Conservation and Sustainability at OCH
Reducing emissions, lowering costs, and building resilient communities across Ottawa
At Ottawa Community Housing, conservation and sustainability guide how we build, maintain, and operate our housing portfolio.
Guided by our Eco2Plan, we are advancing energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting long-term affordability – while aligning with the City of Ottawa Climate Change Master Plan.
At A Glance
$79.6M
Utility savings since 2011
96%
Emissions reduction target by 2040
$4.2M
Clean energy generated since 2011
50%
Energy reduction in new builds
30
Communities equipped with waste diversion infrastructure since 2016
Driving Impact Across Our Communities
Delivering measurable results across our portfolio while supporting long-term sustainability:
- Lower operating costs through energy efficiency and clean energy generation
- Reduced environmental impact through lower emissions, energy, and water use
- Healthier communities through improved indoor environments
- Stronger asset performance through sustainable design and retrofits
- Reduce OCH’s 27,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions by 96% by 2040
- Support tenants and communities in reducing their environmental footprint
- Contribute to city-wide climate and sustainability targets
We integrate sustainability across all aspects of our work:
- Improving the energy efficiency of all buildings
- Using sustainable design methods for all new buildings and capital work
- Leading waste diversion and conservation programs by engaging tenants and staff.
Conservation and sustainability support key organizational priorities through our Strategic Plan. Energy upgrades, made possible through partnerships and innovation, improve tenant comfort and the client experience.
Powering Innovation Projects
We are expanding our electric vehicle fleet and adding chargers. In several communities, we are partnering with Communauto to offer car-share programs – improving mobility and reducing emissions.
All new developments are designed to the passive house standard, reducing heating and cooling energy use by up to 90%. Check out our under-construction projects to see what we are working on.
Our award-winning Total Cost of Building Ownership study demonstrates that a modest 3–5% increase in upfront costs can reduce energy use in new buildings by 50%. Click on the image to read the Strategic Summary.
Completed in 2021, this pilot retrofit uses prefabricated panels, upgraded windows and roofing, and a 34 kW solar system to significantly improve building performance. The project reduces heating energy use by 90% and generates more energy than the homes consume annually, in partnership with Natural Resources Canada.
2025 By the Numbers
31%
reduction in energy consumption in high-rise buildings through heating management systems
1 MW
of solar energy produced, spread among 37 communities
16,722
LED lights installed to improve efficiency
92,303 kWh
in energy savings, equivalent to powering 55 electric vehicles annually
673
energy-efficient fridges installed
84 buildings
with appliance upgrades, benefiting over 6,400 tenants
In the News
What’s next for housing sustainability? A converstion with Daniel Dicaire, Senior Manager of Sustainability and Conservation at OCH.
Ottawa Community Housing tenants plug into new electric vehicle carshare program.
OCAF Celebrates the Launch of the Ottawa Community Housing Electric Vehicle Car Sharing Program.
Savings by Design: Expert help in affordable housing solutions.