“I really vomited. I woke up and I really felt like I was going to faint,” the Coquitlam resident said.

Perez said her first task was her dog Lola. They showered nearly 12 times a day just to keep it cool, and then she finally found an air-conditioned dog sitter. But her two pet fish and frog died due to the high temperature.

“It changed the way I see the world,” she said. “This is just a nightmare for me.”

When Southern B.C. baked under record-breaking conditions, Lethal temperature In the days of late June, residents like Perez have been worried about their living conditions — and whether these unprecedented events will become More common in climate change.

Although residents are scrambling to find air conditioners, experts say that the hot temperature is an opportunity for homeowners and developers to reconsider how to better keep their houses cool.

BC lacks air conditioning and cooling systems

Acqua Shatz, the vice chairman of the Canadian Green Building Council, explained that because the province’s climate is expected to be milder and many buildings in British Columbia lack cooling, the council focuses on sustainable building practices.

“So you end up with these, for example, glass towers that are basically used to bake people, because they are designed with neither open airflow nor real heat absorption,” she said.

During the historic heat wave last week, some residents in BC had to buy air conditioners and new HVAC systems-but most of them sold out quickly.

Bobby Watt, the owner of Vancouver-based Watt HVAC, said that since the temperature began to climb, he has seen an increase of nearly 575% in phone and website visits from people who want to install air-conditioning.

On June 28, BC Hydro announced that the province’s electricity demand reached 8,516 megawatts. This broke the record of more than 600 megawatts, which is equivalent to turning on 600,000 portable air conditioners.

However, air-conditioning units are the most energy-efficient models on the market. According to BC Hydro, they generally consume 10 times more energy than central air-conditioning systems or heat pumps.

The experts did not focus on quick fixes like AC, but outlined several long-term and more efficient infrastructure solutions.

Heat pump

Schatz said that, unlike air conditioners, installing a heat pump can both cool the house and heat it. When it cools, the heat pump extracts the heat from your home and moves it back outdoors.

According to BC Hydro, the energy efficiency of the heat pump is increased by 50% compared to a typical window air-conditioning unit. On average, their purchase and installation costs range from US$4,000 to US$10,000.

Schatz also encourages homeowners Research on Provincial Tax Rebate May be available and get guidance from local Energy consultant.

Radiant cooling

Adam Rysanek, assistant professor of environmental systems at the University of British Columbia, explained that radiant cooling uses special panels with chilled water to cool walls and ceilings.

When a person stands next to or under them, their body heat will radiate to these cool panels.

Rysanek said that compared to a typical central air conditioning system, radiant cooling can save 25% to 60% of energy.

More middle floors, less high floors

As a larger choice, experts say that developers should reconsider the size and design of our buildings.

UBC urban design expert Patrick Condon said that although high-altitude landscapes are popular, it is wise to give priority to mid-rise buildings.

“These buildings are easier to shade each other, especially on the west side, and they are not so high that you can’t do simple things like planting trees,” he explained.

Condon said that at the urban planning level, trees are essential for cooling because the air in the canopy may be five degrees lower.

Smaller floor-to-ceiling windows

For our buildings, experts also recommend using smaller floor-to-ceiling windows to provide more thermal insulation on the external walls.

According to BC Hydro, apartments made of glass have poor insulation properties, allowing cold air to escape easily and reflecting hot air into the building.

‘A fairly difficult task’

Although these solutions are more energy efficient, experts admit that they are not quick solutions, especially for old buildings.

Tony Gioventu, executive director of the BC Condominium Owners Association, said: “Whether you are in a duplex apartment or in a strata with 250 units, this is a very difficult task.”

Gioventu agrees that heat pumps and major upgrades are the best solution. Although not every tenant can afford the cost of renovation, he said that the property manager and stratification committee can prioritize cooling solutions and ask the following questions: Does the building have heat pump power capacity? Will the transformation lead to future disasters? How will it be maintained?

As for Perez, when she finally felt the cool breeze drop a bit with the temperature, it was an exciting time.

“I started crying—like, I’m so happy,” she said.

In response to future heat waves, Perez plans to buy portable air conditioners when they have them. However, if her heat-related discomfort persists, she said her next step is to now consider moving to a building with a better cooling system.