When it comes to making your home more energy-efficient, there’s no single magic solution — it’s about making the right choices for your lifestyle, climate, and budget. Whether you’re upgrading an existing home (retrofit) or building new, the principles are similar, but the approach is different. Retrofits focus on replacing existing systems and improving what’s already in place, while new construction allows for an integrated design approach where efficiency is built in from the start.
Let’s walk through some of the most impactful systems you can upgrade, from space and water heating to ventilation, and see how they compare. Remember, these are just a few of the many options available. The best choice for you will depend on your home and how you use it.
Water Heating Systems
Conventional Water Heaters
Think of these as the dependable old workhorses. They’re reliable and inexpensive to install, but not the most efficient. They keep a big tank of hot water using natural gas or electricity, which means you’ll likely pay more on your monthly bills over time.
Heat Pump Water Heaters
These are like a fridge in reverse; they move heat from the surrounding air into the water. This makes them two to three times more efficient than gas or electric heaters. They’re ideal for warmer areas in your home, such as a mild basement, but they do cost more upfront.
On-Demand (Tankless) Water Heaters
No more keeping a whole tank hot all day. This heat water only when you need it. They’re compact and efficient, great for small households. The downside? If multiple showers are running simultaneously, they may struggle to keep up.
Retrofit tip: Replacing an old tank with a heat pump or tankless unit can save energy
New construction tip: Right-sizing the system during design ensures optimal efficiency and comfort throughout the home’s lifespan
Heating and Cooling Systems
Air Source Heat Pumps
These pull heat from the outside air and move it indoors. They’re easier and cheaper to install than groundsource systems, but in very cold weather, their efficiency can drop, although newer models are much better at handling low temperatures.
Ground Source (Geothermal) Heat Pumps
These take heat from the ground, which remains at a steady temperature throughout the year. They’re highly efficient in any climate. The trade-off? Installing the underground loops is a bigger, more expensive project.
Dual-Fuel Systems
These combine an electric heat pump with a high-efficiency gas furnace. The heat pump handles most of the heating efficiently, but the furnace takes over during very cold spells. This can be a cost-effective, flexible option in colder climates.
Adaptive Heating & Cooling Systems: The iFlow System
The iFlow hydronic air handler isn’t just a heating powerhouse—it’s a full dual‑mode system that works as part of a combination heating and cooling setup. It can draw heat from the air, ground, or waste sources and enable cooling when combined with standard air conditioning or heat pump systems. Models like the iFLH18000W deliver up to ~94,600 BTU/hr of heating and 2–4 tons of cooling for efficient, year-round comfort.
Retrofit tip: Switching from an older furnace or air conditioner to a modern heat pump or an iFlow system can significantly reduce energy use, as both can connect to existing ductwork and improve efficiency.
New construction tip: Design ductwork, insulation, and water heating with heat pumps or the iFlow in mind from the start to maximize comfort and performance.
Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs)
In airtight, well-insulated homes, fresh air can be a challenge, and that’s where ERVs shine. They swap stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air while keeping most of the heat (and sometimes moisture) inside. That means better air quality without wasting the energy you’ve already paid to heat or cool.
Retrofit tip: An ERV can significantly enhance comfort in homes that have already been upgraded with insulation and air sealing.
New construction tip: Plan for ERVs in the design to ensure continuous fresh air with minimal energy loss.
Before upgrading equipment or planning new construction, it’s worth examining the “shell” of your home. A tight, well-insulated building envelope keeps heated and cooled air where it belongs. Improving the envelope reduces overall energy demand, which means your heating and cooling systems can be smaller, run less often, and save you more money over time.
Our upcoming blog will take a deeper dive into building envelope strategies, so stay tuned for more details.
Bringing It All Together
An energy-efficient home isn’t just about one piece of equipment. An energy-efficient home is a coordinated system:
- Water heating that fits your household needs
- Heating and cooling that matches your climate (heat pumps, geothermal, or dual-fuel)
- Adaptive systems like iFlow to maximize efficiency
- ERVs for fresh, filtered air without energy waste
- Building envelope upgrades to lock in comfort and savings
When these technologies work together, you can lower utility costs, cut your environmental footprint, and make your home more comfortable year-round.
Real-World Example: The Wilden Living Lab NextGen Home
An example of these principles in action is the Wilden Living Lab NextGen Home. The NextGen Home integrates many of the energy-efficient systems discussed above, including an air source heat pump, a tankless water heater, and advanced ventilation, to optimize comfort and reduce environmental impact. Equipped with detailed sensors, it tracks real-time energy use, temperature, humidity, and air quality, giving researchers valuable data on how design choices and occupant behavior influence efficiency.
Energy-efficient systems installed in the NextGen Home
If you are planning an energy-efficient retrofit project or building a new home to higher levels of the BC Energy Step Code, check to see what FortisBC rebates are available.
The Next Generation Home sold in spring 2023 and data is being collected through sensors while the owners live in the house. Findings are being published on wildenlivinglab.com regularly. To follow the Wilden Living Lab, subscribe to the newsletter.
Useful References
- U.S. Department of Energy. Water heating. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/water-heating
- Natural Resources Canada. Buying a water heater. https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/homes
- Natural Resources Canada. Heat pumps. https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/heat-pumps
- U.S. Department of Energy. Heat pump systems. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/heat-pump-systems
- ENERGY STAR. Heat pumps https://www.energystar.gov/productfinder/product/certified-heat-pumps/results
- iFLOW Hydronic Systems. How iFLOW works. https://www.iflowhvac.com
- The iFLOW Hybrid System. https://www.iflowhvac.com/iflow-hybrid-heating-systems/?utm
- iFlow 18000W Hydro Air Handler – the Largest iFlow Air Handler. https://bphsales.ca/products/iflow-hydronic-air-handler-iflh-18000w
