Mechanical equipment and HVAC system efficiency offer the most impactful opportunity for active energy and carbon reduction across all fuel types. To achieve decarbonization goals, building management should plan to replace end-of-life, inefficient or high carbon equipment with high efficiency, low carbon options as part of asset renewals.

Heat recovery should be considered for all systems as a strategy for reducing consumption.

Electrification works toward elimination of carbon emissions related to onsite combustion and improves opportunities for reduced electricity-related emissions through energy supply from clean grids (either now or in the future) and the use of renewable energy.

Cooling systems that use high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants can have a significant contribution to a building’s carbon emissions, through fugitive emissions that occur during leaks or recharging. Low GWP systems are recommended.