Supporting Peel Region Make-Up Air Optimization projects delivering operational savings and emissions reductions in community housing

Hamilton, ON: February 11, 2026 - In a time when housing providers are being asked to do more with less, and municipalities are balancing affordability, infrastructure pressures, and climate action all at once, it can be easy to assume progress requires massive budgets and long timelines.

But sometimes the most meaningful wins come from something much more practical: making the buildings we already have run better.

NERVA Energy is proud to share the completion of a series of Make-Up Air (MUA) optimization projects delivered with the Peel Region, Peel Housing Corporation (PHC), and participating community housing providers. Across eight multi-residential buildings, these upgrades are expected to deliver meaningful reductions in natural gas consumption and electricity demand, helping lower operating costs while contributing to real, measurable emissions reductions.

This work reflects a good news trifecta that communities across Canada are urgently seeking: better operating buildings, responsible financial stewardship, and tangible environmental impact.

“At Peel, we’re committed to ensuring every investment delivers meaningful value for the people we serve. These Make Up Air optimization projects demonstrate how thoughtful, evidence based upgrades can strengthen our housing system today while advancing the climate commitments that safe guard our community’s future. ”

Nando Iannicca,

Chair and Chief Executive Officer, Peel Region

The hidden opportunity in multi-residential buildings

Community housing is about far more than shelter. It is stability, dignity, and opportunity. Yet behind the scenes, operators face constant pressure: rising energy costs, aging equipment, tightening budgets, and growing expectations around emissions reductions.

In many multi-residential buildings, one of the largest drivers of energy waste is also one of the least visible to residents: the Make-Up Air unit.

Make-Up Air systems are essential to maintaining ventilation, air quality, and pressurization, but they are also one of the largest and most expensive natural gas loads in these buildings. The reason is straightforward: many systems run 24/7/365 and must continuously heat 100% outdoor air before distributing it through the building.

In older properties, the challenge is often compounded. MUA systems are frequently oversized, and over time ductwork can develop significant leakage. That means heated air that operators pay for never fully reaches the spaces it is meant to serve, driving up costs and forcing equipment to work harder than necessary.

The good news is that fixing this problem does not require a major mechanical overhaul.

Through NERVA’s Make-Up Air Optimization program, existing Make-Up Air ductwork is sealed from the inside out, restoring airtightness and ensuring airflow is delivered where it is intended. With that foundation in place, NERVA’s engineering team can tune, optimize, and calibrate system operation so ventilation aligns with real building demand, not legacy settings or worst-case assumptions.

The result is simple but powerful: less energy waste, stronger system performance, improved resident comfort, and measurable progress toward emissions reduction.

“These projects demonstrate what optimized performance really looks like in the field. When you restore duct airtightness and tune the system based on actual building requirements, you eliminate a significant amount of unnecessary heating and fan energy. The result is lower fuel consumption, more stable ventilation performance, and better comfort. It’s a practical example of how decarbonization can be achieved through engineering and operational excellence, not just equipment replacement. ”

Josh Lewis,

Chief Technical Engineer, NERVA Energy

A pilot built around impact and scalability

As part of an initial pilot, Peel Region completed projects at four Peel Housing Corporation buildings and supported implementation at four Community Housing Provider properties, including:

• Barbertown Co-operative Homes Inc.

• Dan Benedict Co-operative Homes Inc.

• Bayanihan Co-operative Homes Inc.

• Erin Court Co-operative Homes Inc

This initiative supports Peel Region’s objectives of improving energy efficiency, lowering building operating costs to free up funding for other critical priorities, and reducing GHG emissions in alignment with Canada’s Paris Accord commitments.

It is also a reminder that climate action doesn’t always need to be political or abstract. Sometimes it looks like this: a mechanical room upgrade that reduces fuel consumption every day, without disruption to residents, and without requiring a major capital project.

