b'CHIEF OPERATING OFFICERS MESSAGEKEN LANCASTLE, MCAC Chief Operating OfficerMEETING TARGETS REQUIRES GROWINGTHE MECHANICAL CONTRACTING SECTOR R esearch shows that HVAC trades will be theFor Canadas mechanical contracting sector, the most in demand across Canada betweenindustrys skills, technical expertise and capacity will 2022 to 2050. Ensuring net-zero successall be essential to achieve these ambitious goals. requires guaranteeing their availability.The Critical Role ofAs governments and jurisdictions across Canadathe Mechanical Sectorexamine different strategies to address energyWith space and water heating alone accounting for efficiency and the reduction of greenhouse gas78 per cent of all emissions in a building, the role emissions, the vertical infrastructure (or the builtof mechanical systems and the mechanical sector is environment) across the country is being looked atsignificant. Any efforts to achieve net-zero or reduce for its emission-reducing potential.emissions from a building will require engagement Today, Canadas built environmentmore than 16from the mechanical contracting sector, from design million dwellings and close to 500,000 commercialto installation to service, repair and maintenance.and public buildingsgenerates 13 to 18 per centAs an illustration, the Canada Green Building of direct greenhouse gas emissions and representsCouncil, in its recent Green Retrofit Economy the third-highest source of emissions in the country.Study, noted the mechanical systems in the built In some major metropolitan areas, buildings mayenvironment will have multiple pathways to help even represent the greatest source of emissions.achieve increased energy efficiency, primarily This, combined with the median age of verticalthrough electrification. This would include the infrastructure now nearing 40 to 50 years, meansinstallation of dedicated air-to-water heat pump the built environment is at a critical stage when itsystems for hot water heating, heat pump systems comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions andfor heating and cooling, or the installation of energy increasing energy efficiency.recovery ventilators for ventilation systems. The Government of Canada has set ambitiousOf course, there are several factors to be considered targets for the built environment, and in Julywhen looking at increased energy efficiency, 2022, released the Canada Green Buildings Strategyincluding the type of building and its occupants, Discussion Paper highlighting its goals: a net-zerothe capability of the electrical grid to meet required emissions and climate-resilient buildings sector bydemands and, in the case of retrofits, the age of the 2050, and a 37-per-cent emissions reduction vertical infrastructure. Ultimately, though, it will by 2030.be the mechanical systems (and the mechanical Complete solutions for energy storage and distributionRadiant, Snowmelt, Plumbing and Oil Storagewww.Roth-America.comCall 888-266-768420 www.mcac.ca'