Canada Building Energy Modellers Networking Event_Header

How can energy models better reflect the uncertainty of the real world?

Join HH Angus’ Francisco Contreras July 7 at the Canada Building Energy Modellers Networking Event as he presents:

“Accounting for Real-World Uncertainty in Whole-Building Energy Modelling”

Energy models play a critical role in informing building design and performance decisions, but real-world conditions rarely behave exactly as predicted. Francisco explores approaches to incorporating uncertainty into whole-building energy modelling to support more resilient, informed decision-making.

Whether you're an experienced energy modeller or new to the field, this is a great opportunity to expand your network and stay current on emerging trends and best practices.

For more event details and to register, click below:
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/canada-building-energy-modellers-networking-event-toronto-july-2026-tickets-1991641216492

Lessons commercial real estate owners are learning about decarbonization retrofits.

On June 16^th, the Toronto Sustainability & Innovation Summit brought together industry leaders to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of sustainable buildings and infrastructure.

For HH Angus’ Mike Hassaballa, Consulting Lead, Energy Infrastructure, the focus was clearly on the need to move beyond high level Net Zero targets and more toward asset level planning, natural intervention points, life cycle cost thinking, operational readiness, and measurement of results.

The panel discussion on “Confronting the costs, logistics and ROI of deep retrofits as 2040 climate deadlines loom” stood out for its candid approach to a topic many building owners are currently grappling with: how to turn decarbonization commitments into achievable retrofit strategies. The conversation focused on how real estate owners, operators, and consultants are translating emissions reduction targets into practical retrofit strategies.

Here are Mike’s main takeaways:

1|

Decarbonization targets need to become real plans and projects: several speakers emphasized that portfolio level Net Zero commitments only become useful when translated into property-specific plans or projects. This includes credible energy and emissions data, building condition assessments, energy audits, capital plans, and long-term equipment renewal strategies.
One useful point was that these plans should not sit in a file. They need to actively inform capital planning and projects.

2|

Retrofit strategy is increasingly tied to business cases and financial reality: the discussion repeatedly came back to commercial alignment and dollars. Retrofit decisions are being shaped by tenant requirements, leasing considerations, affordability, investor expectations, regulation, capital availability, and local market pressures.
In Toronto, sustainability expectations are relatively strong, but owners are still balancing emissions goals with cost and tenant impact as the green premium is not there yet in this market.

3|

The best retrofit opportunities often align with natural equipment replacement: this is obvious, but the practical theme was the importance of timing. Owners are more likely to justify upgrades when equipment is already at end of life.
The business case becomes easier when the comparison is not the full cost of replacement, but the incremental premium between a standard replacement and a higher performance or lower carbon option.

4|

Traditional ROI is not enough for major decarbonization decisions: several speakers noted that simple payback works well for smaller efficiency measures but does not fully capture the value of deeper retrofits. Life cycle cost, avoided future risk, carbon exposure, refrigerant regulations, tenant expectations, and the cost of inaction all need to be part of the decision.
One example discussed was how delaying equipment upgrades can create much higher costs in future when refrigerant or system requirements change.

5|

Collaboration is critical: a recurring point was that sustainability teams cannot deliver these plans alone. Capital planning teams, construction teams, operations staff, tenants, utilities, municipalities, investors, and consultants all have a role.
One speaker noted that early collaboration with capital and construction teams can be difficult but, over time, those groups can become strong internal champions for sustainability.

6|

Operations and training matter as much as capital projects: the panel also emphasized the day-to-day side of decarbonization. Building operators need the right tools, training, and data to run increasingly complex systems. Examples included fault detection and diagnostics, submetering, alerts, ongoing optimization, and AI-enabled building automation support.
The point was that capital projects get attention, but operational discipline is what makes the savings real.

7|

Measurement and verification protect credibility: another useful takeaway was the importance of confirming whether retrofit capital is actually performing. Speakers discussed using property targets, submetering, and more detailed measurement and verification for larger projects, incentive programs, or projects involving shared savings.
This is important because proving results helps maintain internal confidence and supports future capital approvals.

8|

Light retrofit versus deep retrofit is often a timing question: from the engineering perspective, the question is not always whether a building needs a light or deep retrofit, but when the deeper intervention should happen. In many buildings, electrification may require major mechanical and electrical infrastructure changes, including service upgrades, heating plant replacement, and distribution system changes.
Smaller projects need to be aligned with that future pathway, so they do not create stranded investment.

9|

Retrofit value is showing up in several ways: the panel identified several sources of value, including lower operating costs, improved leasing competitiveness, tenant requirements, investor expectations, and long-term asset positioning.
The value case varies by market and asset class, but higher quality office assets and institutional investors appear to be creating stronger demand for credible retrofit action.

Overall, the discussion reinforced that the market is moving from broad sustainability commitments toward more practical questions: which assets need action, when should capital be deployed, how do we avoid stranded investments, how do we prove performance, and how do we align decarbonization with business value?

Want to continue the conversation on decarbonization retrofits? Contact:

Author | Mike Hassaballa, P.Eng., CEM
Consulting Lead
Energy Infrastructure

Paul Wilcock,
P.Eng.
Manager
Commercial

Tula Mitsakis, P.Eng.
Manager Commercial

HH Angus is proud to announce that we have once again been recognized as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies, marking our eighth consecutive year receiving this prestigious designation.

