New Guide Helps BC Condo Residents Prepare for Extreme Heat
23-Jun-2026.
A new guide is drawing attention to the risks of heat waves in condominiums, and the steps residents and strata councils can take to reduce them.
“Safe indoor temperatures are crucial for health and safety,” said Dr. Michael Schwandt, medical health officer with Vancouver Coastal Health. “Practical guidance can help to protect residents during extreme heat events.”
The report noted that more than one-quarter of British Columbians live in condominiums and apartments, and increasingly hot summers are creating new health and comfort challenges for residents. Climate projections suggest that by 2050, Vancouver could experience nearly five times more days above 30°C than it does today.
The Zero Emissions Innovation Centre, through its Strata Energy Advisor program, has created the Cooler Condos guide, targeted towards the millions of British Columbians living in condos.
“We’re hearing from condo owners across BC that they want safer, cooler, and more resilient homes, but many don’t know where to start,” said Melina Scholefield, executive director of the Zero Emissions Innovation Centre (ZEIC). “Cooler Condos was created to help strata communities better understand overheating risks and navigate practical solutions that improve comfort, health, and long-term building performance.”
The guide identifies which buildings and residents are more vulnerable to extreme heat, including seniors, people with chronic health conditions, and residents living in upper-floor suites without cooling systems.
Cooler Condos focuses on measures that can permanently reduce or eliminate overheating risk. The guide explores both active and passive cooling solutions, including heat pumps, exterior shading, ventilation improvements, and green infrastructure strategies.
The publication also addresses practical considerations unique to strata buildings, including bylaws, electrical planning, and retrofit coordination, while encouraging neighbour check-ins and emergency preparedness during extreme heat events.
Cooler Condos is a publication of the Strata Energy Advisor, a Zero Emissions Innovation Centre program, delivered in partnership with the Condominium Home Owners Association of BC. BC Hydro provided funding for the development of this guide.
