Elgin Gardens

Project Overview

Elgin Gardens provides affordable, independent rental housing for seniors in Victoria’s Oak Bay neighborhood. Like many older multi-unit buildings, its domestic hot water (DHW) system relied on natural gas, contributing to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and rising operating costs.

Challenge

For seniors’ housing, reliable hot water is essential, but conventional gas-fired systems run counter to regional and provincial climate goals. Baptist Housing sought a way to modernize building systems while reducing emissions and improving long-term cost stability.

Solution

The existing gas-fired DHW system was replaced with a Hubbell domestic hot water heat pump system paired with storage tanks and modern controls. This retrofit allows Elgin Gardens to generate hot water efficiently from electricity, aligning with CleanBC’s electrification strategy.

Results

• Lower GHG Emissions: Eliminated on-site combustion for DHW, cutting a major source of building emissions

• Operational Efficiency: Improved system efficiency and more predictable utility costs

• Resident Benefit: Seniors enjoy reliable hot water with a quieter, cleaner system

• Sustainability Leadership: Positions Elgin Gardens as an example of how affordable seniors’ housing can successfully decarbonize

By adopting a Hubbell DHW heat pump, Elgin Gardens has reduced its carbon footprint while continuing to provide safe and affordable housing for seniors. This project demonstrates how small-to-medium residential buildings can play a role in community-wide climate action.