Now in our 107^th year in business, this achievement reflects more than strong business performance. It speaks to the leadership, resilience, adaptability, and shared commitment that continue to guide HH Angus as we grow, evolve, and service our clients in an increasingly complex environment.

Canada’s Best Managed Companies is one of the country’s leading business awards programs recognizing privately owned Canadian organizations that demonstrate excellence in strategy, capability, innovation, culture, financial performance, and sustained growth.

For HH Angus, this recognition is a reflection of the way we work: collaboratively, thoughtfully, and with a long-term view. It recognizes the strength of our management practices, the dedication of our teams, and our ongoing focus on delivering dependable, innovative, and technically strong solutions for our clients.

It is also a testament to the culture our people have built together. Across the firm, our employees bring expertise, creativity, accountability, and care to everything they do.

Paul Keenan, President of HH Angus noted: "Being named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the eighth consecutive year is a reflection of the dedication, talent, and integrity of our people. This recognition speaks to the strength of our leadership, the resilience of our business, the rigour of our management processes, and a deep commitment to delivering value to our clients. As we plan for the future, we remain focused on innovation, collaboration, and growth."

As we mark more than a century in business, we are proud to continue building on a legacy of resourceful, resilient, and forward-looking leadership. This recognition reinforces our commitment to strengthening the firm for the opportunities and challenges ahead.

We are honoured to stand alongside other leading Canadian companies that are setting the standard for business excellence.

HH Angus est fière d’annoncer qu’elle a été reconnue une fois de plus comme l’une des sociétés les mieux gérées au Canada, ce qui marque notre huitième année consécutive à recevoir cette prestigieuse désignation.

Cette réussite, qui s’inscrit dans notre 107^e année d’activité, est le reflet d’une performance commerciale plus que solide. Cela témoigne du leadership, de la résilience, de la capacité d’adaptation et de l’engagement commun qui continuent de guider HH Angus alors que nous grandissons, évoluons et servons nos clients dans un environnement de plus en plus complexe.

Le concours des sociétés les mieux gérées au Canada est l’un des principaux programmes de récompenses d’entreprise du pays. Il reconnaît les organisations canadiennes privées qui font preuve d’excellence en matière de stratégie, de capacités, d’innovation, de culture et de performances financières, et qui connaissent une croissance durable.

Pour HH Angus, cette reconnaissance est le reflet de la manière dont nous travaillons : en collaboration, de manière réfléchie et avec une vision à long terme. Elle témoigne de la qualité de nos pratiques de gestion, du dévouement de nos équipes et de notre engagement constant à fournir à nos clients des solutions fiables, innovantes et techniquement solides.

Elle témoigne également de la culture que nos collaborateurs ont su bâtir ensemble. Au sein de l’entreprise, nos employés font preuve d’expertise, de créativité, de responsabilité et d’attention dans tout ce qu’ils entreprennent.

Paul Keenan, président de HH Angus, a fait remarquer : « Le fait d’être nommée l’une des sociétés les mieux gérées au Canada pour la huitième année consécutive est le reflet du dévouement, du talent et de l’intégrité de notre personnel. Cette reconnaissance témoigne de la force de notre leadership, de la résilience de nos activités, de la rigueur de nos processus de gestion et d’un engagement profond à apporter de la valeur à nos clients. Alors que nous planifions l’avenir, nous restons concentrés sur l’innovation, la collaboration et la croissance. »

Alors que nous célébrons plus d’un siècle d’activité, nous sommes fiers de continuer à nous appuyer sur un héritage de leadership ingénieux, résilient et tourné vers l’avenir. Cette reconnaissance renforce notre engagement à renforcer l’entreprise afin d’être prêts à relever les défis et à saisir les occasions qui se présenteront.

Nous sommes honorés de figurer aux côtés d’autres grandes entreprises canadiennes qui font figure de référence en matière d’excellence commerciale.

Building Resilient and Net-Zero Hospitals for the Future_header

This week, Nick Stark and Ryan Kennedy are at the ASHRAE Conference in Chicago to share insights from one of Canada’s most ambitious healthcare projects.

Their session, “Building Resilient and Net-Zero Hospitals for the Future: A Spotlight on the Cowichan District Hospital Replacement Project,” explores how this landmark facility is redefining what sustainable, resilient, and inclusive healthcare design looks like.

As Canada’s first hospital to be certified ‘Zero Carbon Building - Design Standard’ by the CaGBC — and British Columbia’s first fully electric hospital — Cowichan is setting a new national benchmark. Beyond energy performance, it embeds Indigenous representation, pandemic preparedness, and patient-centred design into every layer of planning.

Delivered through an alliance procurement model, the project proves what’s possible when collaboration and innovation align — blending engineering, architecture, and cultural insight to create a hospital ready for the future.

We’re proud to be part of this movement toward net-zero healthcare infrastructure and the engineering solutions that will make it real.

CELEBRATING SUSTAINABILITY

Climate
Impact
Report
2025

Why We’re Doing This

Our vision is to expand what is possible, together, for a better future.

“We’re working to build a better, more sustainable business from the inside. Our climate action isn’t just about carbon, it’s about reducing waste, improving efficiency, and creating long-term value for our people and operations.” Paul Keenan, President

This report underscores our commitment to controlling our broader climate emissions impact as we publish this data and work to reduce our carbon footprint as a company.

Our Target

After calculating our 2023 emissions baseline, we set a target to reduce 2024 emissions by 5% per category per employee. We’re proud to report a 7.4% reduction was achieved.