Heating, ventilation & AC upgrades improve care—and the climate

Every day, patients and staff walk through our doors expecting something simple but essential: a safe, comfortable and reliable care environment. Much of that depends on how well our facilities heat, cool and circulate air. 

From keeping surgical suites at the right temperature to ensuring long-term care residents are comfortable through heat waves and cold snaps, our heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are vital. 

We continually and actively work behind the scenes to maintain a reliable infrastructure with an eye on longevity. That means visitors to our facilities won’t have to worry about HVAC systems breaking down or being disrupted—critical during extreme weather events like heat domes.

Managing energy in these systems isn’t just about equipment: it’s about protecting health, ensuring safety, and being responsible stewards of public resources.

Lowering our carbon footprint and extending the life of our infrastructure by retrofitting buildings so they’re more resilient are two ways we’re advancing climate action.

When replacing needed equipment as part of asset planning, we focus on installing lower-emission and more climate-resilient options. We’re also building new facilities with the changing climate in mind.

Our plans are guided by two documents:

• The Climate Change and Sustainability Roadmap (CCSR) 2023-2028 was developed to advance sustainability and climate change action at IH, offering a suite of guiding principles, goals and 20 actions to guide IH towards a more sustainable future.
• The Strategic Energy Management Plan (SEMP) 2022–2023 details how we will meet our long-term greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets and CleanBC provincial emission reduction goals, while minimizing costs for infrastructure replacement and energy utilities.

Some of these goals include:

• Reduce energy-use-intensity (energy use per square metre) by 30 per cent by 2030
• Diversify heating sources from fossil fuels to clean energy by 70 per cent by 2030
• Reduce our emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and 80 per cent by 2050 to meet provincial emission reduction goals
• Taking action to reduce climate risks and adapt our operations and facilities to enhance climate resilience.

A new edition of the SEMP is coming soon. The new plan will build on the key successes delivered so far and include new initiatives to keep IH as an industry leader in creating sustainable and resilient health-care systems.

“When planning new health-care facilities or upgrading existing ones, we carefully consider how to not only enhance our systems but also to integrate proactive strategies that address climate risks,” says Amanda McKenzie, manager, Environmental Sustainability for Interior Health. “This approach allows us to design resilient infrastructure that can adapt to the evolving challenges posed by climate change.” 

Learn more about IH’s commitment to sustainability 

Behind the scenes are teams and leaders propelling our projects forward:  Plant Services, Capital Planning and Projects, P3 Operations, Energy Management and Environmental Sustainability.

“When we invest in heating and cooling upgrades, we’re investing in people,” says Lynne Seidler, corporate director, Capital Planning and Projects. “These improvements go far beyond energy efficiency. They create environments where patients heal more comfortably, residents live more safely, and staff can focus on care instead of comfort challenges. Better air quality and consistent indoor temperatures mean healthier spaces and stronger communities for everyone who depends on our care.”

Across IH, more than 10 heating and cooling upgrades are underway, replacing aging boilers, chillers and air conditioners with modern systems that provide steadier comfort for patients and staff.

Through the Climate Change and Sustainability Roadmap and the Strategic Energy Management Plan, we’re committed to meeting provincial climate goals while delivering excellent care.

At every level of our organization, from plant services to senior leadership, we’re leading with innovation and collaboration, and proving that sustainable health care is not only possible, but also essential.

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