Lanark County and Smiths Falls taxpayers will pay considerably more for the installation of new natural gas boilers and associated infrastructure for 3 social housing buildings rather than the installation of mini-split air source heat pumps. As we experience more very hot days each summer, these heat pumps also provide extremely energy efficient, quiet air conditioning. The buildings are located in Perth, Smiths Falls and Almonte. 

The units currently have electric baseboard heaters. The newer cold weather heat pumps are efficient to at least – 25 degrees C with some heating efficiently to – 30 C. They heat 3 or 4 times more efficiently and inexpensively than the electric baseboard heaters currently in use. 

The existing baseboard heaters can be left in place as backup for the occasional times that temperatures drop below – 20 to – 30 C. The mini-split heat pumps can be installed with minimum disruption to the residents. The costs to heat and cool the units would be drastically reduced whereas gas prices will continue to rise significantly.

In 2022 Lanark County Council passed Climate Action Tables and a motion to view all proposals through a Climate Lens. Installing new fossil fuel infrastructure at this time of climate disruption is counter to taking action on the climate emergency. As we work towards net zero carbon emissions, gas prices will increase and gas equipment will become stranded assets. Greener Affordable Housing Grants are available to Low Income Housing Providers to offset the cost of heat pumps.

Rally
On Wednesday March 22 at 5 pm, County Council will convene to consider a motion to approve a contract for $1.36 million to install the expensive, climate killing natural gas systems.

Please sign this petition, let your local council know that you signed it and join us for a rally in front of the Lanark County Administration building at 99 Christie Lake Rd in Perth at 4 pm on March 22.