C11 -- A ‘Just Transition’ for Renovations PDF

An opportunity was presented to study the issue of cold, damp, uncomfortable and unhealthy homes and to implement improvements using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as a platform. Advancing the typical residential HVAC system from a traditional forced air system to a hybrid forced air / hydronic radiant system created comfort, improved air quality, reduced energy consumption and costs, and reduced the risk of fire-related deaths. North American Indigenous Ecological Knowledge of using radiant heat from rocks to heat the Tipi can play a significant role in improving comfort and energy efficiency in the existing North American housing stock. A simple and well-designed HVAC shift created a ‘Just Transition’ to help to meet the 2030 and 2050 sustainability goals outlined in the Paris Accord.