Financial stewardship that protects what matters most

Energy is not just a utility cost. For housing providers, it is often one of the largest controllable operating expenses. When energy waste is reduced, the benefits go far beyond the balance sheet. Every dollar not spent unnecessarily on fuel and electricity is a dollar that can be redirected to what matters most: maintenance, safety upgrades, resident programs, building renewal, and long-term building resilience.

This is where the partnership model behind these projects becomes especially important.

Enbridge Gas has played a critical role by providing incentives that significantly offset project costs and accelerate implementation. Through Enbridge’s incentive programming, participating affordable housing providers were eligible to recover up to 90% of project costs. In addition, the IESO Save on Energy program can cover up to 50% of remaining eligible costs, contributing to the overall outcome where approximately 95 cents of every dollar invested was recovered through incentives.

In total, the Peel Housing Corporation projects received over $296,000 in incentives, while the four community housing partners collectively received more than $226,000.

That is not just a “nice to have”. It is an enabling condition for action, allowing efficiency improvements to move forward without competing against urgent repairs or other operational priorities.

“With our enhanced Affordable Housing Incentives, our goal at Enbridge Gas, is to help create a pathway forward on energy efficiency, and bring lasting benefits to our customers.”

Eduardo Romero,

Advisor, Energy Solutions - Affordable Housing, Enbridge

Celebrating the work: Cheque presentation ceremony on February 9, 2026

To recognize the successful completion of the projects and the incentive contributions that made them possible, Enbridge Gas will host a cheque presentation ceremony on February 9, 2026.

At the event, Enbridge Gas will present cheques to Peel Housing Corporation (PHC) and four community housing providers: Barbertown Co-operative Homes Inc., Dan Benedict Co-operative Homes Inc., Bayanihan Co-operative Homes Inc., and Erin Court Co-operative Homes Inc. Photos from the ceremony will be included in this story.

“These projects highlight building performance for residents while reducing energy waste and emissions. By working together, we’re demonstrating climate leadership that is practical, financially responsible, and focused on the well being of the people who live in these homes.”

Nando Iannicca,

Chair and Chief Executive Officer,

Peel Region

“Strong partnerships, supported by the right incentives, unlock more than energy savings. They help preserve housing affordability, strengthen resilience, and deliver lasting value for the communities we serve.”

Eduardo Romero,

Advisor, Energy Solutions - Affordable Housing, Enbridge

This moment is more than symbolic. It represents a measurable return on collaboration and a clear example of how partnerships can unlock community-wide progress.

A clear win for residents, operators, and the broader community

Overall, this program represents a minimal net capital investment while delivering lower operating costs, improved resident comfort, enhanced system performance, and measurable progress toward decarbonization.

This is what effective climate action looks like when it is done well:

• It improves lives today.

• It protects public dollars.

• It reduces emissions without disruption.

“What stood out to me about this initiative is how aligned the partners were around outcomes that matter: protecting operating budgets, improving building performance, and reducing emissions. With the Region of Peel’s leadership and strong incentive support from Enbridge Gas and IESO Save on Energy, we were able to deliver improvements that are technically meaningful and financially responsible, and that will keep generating value year after year.”

Josh Lewis, Chief Technical Engineer,

NERVA Energy

NERVA Energy is honoured to support the Peel Region and its housing partners in delivering this work, and we look forward to building on this momentum to drive even greater impact in the years ahead.

To learn more about NERVA’s Make-Up Air Optimization program,

visit: nervaenergy.com/mua-program

About NERVA Energy

NERVA Energy is a distinguished multidisciplinary engineering firm, renowned for its cutting-edge energy performance solutions. With an elite team composed of seasoned energy engineers, M&E engineers, and seasoned in-house mechanical technicians, NERVA is steadfast in its commitment to delivering turn-key solutions. These solutions not only amplify building energy efficiency but are also backed by a steadfast financial performance guarantee.

To learn more about the company and our services, visit:

www.nervaenergy.com