system, which currently uses natural gas, is responsible for 75 per cent of the university’s carbon emissions. Steam from electric power would help cut thousands of tonnes from Western’s total emissions.
"It will help us achieve our commitment to reducing emissions 45 per cent by 2030 and then, by 2050, achieving net-zero emissions on campus," Associate Vice-President of Facilities Management, Andrew Konowalchuk said.
The university announced Thursday that the federal government will provide a portion of the $16 million needed to replace one of the schools aging natural gas boilers with the new greener version.
"Anywhere we have that ability to replace aging infrastructure in a way that’s also aligned with our carbon reduction goals, it’s a win-win," Konowalchuk said.
Western, McMaster University, and York University are all receiving federal funding from the Decarbonization Incentive Program, which funnels carbon tax proceeds to clean technology projects.
Western's efforts to reduce carbon emissions aren't limited to the boilers. The university is installing electric vehicle charging stations, adopting renewable energy sources like solar panels, and retrofitting old buildings to improve efficiency.
Western's first net-zero building, which is currently under construction, will feature solar panels, triple pane windows and a geothermal heating and cooling system.
Plans to install the new electric boiler and decommission the old one will begin soon and installation is planned to start in 2024.
